VERMILLION, S.D. – 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.
Meanwhile, In what was a hard-fought battle, Winner defeated Sioux Valley 20-14 at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion on Friday afternoon to win the 11B state championship.
The Warriors motto coming into this game was ’10 for 60.’ Its meaning shows the goal of winning a tenth state football championship and doing it to honor long time Warriors coach Harvey Naasz, who wore No. 60 during his playing days. Harvey passed away last December at the age of 84.
“As most football fans in South Dakota know, we lost Harvey Naasz this last year, and he not only was the coach that got this rolling, but he took care of the field until the day he died,” explained Winner head coach Trent Olson. “This was pride and joy. It was all about Harvey.”
The game displayed two offensive schemes that ran the football. Winner is more of a ground and pound team, while Sioux Valley’s scheme is built on getting the ball to its playmakers in space.
Both teams had moments where it looked like they would take control, but every time it appeared like it was going to flow one way, things swayed the other direction.
“We didn’t feel good until the final buzzer, not one time,” chuckled coach Olson. “It was great effort, great resolve by the kids. The game felt like it could switch on any play. A turnover, a big play, anything could have swung it the other way. Hats off to Sioux Valley, they did a great job, and certainly had a chance to win the game.”
One of Winner’s key players in the 11B championship was Karson Keiser, who ran for 86-yards and a touchdown. He also recorded five tackles on defense. Keiser said it was unfinished business for how the past two year’s have gone.
“Ever since losing in the dome (2022), and then getting beat by [Elk Point-Jefferson] in the semifinals, us seniors came together and said “that wasn’t going to happen again,” so we got the whole team together and we made sure everyone showed up,” Keiser exclaimed. “Having 18 guys stick up for one another, it just means the world to us.”
