PARKSTON — Parkston’s backbone sent the Trojans back to the DakotaDome.

Parkston outlasted Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 28-22 in a Class 9AA semifinal thriller on Friday, securing another trip to Vermillion. No. 1 Parkston (11-0) faces No. 2 Hamlin (11-0) in the Class 9AA state championship on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.

On Friday, the Trojans won their 23rd straight victory and their defense buckled down late to secure a trip to the DakotaDome. 

“They are our backbone. They have been forever,” Parkston coach Matt Grave said. “I still believe defense wins championships, offense puts fans in the stands. Because whether it’s cold or not, defense has to play and they are usually the ones that can give you momentum or take momentum from them.”

Parkston’s defense bent late in the game, but came through when it mattered most. Parkston, which had surrendered just 12 points through the first two playoff games, gave up two fourth-quarter touchdowns against the high-powered Phoenix (8-3). 

“They are a very, very talented team,” Grave said. “Very explosive. Multiple threats across the board. Quarterback (Riley Tschetter) made great plays with his feet.”

The Trojans took a 28-8 lead into the fourth quarter. But FMFA’s Dominic Sperling’s six-yard TD run cut the deficit to 28-14 with 11:23 left. After recovering an onside kick, Sperling barreled in for another TD run and got FMFA within 28-22 with 9:10 left. 

The Phoenix forced a Trojan punt and took over at its own 15-yard line with 5:50 left. But the Trojans forced a turnover on downs and took over at FMFA’s 36-yard line with 1:54 remaining. 

“We came up when we needed to,” Parkston sophomore Mason Jervik said. “Everyone didn't think our defense was going to be good, but we showed them that we can play any defense we want.”

The Trojans were able to run out the clock, and they celebrated another trip to Vermillion. 

“I am very thankful that our guys were able to dig deep and find plays here and there,” Grave said. “Freeman did a great job. They are very talented, very well coached. They improved drastically throughout the season. They will be a team to reckon with in the future.”

Kolter Kramer totaled 104 yards on 17 carries. Kaden Holzbauer had 15 carries for 67 yards. Carter Sommer had five carries for five yards and two touchdowns. Jervik added 23 yards and a touchdown on two carries, including two catches for 24 yards and a punt return touchdown in the victory for the Trojans.

Jervik’s punt return ignited a key third-quarter for the Trojans, who were clinging to a 14-8 halftime lead. After forcing a 3-and-out, Jervik returned a punt return for a touchdown and a 22-8 lead. 

“I give all my props to my blockers,” Jervik said. “I didn’t get touched. I just did one cutback and I was gone. So I give props to all my blockers.”

Grave called the punt return “massive” and it showed how elusive the sophomore running back is in open space.  

“That punt return was huge,” Grave said. “Anytime you kind of give people space in nine-man it’s a lot of field to cover. But we made some really nice blocks, gave him space to run and he was confident to go make the play.”

Jervik, a 5-foot-8, 150-pound running back, wasn’t done. He added a 23-yard touchdown run for a 28-8 advantage, and he again praised his blockers.  

“I don’t think I got touched either,” Jervik said. “There was a huge hole. I just did my thing and ran. It’s nice to run with a huge line. It’s great.” 

Parkston, which defeated the Phoenix 42-14 in the season opener, scored the first 14 points of the game on a pair of Carter Sommer touchdowns Friday. The Phoenix got on the board with a safety and then Tschetter threw a 28-yard TD reception to Christopher Aasen. 

Tschetter completed 12-of-24 pass attempts for 131 yards and a touchdown. Aasen caught five passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Sperling rushed 16 times for 69 yards and two touchdowns, while Karter Weber caught three passes for 31 yards in the loss.

The Trojans will play in their third straight Class 9AA state championship game, and can be the first team in school history to win back-to-back state championships. 

“I am just happy for our community that we get to experience that altogether,” Grave said.