Sioux Falls Christian defeated Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 27-12 for the Class 11B Championship on Friday afternoon in Vermillion. This is the first ever state football title for the Sioux Falls Christian program.
The Chargers got the ball to start the game. It resulted in a 17 play drive that went 79-yards and took up over eight minutes of the clock. Chargers running back Tyler Van Horssen found the left edge for a 15-yard score, giving Sioux Falls Christian an early 6-0 lead.
The Seahwaks then got a chance on offense. They picked up one first down, but facing a third and long, Chargers defensive lineman Joel DeHaai came around the edge with a huge blind side sack – forcing Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan to punt.
End of the 1st Quarter: Sioux Falls Christian 6 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 0
The Chargers would use five minutes for their next scoring drive as they went 66-yards. It ended when running back Van Horssen once again found open space for a 12-yard touchdown run. With 6:55 to play in the first half, Sioux Falls Christian led Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 12-0.
Halftime: Sioux Falls Christian 12 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 0
Needing to get some momentum on their side, Seahawks senior defenisve back Brady Hawkins stepped in front of a Jacob Just's fourth down pass and intercepted the football. A big return gave Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan possession inside Sioux Falls Christian territory.
Running back Jamin Arend got the Seahwaks on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run, and at the 3:29 mark of the third quarter - Sioux Falls Christian led by just six-points.
End of the 3rd Quarter: Sioux Falls Christian 12 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 6
Dawson Mulder added an insurance score for the Chargers with a one-yard touchdown run. This gave Sioux Falls Christian a 20-6 lead with 6:36 to play in the game.
Gutsy? Yes! That’s what happened next as the Chargers attempted an onside kick, which they recovered, putting Sioux Falls Christian's offense back on the field with a 14-point lead in Seahawk territory.
Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan held strong on defense forcing a three-and-out, which led to a Chargers punt.
Needing a score, and fast, Seahawks quarterback Brady Hawkins hit two monster throws downfield to set up a 5-yard touchdown run by Arend, which made it a one possession game.
Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan failed to recover an onside kick, which put Sioux Falls Christian’s offense back on the field. And they would put the nail in the coffin as Parker Nelson broke free for a 29-yard touchdown run, making it a 27-12 game with a minute to play.
Final Score: Sioux Falls Christian 27 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 12
Joe Robbie Award: Running back Parker Nelson of Sioux Falls Christian is the recipient of the Class 11B Joe Robbie MVP award. He ran for 253-yards on 40 attempts (11B title game record), and had a rushing touchdown.
