DUPREE — On Oct. 24, Dupree doused its football coaches with water and fireworks were set off to commemorate a win 37 years in the making. 

The Tigers sent shockwaves through South Dakota high school football with a 50-28 upset win over Little Moreau Conference foe Harding County/Bison in the Class 9A playoffs. It was the Tigers first win over the Ranchers since 1987, and they accomplished the feat at Buffalo’s hallowed Ab Penn Field. 

The moment was punctuated with fireworks and an escort into town after the upset win.  

“After the game it was pretty emotional,” Dupree senior running back Braydon Terveen-Smith said. “We have all been working so hard for this. It was great to do. We were dumping water on the coaches. It was a great atmosphere.” 

Ironically, Terveen-Smith’s father, Lyle Smith, was a member of the 1987 Dupree Tigers. Dupree’s last win over Harding County (the Harding County/Bison co-op formed in 2021) was a 10-6 decision in Buffalo. 

“That’s really special,” Terveen-Smith said. “My dad was on the last team that beat them. It was nice to finally take that away and get that win after 30-some years.”

Dupree's Braydon Terveen-Smith carries the ball against Harding County/Bison in the Class 9A playoffs on Oct. 24 in Buffalo. (Spencer Olsen / Courtesy photo)

For the Tigers, who improved to 6-3, it was also their first playoff win since 2011 and their first playoff appearance since 2020. 

“It’s a huge reward,” Terveen-Smith added. “You put all that work in the offseason to reach this goal and when it all comes together, there’s no better feeling.”

And while the victory was a surprise to some, the Tigers were confident entering the contest. Dupree dropped a tight 26-14 decision against the Ranchers on Oct. 4. 

But Dupree coach Cody Eaton noted the Tigers shot themselves in the foot with turnovers. 

“We left 21 points on the field up there that night and we knew that,” Eaton said. “We fumbled the ball twice inside the 10, and once inside the 20. We knew we left points on the field. It’s hard to capitalize on things like that against tough teams.”

In the rematch, Dupree committed just one turnover, forced Harding County/Bison into three turnovers and rushed for 447 yards. The Tigers held the Ranchers to just 95 yards on the ground.  

“We played them in the regular season and we had some mistakes,” Terveen-Smith said. “But we knew going in there if we played good fundamental good football, won the turnover battle, that we had a chance and that’s what we did. I don’t really know how to describe the feeling. It was crazy.” 

But the 22-point margin of victory was even surprising to the Tigers, who pulled away from a 20-8 halftime edge and scored 30 points in the second half.

“I wouldn’t have said it was going to be that bad,” Eaton said. “But I had a feeling we were going to beat them. I just did.” 

“I knew we had a chance,” Terveen-Smith added. “But I didn’t think it was going to have that outcome. Everybody on our team did their jobs and that’s what happens whenever you get together and you reach a common goal.”

Dupree's Tre White Wolf carries the ball against Harding County/Bison in the Class 9A playoffs on Oct. 24 in Buffalo. (Spencer Olsen / Courtesy photo)

Terveen-Smith, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound running back, powered the Tigers with 336 yards rushing on 25 carries and four touchdowns. Tre White Wolf had 41 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Roper Eaton had two touchdowns on six carries, while Cruz Birkeland added 60 yards rushing on eight carries and two interceptions defensively. Fletcher Birkeland tallied eight tackles on defense, while Eaton had seven tackles and a sack.

Dupree’s win over Harding County/Bison was its third straight overall, fifth in the past six games and coach Eaton said the Tigers continue to improve each week. 

“I have just seen a lot of growth,” said Eaton, who has coached the seniors since they were third graders. “The kids are believing in themselves. Our front line is just playing exceptionally well and we are a big threat in the backfield.” 

Terveen-Smith especially praised the offensive line play of Cameron Dekle, Noah Little Wounded, Wyatt Lemke, Michael Donovan and Tanner Thorstenson for paving the way for Dupree’s rushing lanes. 

“I credit that all to our line and everybody blocking for each other,” Terveen-Smith said. “Everybody on our team does it for the other guy. There’s no selfishness and that’s what allowed us to have success. Our line is one of the biggest reasons for that. They do a great job.” 

Dupree's Cruz Birkeland and Tre White Wolf celebrate against Harding County/Bison in the Class 9A playoffs on Oct. 24 in Buffalo. (Spencer Olsen / Courtesy photo)

Terveen-Smith is a four-sport standout, who also competes in rodeo, basketball and track and field. In track and field, he competes in sprints, relays, long jump and triple jump. He participates in steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping in rodeo. 

But football is where he makes the most noise, and has been a key player for the Tigers the past few seasons. 

“He’s meant a lot,” Eaton said. “He’s a great kid, a good leader, just works hard and he doesn't say anything. He just plays the game.”

College football coaches have taken notice, too. Terveen-Smith, who maintains a 4.1 grade point average, intends to play college football at South Dakota School of Mines and major in industrial engineering and engineering management. 

But first Terveen-Smith and the Tigers have another playoff game. Dupree will play at No. 4 Wolsey-Wessington in the Class 9A quarterfinals. 

“We have to keep focused,” Terveen-Smith said. “It’s a great moment, great to be a part of. But the job’s not done yet and we still have a lot more to do.”