By Ryan Deal

605 Sports

VERMILLION — Pierre’s Lincoln Kienholz put an exclamation point on a legendary South Dakota high school football career on Saturday. 

Kienholz, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound do-it-all quarterback, powered the Governors to their sixth consecutive Class 11AA state championship at the DakotaDome. 

During Kienholz’s three years as a starter, he was the Joe Robbie MVP for an unprecedented three straight seasons and broke the state’s all-time passing record. 

“My past four years have been incredible,” Kienholz said. “Being around the coaches and being around my best friends has been a great experience.” 

Kienholz finished his career with 9,100 passing yards and 104 passing touchdowns, while rushing for 3,502 yards and 44 rushing touchdowns. 

Pierre quarterback Lincoln Kienholz runs for a gain during the second half of the 11AA championship at the DakotaDome in Vermillion on Saturday. (Rodney Haas/605 Sports)

Kienholz said he couldn’t help but think about the individual numbers, but as any quarterback would, he passed off the credit to those around him.  

“I have to credit all my success to my linemen and my receivers,” Kienholz said. “Because without them I would not be here without them.” 

It all led to Kienholz being a highly sought-after-football recruit. Kienholz, who is also an all-state baseball and basketball player, is ranked by multiple football recruiting services. In the summer, Kienholz picked the University of Washington over other Power Five Conference programs. 

“I am blessed to be able to play with Lincoln,” Pierre senior wide receiver Jack Merkwan said. “He’s one of the best in the country and there’s a reason. He’s a dog.”

Kienholz showed it again Saturday. Against Tea Area, Kienholz completed 14 of 28 passes for 274 yards and threw three passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 121 yards on 32 carries and had two more scores. 

The Governors (12-0) became the second team in state history to claim six straight state football championships, joining West Central from 2000-05. 

Pierre quarterback Lincoln Kienholz shares a moment with his teammates following the Governors’ 35-20 win over Tea Area to capture their sixth-straight 11AA state championship on Saturday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. (Rodney Haas/605 Sports)

“It feels amazing because we were preaching perfection all year and we just went 12-0,” Kienholz said. “We kind of set those goals early and I think we all bought into that.”

Kienholz added a fourth-quarter interception on defense to help seal the victory. 

“He’s just an incredible athlete,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “It would be hard pressed to find anybody that does not agree that he’s the best player in the state.”

While the state was only exposed to Kienholz on game nights, Steele saw another side of him off the field. 

“He’s just a fun kid to be around and just like the rest of the senior class, he just enjoys it,” Steele said. “He loves playing football. He loves playing with his friends and he loves playing for Pierre.”