By Rich Winter

605 Sports

VERMILLION — When Lennox coach Shawn Flanagan accepted the head football coaching position two years ago, one of his former players at McCook Central/Montrose, Boston Katzer wasn’t ready to sever the connection. 

Katzer enrolled at Lennox for the 2023-24 school year and on Saturday he helped orchestrate a Class 11A championship with a 14-6 win over top-ranked Sioux Falls Christian. 

“I’ve always put my trust in coach Flanagan,” Katzer said. “I know that he puts everything into this game so I knew that my best opportunity to win a state title was to go with him because he believed in me and I believe in him.”

The Orioles trailed 6-0 at halftime but Katzer and the offense woke up. The Orioles senior, who was named both the Outstanding Back and the Joe Robbie MVP, rushed for 83 yards and completed 18-of-27 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. 

In addition to his prowess on offense, Katzer snared two of four interceptions for a stout Orioles defense. The Orioles avenged a 19-8 loss to Sioux Falls Christian on Sept. 13. On Saturday, the Lennox defense allowed a net rushing total of nine yards, intercepting Chargers quarterback Lincoln Prins three times. The Orioles finished with four total interceptions. 

“We knew we had to fight for each other,” Katzer said. “We went into halftime and they scored on a trick play. and we were like that’s all they are going to get.”

Flanagan complimented his quarterback and a Sioux Falls Christian squad he said is loaded with talent. 

“Boston played great today,” Flanagan said. “Their defense is tough. I think they gave up the least amount of points in the state. It’s not like we are going to hang 45 on them, I mean we were just trying to move the ball and get first downs.” 

Earlier in his coaching career Flanagan said he used to write down goals like how many points the team might score in a season. When he arrived in Lennox two years ago the approach changed slightly. 

“The plan was to have practices and get better and I had no two year goals,” he said. “We just practiced on getting better. Everyday we worked on getting in better shape and then worked on getting stronger and those things add up over time.” 

Flanagan talked about how special the relationship is between him and his players.

“It means a lot to the community,” he said. “It’s great to do this with Boston but it’s also great to do it with all the players and the coaches. The entire experience has been awesome.”

A year ago West Central upended Lennox 57-22 to thwart a DakotaDome appearance. Katzer said the streets of his hometown were jammed with Lennox fans when the team left for Vermillion Saturday morning. He expects the same thing when the team arrives home late Saturday afternoon. 

“Last year wasn’t as much as family as this year but it still was,” he said. “This year was just at another level and last year’s experience helped us come together this year. My line opened holes for me and the receivers blocked downfield. We got it done and we stayed together all season.”