For the first time in 23-years, the Watertown Arrows have won a state football championship. The game was sloppy at times, by both squads, but each brought plenty excitement. A crucial stop on a two-point conversion was the difference as Watertown edged out Pierre TF Riggs 14-13 to win the 11AA title.
Coming into this year’s title game, Pierre had won seven straight. For Watertown, they were looking for their first state championship since 2001. In the end, it was the Arrows who got to hoist the trophy.
“We played really hard. We had some places where we made some mistakes. Pierre is a really good football team and you know when you’re playing against the seven time defending state champions, they’re going to be in it until the end,” explained Watertown head coach John Hodorff. “Our guys fought back, made a big play on a two-point conversion and that kind of ended up being the game. That’s a classic dome game that I’ve seen in a long time.”
A year ago, Watertown fell to Pierre in the semifinal round of the playoffs. This helped fuel the Arrows team coming into this season.
“Our guys, they put a ton of work in. We had a bunch of good seniors who played hard throughout the season. The offseason they put in was phenomenal. Our coaching staff did a great job of putting guys in position all summer long, all season long,” said Hodorff. “The guys just did a good job of responding and doing what they needed to do to get here today.”
Marcus Fossum, who ran for 82-yards, and caught a touchdown pass in the 11AA game for the Arrows, was named the Joe Robbie MVP.
“We were totally dedicated,” he exclaimed. “There are no other kids I’d ever run behind. Everyone shows up to practice on time, we work hard every single practice, and this is what we dream of, this right here. It really hits home. I don’t know what to say. These guys are just awesome, there’s nobody I’d rather play for.”
Pierre received to start the game, but quickly went three-and-out. A poor punt set Watertown up near midfield for their first possession, but penalties and a botched snap halted the Arrows first attempt to go down the field.
Two plays into the Governors second drive, Kaden Decker knocked the ball loose from Carter Merrill, and Jayden Lambert recovered to give Watertown the ball back. On a second and goal from the two-yard line, Marcus Fossum lost control of the ball as he was trying to reach the ball over the goal line. It was recovered by Andrew Dahl of Pierre in the end zone, putting Pierre’s offense back on the field.
The Governors were able to get into Arrows territory, but penalties pushed them back onto their side of the field, resulting in an eventual punt.
End of the 1st Quarter | Watertown 0 Pierre TF Riggs 0
Watertown got close to the red zone on their next offensive possession but had to settle for a field goal. On the kick, Riley Fischer pulled it left of the upright keeping it a scoreless game. Pierre was unable to capitalize, however, and followed up the missed field goal with a three-and-out.
The Arrows finally broke the scoring drought on their next possession. Treyton Himmerich hit Fossum for a 28-yard touchdown. Pierre’s offensive struggles continued after the Watertown touchdown, as the Governors once again went three-and-out.
Watertown had a chance with a little over two-minutes in the half, but time expired on their efforts.
Halftime | Watertown 7 Pierre TF Riggs 0
The Arrows got the ball to start the second half, but the drive went backwards and resulted in a quick punt.
Pierre’s first possession of the third quarter started near midfield. It didn’t take them long to find a big play. Kaleb Lounsbury hit George Stalley for a 28-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
Watertown followed up the Pierre score with another three-and-out. The Governors then worked their way down the field but turned it over on downs near the red zone.
Pierre got the ball back after another quick drive from the Arrows. Lounsbury hit Cooper Terwilliger for a big 39-yard gain to get the Governors onto the Watertown side of the field. Three plays later, Kaden Decker forced a fumble on Lounsbury, that was recovered by Spencer Wientjes and returned 14-yards to put the Arrows back in business near midfield.
End of the 3rd Quarter | Watertown 7 Pierre TF Riggs 7
Watertown moved to the edge of field goal range on their next drive, but a third down snap over Himmerich’s head, which the Arrows recovered, took them out of range for a kick attempt.
Pierre also had a botched snap on their possession that bumped them backwards. On the punt, the ball when off of Lounsbury’s leg for only eight-yards. It was recovered by Decker, who gained 25-yards on the return.
With 3:57 to play, on a critical fourth down play, Spencer Wientjes got the carry on a statue of liberty play and took it 24-yards to the house. This gave Watertown a 14-7 lead.
The Governors did pick up one first down on their next drive, but quickly had to punt following it. Watertown kept it on the ground their next possession, which led to a three-and-out, but it did force Pierre to use their remaining timeouts.
At the 1:39 mark, the Governors got the ball one more time with a chance to tie it. Desperate for a big play, Lounsbury hit Stalley for a monster 43-yard gain to get Pierre into the red zone. Four plays later Elijah Boutchee ran it in from six-yards out for a touchdown. Pierre then opted for a two-point conversion to try and take the late lead. They gave it to Boutchee again on the two-point try, but he was stuffed, preserving a one-point lead for the Arrows with 50-seconds to play.
Wientjes recovered the onside kick return to secure the win for Watertown.
Final | Watertown 14 Pierre 13
Treyton Himmerich finished with 121 yards of passing and one touchdown through the air for Watertown. Marcus Fossum ran for 83-yards, recorded 27-receiving yards, and caught a touchdown pass for the Arrows as well.
The Governors were led by Kaleb Lounsbury who threw for 291-yards with one passing touchdown. George Stalley caught a touchdown in the contest, and had 147-yards of receiving for Pierre too.
Outstanding Lineman – Micah Hach (Watertown)
Outstanding Back – Marcus Fossum (Watertown)
Joe Robbie MVP – Marcus Fossum (Watertown)
