VERMILLION – To repeat as 9AA state champions, the Platte-Geddes Black Panthers knew they would have to scrap. They did in winning three road playoff games to make the title game, and they did to win another championship.
Platte-Geddes scored in the fourth quarter Thursday to defeat Canistota/Freeman 14-8 at the DakotaDome. Dawson Hoffman threw the winning touchdown pass to Aiden Bultje with 3:33 remaining, the only touchdown in the second half.
Tage Ortman ran in a quarterback keeper from a yard out early in the second quarter, then a two-point conversion gave Canistota/Freeman an 8-0 lead.
Grayson Hanson brought Platte-Geddes within 8-6 with a one-yard touchdown in the last minute of the first half.
The score remained there until the fourth quarter. Chase Varilek intercepted a pass, the Black Panthers’ third interception of the game, to set up the winning score.
Grayson Hanson rushed for 83 yards for Platte-Geddes (10-2). Bultje caught five passes for 76 yards.
Isaiah Robertson rushed for 58 yards for Canistota/Freeman (7-5), which was denied a fourth straight championship. The Pride won the 9A titles in 2018, ‘19 and ‘20.
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