Freeman coasts past Bennett County, claims Class 9A state football championship

VERMILLION — The Freeman Flyers put an exclamation point on a dominant 2026 football season Thursday.

Freeman capped off an undefeated season with another runaway victory, downing Bennett County 57-12 in the Class 9A state championship at the DakotaDome.

The Flyers finished the season with a 12-0 record and won their first state championship as Freeman since 1999. Freeman has had recent success with multiple co-ops, including last season’s Class 9AA state championship as Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy.

“It’s definitely special for sure,” said Freeman senior Hunter Nankivel, who was named the Outstanding Lineman. “Being able to standalone with the entire town of Freeman behind you as the Flyers, it’s definitely different for sure. But it could be even more special.”

On Thursday, Freeman fired on all cyclinders to cap off a special season. The Flyers jumped out to a 42-6 halftime lead, racked up 504 total yards and held Bennett County to just 253 total yards. Freeman quarterback Tayden Kerrigan completed 12-of-18 passes for 273 yards and four touchdown passes. The Joe Robbie MVP and Outstanding Back added 55 yards rushing and another touchdown.

“This is what he has done all year,” Freeman coach Dustin Tschetter said. “I think 74% completion on the season. He spreads the ball around and let’s his athletes do their thing.”

Kerrigan completed passes to seven different receivers, including four tosses for 108 yards and one touchdown to Easton Tschetter.

“We showed a lot of variety and gave the ball to a lot of people,” Kerrigan said.

Freeman immediately set the tone, scoring just two plays and 13 seconds into the game on an Axle Schultz nine-yard TD run.

“We just wanted to send a message,” Kerrigan said. “Set the tone that we really have a high-powered offense. I have so many weapons and when the line gives me time it’s pretty easy out there.”

In the first half, Freeman’s high-powered offense was on full display. After Logun Pankratz intercepted a Bennett County pass, Kerrigan tossed a 58-yard touchdown reception to Brody Sorensen for a 16-0 lead.

Kerrigan followed up with touchdown passes to Easton Tschetter and Oliver Waltner, pushing the lead to 28-0. After Maddux Risse connected with Rush O’Neill for a 56-yard touchdown reception, Tschetter and Kerrigan scored rushing touchdowns for a 42-6 advantage. Kerrigan setup his own score with an interception on defense.

At halftime, Freeman rolled up 368 total yards as the Flyers showcased their embarrassment of riches on the gridiron.

“We have athletes all over the place,” Dustin Tschetter said. “Once they get the ball in space who knows what is going to happen. But that’s kind of us, we spread the ball around. We have a lot of athletes that make a lot of plays for us.”

In the third quarter, Freeman’s Alaric Knittel scored a six-yard touchdown run for a 49-6 lead. Freeman’s Tannen Auch's 11-yard touchdown reception from Kerrigan pushed the lead to 57-6 in the fourth quarter. Bennett County’s Hayden Risse scored a 68-yard touchdown run to reach the final margin.  

Maddux Risse completed 14-of-29 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown. O’Neill hauled in eight catches for 112 yards and one touchdown catch.

But the Warriors (10-2) were held to a season-low point total as the Flyers controlled the line of scrimmage en route to the win.

“To come out and dominant up front at the line of scrimmage, it made them respect our run game as well as our pass game,” Nankivel said. “We were kind of a dual threat there. We are able to dominant up front and let Tayden air it out a few times.”