Class 11AA Championship Preview: Pierre gunning for 10th state title since 2013
Pierre's Tucker Swenson (0), Jerren Deal (1), Carter Schiefelbein (7) and Cooper Terwilliger (12) walk out for the coin toss against Watertown on Sept. 18 in Watertown. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)
VERMILLION — Since South Dakota expanded to seven football classes in 2013, Pierre has ruled Class 11AA.
The Governors have played in every Class 11AA state championship game but two since 2013 and have won nine titles. Pierre won titles in 2013, seven straight from 2017-23 and won last season’s championship over Yankton.
The No. 1 Governors (11-0) return to the DakotaDome yet again on Friday, facing No. 3 Watertown (8-3) at 7:30 p.m.
Pierre, which averages 49.5 points per game, picked up playoff wins over Mitchell (47-7) and Sturgis (39-13). Quarterback Jerren Deal pilots the Pierre offense, completing 119-of-155 passes for 2,676 yards and 32 touchdown passes (against one interception). Deal has rushed for 709 yards on 52 carries and has nine more scores.
Porter Hunsley (864 yards rushing/18 touchdowns) is Pierre’s leading rusher. Carter Schiefelbein (986 yards receiving/12 touchdowns), Penn State commit Cooper Terwilliger (560 yards receiving/three touchdowns) and Hudson Stoeser (480 yards receiving/six touchdowns) are Deal’s primary targets. Hunsley has hauled in eight catches for 225 yards and four touchdown receptions.
Watertown last made the DakotaDome in 2024, a 14-13 win over Pierre for its first state championship since 2001.
After losing to Pierre (55-14) on Sept. 18, the Arrows won six of seven games to earn a spot in the DakotaDome. Watertown defeated Spearfish (35-13) and Yankton (35-25) in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Against the Bucks, Tyson Miller rushed for 126 yards and scored three total touchdowns. Quarterback Kaeden Himmerich completed 11-of-19 passes for 144 yards and three touchdown passes.