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VERMILLION, S.D. — For one quarter, Elkton-Lake Benton stayed stride for stride with Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy.
However, the Phoenix rose in the second quarter, outscoring the Elks 21-0 en route to a 46-22 victory in the South Dakota High School Activities Association Class 9AA state championship Thursday, Nov. 13, at the DakotaDome.
“They played a really clean game,” Elkton-Lake Benton head coach Kaleb Haas said. “Their two forced turnovers in the first half were a momentum swing.”
Haas said FMFA put its athletes in space to make plays on offense.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Myles Poindexter (2) makes the grab.(Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Myles Poindexter is off to the races for a TD while pursued by Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy’s Tayden Kerrigan (13) and David Walter (23) during the South Dakota Class 9AA state championship game on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“They were calling plays to beat the coverages we were running defensively,” the coach continued. “The accuracy their quarterback (Riley Tschetter) threw the ball made it very difficult to take away their passing game.”
The Elks finished the season 10-2 — a one-win improvement from 2024 — reaching the penultimate contest.
For Haas, the season proved to be learning experience, and he relied on the input from his assistants.
It marked the final game for the unbeaten Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy coop. Marion will join up with Parker next season.
For Freeman proper, this was the school’s ninth championship (five solo and three during a marriage with Canistota).
This was the final game for seniors Colt Beck, Eliot Erickson, Myles Poindexter, Quintin Westley, Lane Schindler, Savion Stephens, Wanner Enriquez, Wyatt Osland and Taiton Boersma. All nine provided leadership.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Colt Beck (5) blocks out in front of teammate Eliot Erickson. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“These seniors were seventh-graders when I first came to Elkton,” Haas said. “They worked so hard throughout all of those off-seasons to improve themselves, and prepare for their moment. They understood the amount of work that needed to be done to be successful.”
Beck connected with Poindexter on a 49-yard TD, and then Colt ran another in from 23 yards away with 3:46 left in the first quarter.
Then things unraveled for ELB.
Jackson Donlan recovered an Elks’ fumble, and Tayden Kerrigan snagged a Beck pass for an interception.
By halftime, FMFA was ahead 37-14, and the Phoenix defense remained stiff until Beck punched in his second rushing TD at the 4:54 mark of the fourth.
The statistics indicated a closer game since FMFA had a 407-313 edge in total offense.
Phoenix quarterback Riley Tschetter (the son of head coach Dustin Tschetter) earned Joe Robbie Most Valuable Player honors going 15-of-22 passing for 315 yards and three TD. Tschetter added 37 yards rushing and another score. Luke Peters was named outstanding back and Tate Sorenson outstanding lineman. FMFA had six different pass catchers.
Beck closed out his career going 8-of-16 for 163 yards. Eliot Erickson rushed for 80 yards and added 65 more receiving on five catches. Poindexter had 54 yards in catches and recorded 25 tackle points in the Star’s defensive system.
Elkton-Lake Benton senior quarterback Colt Beck bounces a run to the left during the Class 9AA South Dakota state football championship. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Additional numbers accompany this story in agate form.
Coach Beck honored
During halftime of the state championship, ELB’s Jared Beck was named
Class 9AA assistant coach of the year.
The South Dakota Football Coaches Association presented Beck with the award.
“Coach Beck plays a vital role in our coaching staff,” Haas said. “Coach Beck is the offensive coordinator, and handles play calls on gamedays. He puts in a ton of work throughout each week to find ways to exploit the opposing defense.”
Haas said Beck always adds new wrinkles to Elks offense.
Elkton-Lake Benton assistant coach Jared Beck (right) talks with senior Quintin Westley (2) during a timeout at the South Dakota Class 9AA state championship game on Thursday, Nov. 13, in Vermillion, S.D. Beck was named state 9AA assistant coach of the year. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
Ross Flemmer from Dell Rapids-St. Mary’s was tabbed Class 9B head coach of the year.
Others skippers honored were Lex Heathershaw (9A, Wall), Dustin Tschetter (9AA, F/M/FA), Mick Thompson (11A, Milbank), Dru Strand (11B, Huron), Eric Struck (11AAA, Sioux Falls Jefferson) and Dusty Welsh (All Nations, Winnebago).
