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ELKTON, S.D. — Elkton-Lake Benton had a 13-7 lead over Hanson midway through the second quarter in the Class 9AA quarterfinals on Thursday, Oct. 30.
Three plays — two on defense and one special teams — ultimately led to 10 Elks points during the final 2:49 of the first half under picturesque skies at the Elkton Athletic Complex.
And second-ranked Elkton-Lake Benton was on its way to a 44-15 victory over Hanson, the second time in as many years the Elks eliminated the Beavers in the postseason.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Eliot Erickson wrests control of the ball from Hanson’s Jason Porth on a pass play during the second quarter of a Class 9AA quarterfinal game at Elkton, S.D., Thursday, Oct. 30. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“We did a good job of eliminating the inside run that Hanson focuses its offensive scheme around,” ELB head coach Kaleb Haas said. “Our interior defenders plugged inside gaps, or forcing runs to bounce to the outside where we had unblocked defenders ready to make the tackle.”
ELB will face Parkston in the 9AA state semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, also at the Elkton Athletic Complex, a battle of recent juggernauts with 9-1 records.
The Elks also stopped the Beavers (5-5) in the passing game.
The first of three decisive plays, Hanson quarterback Jett Jager rolled to his right attempting to pass. ELB’s Joseph Nibbe stepped in front of Carter Endorf for the interception.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Eliot Erickson attempts to tackle Carter Endorf of Hanson during this Class 9AA quarterfinal in Elkton, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 30. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Several plays later, Elks kicker Wanner Enriquez booted home a 31-yard field goal, a highlight seen on the Pipestone County Star’s Facebook page. Enriquez also nailed a 38-yarder earlier this season versus Waubay-Summit.
On Hanson’s next possession, ELB’s Lane Schindler earned a pass defense, batting the ball away before it reached wide receiver Cole Dewald.
The Elks broke through and rushed Hanson’s punter, forcing him to run on fourth down — stopped well short of the neccessary yardage to gain — giving ELB possession at the Beaver 22-yard line.
On the first play, Eliot Erickson high-pointed a Colt Beck pass in the end zone, battling cornerback Jason Porth for possession. Ultimately, the officials awarded the Elks the score on this dynamic highlight, and it was 23-7 at intermission.
ELB scored the first three TD of the second half en route to the comfortable victory.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Taiton Boersma (88) blocks Hanson’s Carter Endorf (1) at the point of attack during a South Dakota Class 9AA quarterfinal game on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Elkton Athletic Complex. The Elks defeated the Beavers, 44-15.(Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Beck threw a 3-yard scoring pass to Savion Stephens and rushed in from 39 yards out for another TD. Erickson added a 32-yard rushing TD. Hanson added an excuse-me score with 0:17 left in the fourth quarter.
Beck, a 2024 all-state selection, was dominant with 242 yards rushing on 16 carries. He was efficient passing as well, going 6-of-10 for 55 yards, finishing with four total TD (two running, two through the air). His longest rush was an 82-yard score.
Elkton-Lake Benton quarterback Colt Beck attempts to shake a Hanson tackle during this Class 9AA quarterfinal game on Thursday, Oct. 30. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“Colt ran the ball extremely hard,” Haas said, “doing a great job of finding running lanes opened up from the offensive line. His legs, and ability to make the correct reads, are huge difference-makers in our offense.”
Erickson added 178 all-purpose yards rushing and receiving. He also was the Elks’ leading tackler with 13 stops (including three for negative yards), and he had a fumble recovery.
Other top defensive players were Nibbe (11 tackles), Myles Poindexter (nine tackles) and Quintin Westley (eight tackles, two for loss, and a forced fumble).
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Savion Stephens motions with his finger after the final play as the Elks downed Hanson in the Class 9AA quarterfinals on Thursday, Oct. 30. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Here comes Parkston
Parkston has a longstanding tradition of success, and ELB will be tasked with stopping a streak of three straight Trojan appearances in 9AA state championship games.
Two years ago, Parkston nipped Howard 12-7 for a state title. Last year, Hamlin defeated the Trojans 32-8 in the championship at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. Wall was Parkston’s state opponent during in 2022.
“Parkston is an extremely talented team,” Haas said.
Expect the Trojans to employ a double wing formation on offense with a power-laden scheme. Success will come down to matching Parkston’s numbers on the play side, Haas commented.
Parkston runs a four-front defense with free-flowing linebackers. It’s going to be a matter of the Elks’ offensive line in getting to the second level.
Players to watch are running back Mason Jervik and two-way player Gage Jodozi, a fullback on offense and linebacker defensively.
Admission is $7 per adult and $5 per student.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Wanner Enriquez booted home a 31-yard field goal in the Elks’ win. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
INFORMATION
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Thursday, Oct. 30
At Elkton Athletic Complex
Elkton-Lake Benton 44, Hanson 15
Score By Quarters
Han. 0 7 0 8 — 15
ELB 7 16 14 7 — 44
Records: ELB, 9-1; Hanson, 5-5
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
ELB — Colt Beck 82 run (Wanner Enriquez kick)
Second Quarter
ELB — Eliot Erickson 9 run (kick failed)
Han. — Jason Porth 13 pass from Jett Jager (Nathan Wilber kick)
ELB — Enriquez 31 field goal
ELB — Erickson 22 pass from Beck (Enriquez kick)
Third Quarter
ELB — Savion Stephens 3 pass from Beck (Enriquez kick)
ELB — Beck 39 run (Enriquez kick)
Fourth Quarter
ELB — Erickson 32 run (Enriquez kick)
Han. — Carter Endorf 1 run (Stetson Riggs run)