High School Football
Watertown 15, Bishop O’Gorman 14
Kaeden Himmerich connected with Hunter Peterson on a two-point conversion with 1:07 remaining as Watertown rallied for a dramatic 15-14 victory over Bishop O’Gorman on Thursday night.
Tyson Miller set up the decisive conversion by scoring a late touchdown to pull the Arrows within a point at 14-13. Opting against the game-tying extra point, Watertown converted the gutsy two-point attempt when Himmerich found a wide-open Peterson in the end zone.
O’Gorman quickly marched down the field on the ensuing drive, setting up a 29-yard field goal attempt with four seconds left on the clock. The kick sailed wide left as time expired, securing Watertown’s first victory over a Class 11AAA opponent since 2023.
Class 11B Opening Round
Clark/Willow Lake 34, Mobridge-Pollock 24
Deuel 37, Beresford 8
Deuel generated 354 yards of total offense to secure a Class 11B first-round playoff win over Beresford. Gavin Kloos powered the Cardinals’ ground game with 207 rushing yards. Quarterback Aidan Sievers proved effective as well, rushing for 62 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 50 yards and another score. Ashton Oberle provided the main spark for the Watchdogs, carrying the ball 26 times for 217 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown.
9AA Opening Round
Great Plains Lutheran 22, Lead-Deadwood 7
Benjamin Prahl delivered a dual-threat performance to lead Great Plains Lutheran past Lead-Deadwood in the opening round of the Class 9AA playoffs. Prahl threw for 54 yards and a touchdown while adding 52 rushing yards and a score on the ground. He also paced the defensive effort with 13 tackles. Jeremiah Martens contributed significantly to the offensive attack, hauling in a 6-yard touchdown pass from Prahl in the second quarter before breaking for a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to finish with 59 yards on the ground. Oliver Pray led the Golddiggers, rushing for 50 yards and a touchdown in the effort.
Hamlin 52, Stanley County 0
Jonathan Leonardi delivered a standout performance as Hamlin blanked Stanley County in the opening round of the Class 9AA playoffs. Leonardi rushed for 203 yards and three touchdowns to anchor the attack. Quarterback Boden Stevenson added a balanced effort for the Chargers, passing for 75 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 63 yards and a score. Receiver Jack Stormo was on the receiving end of both touchdown passes, finishing with 34 receiving yards. Witt Myers paced the Buffaloes on the ground, finishing with a team-high 86 rushing yards.
Sioux Falls Lutheran 34, Waubay/Summit 16
9A Opening Round
Castlewood 51, Ipswich 0
Kamden Keszler accounted for six total touchdowns as Castlewood rolled to a victory over Ipswich in the Class 9A playoff opener. Keszler dominated on the ground, rushing for 106 yards and five touchdowns on nine carries, while adding 159 yards and a touchdown through the air. Receiver Will Aderhold was his primary target, racking up 137 receiving yards and a touchdown for the Warriors, while Weston Moorhouse added 64 rushing yards and a score. Brevyn Pitz paced the Tigers, completing 11 of 17 passes for 78 yards.
