PIERRE, SD – The Pierre Governors thoroughly dominated the Sturgis Scoopers in all phases of the game, handing the #3 ranked Scoopers their first shutout loss of the year, 44-0 at Hollister Field.
Pierre marched downfield on their first possession and scored in four plays, as quarterback Kaleb Lounsbury found Carter Schieffelbein wide open for a 31-yard touchdown pass to give the Govs a 7-0 lead with only 1:18 gone in the game.
The Governors added three more touchdowns and a field goal before half and led 30-0 at intermission.
Tight end Cooper Terwilliger caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Lounsbury with 8:13 left in the third quarter to give Pierre a 37-0 lead, which meant a running play clock in the second half.
Carter Merrill rounded out the scoring for Pierre with a 7-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter and the Govs walked away with the shutout victory.
Pierre (4-3) finished with 431 yards of total offense, 162 yards on the ground and 267 yards through the air. Merrill had 135 yards rushing with one score and Schieffelbein caught six balls for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Pierre had one turnover and six penalties for 50 yards.
Sturgis (4-3) could only manage 96 total yards in the contest. The Scoopers ran the ball 21 times for 51 yards and completed three passes in 14 attempts for 45 yards. Sturgis had two interceptions and six penalties for 60 yards.
The Scoopers are on the road next Friday night as they take in the Watertown Arrows.