SALEM — Mobridge-Pollock continued its turnaround season on Thursday.

One year after going 2-6 and failing to make the playoffs, the Tigers went on the road and knocked off McCook Central/Montrose 36-18 in Class 11B playoff action. 

“This feels amazing,” Mobridge-Pollock senior quarterback Jackson Eisemann said. “We put a lot of hard work into this year. We knew that we could come back and have a great year.”

For the Tigers, who improved to 7-2, it was the first playoff win since 2020 and coach Donovon Flaherty said it’s a reflection of their hard work. 

“It’s just great to see all the kids’ hard work and time and effort that they have been putting in,” Flaherty said. “During practice, during the offseason, playing their other sports. It just says a lot about the kids. The character of who they are, but also their love and passion for football.”

The Tigers scored 16 points off five McCook Central/Montrose (6-3) turnovers, outscored the Fighting Cougars 17-6 in the second half and seized momentum with a number of game-changing plays. 

“Those are the big difference makers,” Flaherty said. “They had the ball on the one-yard line, and were about ready to go up two touchdowns very early in the game. We are able to end up scoring. So you have to be able to make those plays if you want to win at this time of the year.”

Eisemann had a hand in several key plays that helped the Tigers turn the tide. Eisemann blocked a punt in the second quarter, which was returned by Shane Henderson for a 12-6 lead. 

After MCM’s Lane Deutsch scored to even it at 12-12, Eisemann returned the kickoff to the one-yard line and punched it in the next play. 

“That just sets all the momentum,” Eisemann said. “If we don't have those plays, I feel like it’s a different game. But those plays set the tone and we just fueled off it.”

The Tigers, who led 19-12 at halftime, continued to capatalize off MCM’s turnovers in the second half. The Fighting Cougars fumbled on their first drive of the second half, and Mack Saxon plowed in for an 11-yard touchdown run. 

Mobridge-Pollock’s Brayden Wientjes intercepted an MCM pass, and Shooter Fredrick booted a 35-yard field goal for a 29-12 lead. Tyler Schmeichel added a 39-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Deutsch’s 64-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter accounted for the final touchdown. Deutsch opened up the scoring with a 73-yard touchdown jaunt in the first quarter. 

But other than that, Flaherty was pleased with the Tigers’ defensive effort. 

“We played really tough,” Flaherty said. “They had two really big plays. Other than that I thought our defense played really well. So there’s some things obviously we have to clean up. We have to be able to limit big plays and really force a team to drive the whole field, but I thought for the most part we played pretty well.”

The Fighting Cougars drove down to Mobridge-Pollock’s one-yard line on their second drive. But fumbled at the goal line and the Tigers recovered for a touchback. Eisemann started the scoring for Mobridge-Pollock with an 11-yard quarterback keeper. 

Up next, the No. 9 seeded Tigers will play at No. 1 seed Sioux Valley in the Class 11B quarterfinals.  

“We are going to be an underdog in a lot of people’s eyes,” Flaherty said. “But I fully believe with that group of gentlemen we are not going to treat ourselves like an underdog.”