WATERTOWN, S.D. — Lincoln Schutt rushed for 142 yards and a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown to power the Watertown Arrows past the Spearfish Spartans 26-20 in the season opener.
Watertown jumped out to an early lead behind the leg of kicker Carson Schlaht, who converted field goals from 31 and 34 yards out in the first half. Tyson Miller extended the margin with 1:31 remaining before halftime, scoring on a 6-yard run to put the Arrows up 13-0.
The Arrows expanded their lead to 19-0 early in the third quarter when quarterback Kaeden Himmerich connected with Kyle Paulson for a 29-yard touchdown strike at the 9:34 mark.
Spearfish mounted a comeback in the second half, cutting the deficit to 19-14 following consecutive rushing touchdowns at 3:47 in the third quarter and 7:41 in the fourth.
Watertown answered with 2:19 left on the clock when Schutt found the end zone, securing a 26-14 cushion. Spearfish added a final touchdown with eight seconds remaining, but the late effort was not enough to overcome the early deficit.
Schutt anchored the Watertown ground game, averaging nearly 9 yards per attempt on 16 carries. Miller added 59 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while Himmerich completed 4 of 11 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown alongside 30 rushing yards. The Arrows compiled 287 yards of total offense on the night.
Maxx Sears and Charles Whiting spearheaded the Watertown defense, registering six tackles apiece. Caden Corey and Miller contributed five tackles each as the defense recorded two total sacks.
Watertown (1-0) visits the Brookings Bobcats on Friday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
