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ELKTON, S.D. — Interceptions on back-to-back Viborg-Hurley possessions fueled a massive Elkton-Lake Benton conquest.
Defensive backs Joseph Nibbe and Eliot Erickson snagged Brady Schroedermeier passes as the Elks blanked the Cougars, 43-0, at the Elkton Athletic Complex on Friday, Aug. 29.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Joseph Nibbe (8) returns an interception during the second quarter of a South Dakota Class 9AA football game on Friday, Aug. 29, at the Elkton Athletic Complex. Also photographed is the Elks’ Lane Schindler (1). (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“The kids put themselves in the right spot to make plays on the ball,” first-year ELB head coach Kaleb Haas said.
Momentum swung wildly in favor of the Elks, and rest assured no one had a running second-half clock on his bingo card. ELB was ahead 35-0 at the break.
And ELB, the No. 1 ranked team in South Dakota Class 9AA, had too much firepower for No. 4 Viborg-Hurley.
“It was nice to play a tough, ranked opponent,” Haas noted. “I preach to the kids this was just part of the process.”
Elkton-Lake Benton first-year head coach Kaleb Haas watches the action from the sideline during a Friday. Aug. 29 , game versus Viborg-Hurley. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
The Elks finished with a 322-140 edge in total offense as senior all-state quarterback Colt Beck rushed for 82 yards and three TD and he was 8-of-10 passing for 168 yards and another score.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Taiton Boersma blocks while Colt Beck drops back to pass. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
On Beck’s first TD, he had to push blocker/teammate Berkley Hemmen out of the way, a video that can be seen on the Pipestone County Star’s Facebook page.
ELB’s defense allowed just 51 rushing yards, turning the Cougar offense one-dimensional.
Savion Stephens was the leading receiver with four catches for 78 yards. Erickson added 69 rush yards and two TD.
Linebacker Myles Poindexter continues to shine defensively, recording nine tackles, one quarterback sack and forcing a Cougar fumble. Quintin Westley added two quarterback pressures and several tackles. Taiton Boersma also was credited with a quarterback sack.
Elkton-Lake Benton’s Lane Schindler makes a tackle during a Friday, Aug. 29, football game at the Elkton Athletic Complex in Elkton, S.D. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Eliot Erickson (0) tries to break free of a Viborg-Hurley tackler during a Friday, Aug. 29, football game at the Elkton Athletic Complex. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Haas said the Elks special teams was a factor in the win, which helped them flip field position in a positive manner.
The head coach cautioned that this week’s game won’t be easy as the Elks travel to Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy in Freeman, with kick off set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.
ELB won last year’s game over the Phoenix, 40-12.
Caden Crofutt, now a junior, is playing an increased role for the Elkton-Lake Benton football team during the 2025 season. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Other Games
Thursday, Aug. 28
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 39,
Yellow Medicine East 0
GRANITE FALLS — Colten Thomsen rushed for three TD as Russell-Tyler-Ruthton won its season-opener on the road.
This marked the first win under new head coach Ted Kern as well.
First-year Russell-Tyler-Ruthton head football coach Ted Kern (left) listens as new assistant coach Derrick Baartman goes over a play during a scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Paulsen Athletic Complex. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Senior Gavin Schreurs had a productive game with two passing TD and one more rushing.
Brayden Chandler and Lane Wichmann were the receivers who scored.
Garrett Elton recorded an interception on defense, and the Knights also scored a safety. The Yellow Medicine East punter kicked the ball out of the end zone after a bad snap.
The Knights remain on the road this week, playing the Sleepy Eye United. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.
The home opener will follow on Sept. 12 versus Lakeview (Cottonwood).
Friday, Aug. 29
Edgerton 52,
Cedar Mountain 14
Edgerton Public School, home of the Flying Dutchmen. (Contributed graphic)
MORGAN — Edgerton pulled away from Cedar Mountain with a 22-point second quarter.
Michael Gunnink rushed for 243 yards, and scored the Flying Dutchmen’s first TD with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter.
Brady Jandl, Tucker Arp and Kaisen Hendricks also figured into the scoring for Edgerton.
This Saturday, Edgerton plays at Granada-Huntley-East Chain-Truman at Truman High School in a match-up of teams that faced each other during the 9-player section playoffs last year. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.