By Rich Winter

605 Sports

Following their 54-0 win over Cheyenne-Eagle Butte/Tiospaye Topa the small town of Lower Brule celebrated. 

More known for their prowess on the basketball court, the Sioux improved to 10-0 heading into the All-Nations B Division championship against Tiospa Zina (7-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. 

“There was a tailgate before the game and after the game we got all the players on the bus and had a parade around town,” Charles LaRoche, Lower Brule football coach said. “The support has been fantastic this season.” 

There has been plenty to celebrate this season as the Sioux are averaging over 51 points per game. A stingy defense has given up just 14 points this season and the team hasn’t been scored upon since Sept. 16. 

“I give a lot of credit to our defensive line,” LaRoche said. “They understand how to play gaps, they are really fundamental and hard to run against. Anytime teams try to throw outside our skill players are just so good at shutting that down.” 

Lower Brule is loaded with skill players and led by senior quarterback Gavin Thigh who has 1,123 passing yards along with 26 touchdowns. Thigh (knee) sat out last week’s semifinal win for precautionary reasons and is the team's second-leading rusher with 418 yards and three rushing touchdowns. 

His favorite target, fellow senior Brian LaRoche Jr., has 584 receiving yards to go along with 13 touchdown receptions. 

A breakout star this season has been freshman Nunpa Kirkie who has 913 yards rushing to go along with 18 touchdowns. 

“Nunpa is a kid that loves the physical aspect of football,” Charlie LaRoche said. “He loves to put his head down, he brings some physicality to both sides of the ball and really embraces that part of the game.”  

Freshman Nunpa Kirkie has 913 rushing yards to go along with 18 touchdowns - Rodney Haas - 605 Sports

This is Lower Brule’s second appearance in an All-Nations championship game. The Sioux fell to Crow Creek, 73-49, in the 2019 championship game. 

“I think a lot of them remember the Dome game four years ago and this team would like nothing more than to bring a championship back to their community,” Charlie LaRoche said. 

The Tiospa Zina Wambdi have known nothing but success since the start of the All-Nations Conference. Tiospa Zina beat Winnebago, Nebraska, 38-8, in the 2021 spring championship and followed that up with a 40-18 win over McLaughlin for the B Division title in the fall of 2021. 

Tiospa Zina started its season with a 40-8 loss to Lower Brule. After three wins the Wamdi lost back-to-back games to Winnebago and Todd County. 

In its last four games, including playoff wins over Flandreau Indian and Omaha Nation, Tiospa Zina has outscored the opposition, 212-30.

“My gameplan for this game is to make sure the boys are doing the little things right, especially the fundamentals,” Mikey Peters, Tiospa Zina coach said. “I look for the offense to keep a balanced running attack and passing while the defense plays solid.”

Tiosa Zina quarterback DJ Renville has emerged as a dual threat quarterback for the Wambdi - Photo courtesy of Jayden Fryer

Peters emphasized the need for his team to play penalty free football and stay disciplined and organized. 

“We just need to play our version of championship Wambdi football and I think we’ll be just fine,” Peters said. 

Junior quarterback DJ Renville emerged as the Wamdi starter this season and has 10 touchdown passes and no interceptions. Renville is also the leading rusher for the Wambdi with 547 yards and nine touchdowns. 

“DJ has really stepped up after multiple injuries to the quarterback position,” Jayden Freyer, Tiospa Zina offensive coordinator said. “He is the ultimate dual-threat quarterback and is equally adept at making plays with his arms and his legs.” 

Senior Reandre Greeley is Tiospa Zina’s top receiver with 240 yards and five touchdowns to his resume. Greeley is also a special teams weapon with two kick returns for touchdowns and two punt returns for touchdowns.

Briar Roberts pulls down an Omaha Nation player during Tiospa Zina's semifinal win over Omaha Nation - Photo courtesy of Jayden Fryer

 Defensive coordinator Gabe Akipa knows Lower Brule’s explosive offense is going to present some challenges. 

 “I know they are a very fast and versatile team,” Akipa said. “We just want the boys to approach this game like any other.”