The Star wrote a story on 11B coach Jake Terry from Elk Point-Jefferson.
Brandon Valley’s Tim Sylliasen was named overall assistant coach of the year (Frank Broyles Award) and Lance Witte Keeper of the Game. Witte is the superintendent of Lower Brule Schools and All-Nations Conference chairman.
Look for a story on all-Dakota Valley Conference all-conference, and all-state awards in a future edition of the Star.
Welcome home celebration
Elkton-Lake Benton conducted a welcome celebration for the team on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 16.
The South Gymnasium audience gave Elkton-Lake Benton players a standing ovation, and Haas thanked the fans and administration for their support.
Elkton-Lake Benton head football coach Kaleb Haas speaks during the special welcome home ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 16, in the Elkton School’s South Gymnasium. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“This was a tight-knit team, and you could see it play throughout the whole game,” Haas said. “(The players) fought for one another.”
Colt Beck spoke for the entire team.
“We have the best fans,” Beck said. “You were super loud all season.”
A local financial institution provided cake, ice cream and other refreshments. The runner-up trophy was on full display, allowing for plenty of photo opportunities.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Luke Schindler is held during a Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy second-half field goal attempt in the Class 9AA South Dakota state football championship at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion, S.D., on Thursday, Nov. 13. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Thursday, Nov. 13
9AA State Championship
At DakotaDome, Vermillion, S.D.
Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 46,
Elkton-Lake Benton 22
Score By Quarters
ELB 14 0 0 8 — 22
FMFA 16 21 6 3 — 46
Records: ELB, 10-2; FMFA, 12-0
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
FMFA — Luke Peters 73 pass from Riley Tschetter (Peters run)
ELB — Myles Poindexter 49 pass from Colt Beck (Wanner Enriquez kick)
FMFA — David Walter 45 pass from Tschetter (Riley Tschetter run)
ELB — Colt Beck 23 run (Enriquez kick)
Second Quarter
FMFA — Tate Sorenson 21 pass from Tschetter (Tayden Kerrigan kick)
FMFA — Peters 6 run (conversion pass failed)
FMFA — Peters 4 run (Tschetter run)
Third Quarter
FMFA — Tschetter 3 run (kick blocked)
Fourth Quarter
FMFA — Kerrigan 35 field goal
ELB — Beck 11 run (Savion Stephens pass from Beck)
Select Team Statistics
ELB FMFA
First Downs 14 18
Rushes-Yards 37-150 29-92
Comp.-Att.-INT 8-16-1 15-22-0
Passing Yards 163 315
Total Net Offense 313 407
Avg. Yards/Play 5.9 8.0
Return Yards 54 73
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 0-0
Punts-Yards 2-74 3-87
Penalties-Yards 3-9 5-40
Critical Conversions 6-16 6-11
Red Zone Efficiency 1-2 6-6
Individual Statistics
(Elkton-Lake Benton Only)
Offense
Rushing: Eliot Erickson, 15-80; Colt Beck, 22-70
Passing: Beck, 8-of-16, 163 yards, one TD, one INT
Receiving: Erickson, 5-65; Myles Poindexter, 2-54; Savion Stephens, 1-44
Defense
Player S A Points
Myles Poindexter 10 5 25
Taiton Boersma 4 1 9
Colt Beck 3 3 9
Eliot Erickson 3 0 6
Savion Stephens 3 0 6
Quintin Westley 2 2 6
David Olson 1 3 5
Lane Schindler 2 0 4
Caden Crofutt 1 0 2
Wanner Enriquez 1 0 2
Joseph Nibbe 0 2 2
Editor’s Note: In this format, solo tackles are worth two points, and assists one.
Special Defensive Stats
Tackles for loss: Myles Poindexter, 2; Taiton Boersma
Quarterback sack-yards: Taiton Boersma, 1-6
Passes Defensed: Quintin Westley, Savion Stephens and Lane Schindler
Kick Blocked: Quintin Westley
Source: South Dakota Public Broadcasting