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Platte-Geddes Goes Back-To-Back in 9AA

Platte-Geddes wins their second straight state 9AA title
2021 9AA Football - Platte-Geddes vs. Canistota/Freeman

A late game touchdown helped lift Platte-Geddes to a 14-8 state championship victory over Canistota/Freeman on Thursday night in the 9AA title game. The Black Panthers have gone back-to-back with state football championships.

Both teams traded offensive possessions to start the game. Platte-Geddes had a chance to jump on the board with a 40-yard field goal attempt midway through the opening quarter, but Jackson Olsen’s attempt went left of the mark.

End of the 1st Quarter: Canistota/Freeman 0 Platte-Geddes 0

Canistota/Freeman scored to open the second quarter as Quarterback Tage Ortman took it in from 13-yards out. After the two-point conversion, the Pride led 8-0. 

With 25-seconds to play in the half, running back Grayson Hanson ran it in from one-yard out for the Black Panthers. Platte-Geddes was unsuccessful on their two-point conversion, so Canistota/Freeman held a slight lead.

The Black Panthers caught another break before halftime as Chase Varilek picked off a desperation heave by Ortman. Platte-Geddes attempted a 48-yard field goal as time expired, but it came up short.

Halftime: Canistota/Freeman 8 Platte-Geddes 6

Much like the first half, the second half as well started with both teams going three-and-out on their first offensive possessions. Each defense continued to play well for the remainder of the third quarter.

End of the 3rd Quarter: Canistota/Freeman 8 Platte-Geddes 6

On the first play of quarter number four, Jackson Neuman won a jump ball battle to pick off an Ortman pass. But once again Canistota/Freeman’s defense held and forced a turnover on downs. Platte-Geddes would get the ball right back though as Chase Varilek intercepted an Ortman tipped pass near midfield.

With 3:33 to play in the game, Platte-Geddes found the end zone on a 9-yard pass from Dawson Hoffman to Aiden Bultje. The two-point conversion was successful, which gave the Black Panthers a late 14-8 lead.

Canistota/Freeman would turn it over on downs in their own territory with around two-minutes to play. The Pride did have three timeouts, but a couple of first downs by the Black Panthers sealed the victory for Platte-Geddes.

Final: Platte-Geddes 14 Canistota/Freeman 8

Dawson Hoffman threw for 97-yards and a touchdown for the Black Panthers, while Grayson Hanson ran for 83-yards with a touchdown as well. Taje Ortman had the lone touchdown for Canistota/Freeman.

This is Platte-Geddes’ second state title as a co-op. By themselves, Platte won state championships in 1986 and 1992 while Geddes won its lone title in 1982.

Nate Wek is currently the sports content producer and sports and rec beat reporter for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism Broadcasting and a minor in Leadership. From 2010-2013 Nate was the Director of Gameday Media for the Sioux Falls Storm (Indoor Football League) football team. He also spent 2012 and 2013 as the News and Sports Director of KSDJ Radio in Brookings, SD. Nate, his wife Sarah, and three sons, Braxan, Jordy, and Anders live in Canton, SD.