PHILIP – After a rough start, the Philip Scotties hoped for a miracle to advance to the state championship game. And it nearly happened.
Deubrook Area forged an early three-score lead, then held on Friday for an 18-14 9A semifinal win when the Scotties just missed on a desperation pass to the end zone with 27 seconds left.
Lane Kuchenbecker’s heave was tipped twice before falling to the ground. Deubrook Area (8-3), who had to make a trip of around 300 miles from Brookings County, then ran out the last seconds.
Philip (10-1) was looking to make a state championship game for the first time since 2005, but fell behind 6-0 when Deubrook Area’s Gavin Landmark ran for a 91-yard touchdown on the Dolphins’ second play from scrimmage.
Landmark then had a three-yard touchdown run and a 50-yard touchdown reception from Jace Vomacka in the third quarter and Deubrook Area led 18-0.
The Scotties’ comeback came in the fourth quarter. Layton Terkildsen scored on a one-yard run with nine minutes left, then Kuchenbecker rushed for a 36-yard score with 4:07 left and Philip trailed by just 18-12.
Deubrook Area then fumbled the ball away in their own end zone just 10 seconds later and Philip recovered for a safety, setting up the Scotties’ decisive last possession.
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