STURGIS, S.D. – In a battle between two of the hottest teams in Class 11AA football, the Huron Tigers came out on top as they upset the Sturgis Scoopers’ homecoming celebration with a 33-16 victory Friday night.
Sturgis scored first, forcing the Tigers into an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone after the snap went over the head of Quarterback of Anderson Porisch. That penalty cost Huron two points as the Scoopers were awarded a safety and the ball on the ensuing kick.
Sturgis led 2-0 heading into the second quarter, where Huron jumped onto the lead on a one-yard run by Porisch. The extra point failed and the Tigers led 6-2.
Sturgis regained the lead on their next possession as quarterback Jaxon Cano scampered into the end zone from 5 yards out to make the score 9-6.
Just before halftime, the Tigers answered back on a 35-yard touchdown catch by James Shoultz. Huron went into halftime with a 12-9 lead.
In the third quarter, Huron regained the lead on a 19-yard touchdown run by Landon Hulst. With the extra point, the Tigers led 19-9.
Late in the third quarter, Sturgis scored on a 60-plus yard run by Sully Jost to close the Scoopers to within three at 19-16.
In the fourth quarter, Huron went back up by 10 points on a 35-yard touchdown run by Porisch to make it 26-16.
Sturgis was unable to answer, and Huron added an exclamation point to their victory by scoring with under a minute to play to make the final score 33-16.
Meade County Sheriff Pat West and his wife Cassie offered up game balls for the Scoopers on their homecoming night. Fullback Sully Jost was awarded the offensive player of the game ball while Zhoel Irion was awarded the defensive player of the game.