By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

“He trusted his blocks,” Parkston coach Matt Grave said. “Sometimes when you’ve got track speed you want to just run, and he set up his blocks well. He trusted his linemen and they gave him opportunities to be successful.” 

Kramer echoed his coach’s comments and praised his offensive lineman for paving the way up front. 

Kramer's 64-yard touchdown jaunt made it 16-8 and he added a punt return for a touchdown for a 22-8 lead. 

Kramer added to the highlight reel in the second quarter. After the Phoenix pinned Parkston at the two-yard line on a punt, Kramer bolted 98 yards for a touchdown run. 

“We were kind of dead in the water,” Grave said. “Honestly, it was a big play and that took the wind from them and it gave us some hope and some confidence.”

Carter Sommer added a 39-yard touchdown pass to Mason Jervik, making it 36-8 in the second quarter. Jervik added a five-yard touchdown run for the Trojans.

In the fourth quarter, Riley Tschetter connected with Karter Weber for a short touchdown pass and the final 42-14 margin. 

“Freeman is a very, very talented team,” Grave said. “If they catch four-five passes, it probably changes the game, changes momentum, and gets a couple extra first downs.”

Defensively, Parkston bottled up the Phoenix and forced many three-and-out possessions. In the second quarter, Gage Reichert had an interception and Reco Muilenburg added a fourth-quarter interception when Parkston shuffled in its younger players. 

“I am very proud of our young guys for stepping there,” Grave said. “Even the starters before the second quarter was over, they marched the field and were able to get a stop.” 

Parkston hosts Stanley County on Aug. 30. Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy hosts Bon Homme on Aug. 30.