Following a failed Pine Ridge 4th-and-long attempt the Crusaders took the lead when Anderson hit 6-feet-7 tight end Christian Jack for an 18-yard touchdown reception and a 22-14 halftime lead. 

“I am extremely proud of our guys and we had a legitimate shot to win,” Robert Brave Heart Jr., Mahpiya Luta coach said. “I told the guys to hold their heads up. Pine Ridge is a well-oiled machine and they were stationed to kick our cans in the first half and we came out battling.” 

On Pine Ridge’s first drive of the third quarter the Thorpes marched down the field behind the running of Steele and Danny Davis. The Thorpes looked like they might tie the game but a fumble at the Crusader 10-yard line was recovered by Chaytan Palmier thwarted the drive. 

On a night where the ball wasn’t bouncing their way Pine Ridge finally turned the tide when Ghost Bear intercepted an Anderson pass. Two plays later Richard III hit Steele for a 30-yard touchdown that tied the game at 22 with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter. 

Ghost Bear finished with two touchdown receptions and three interceptions for the Thorpes.

“I was trying to be a two-way player and not be a one trick pony,” he said. “I’m trying to show people I can make big plays on defense and on the defensive side of the ball when we need them.” 

Following a Peters interception the Thorpes took a 30-22 lead on Richard III's 29-yard touchdown run. With the floodgates now open, Steele and Ghost Bear each caught touchdown passes in the game's final minutes to seal the win. 

Pine Ridge's Marvin Richard III scrambles away from Mahpíya Lðta's Daniel Weston (88) during an All-Nations Class 9A semifinal game on Friday at Jim Thorpe Memorial Field in Pine Ridge. (Matt Gade / 605 Sports)

Pedregon talked about the emotional lift from Steele and the talents of Ghost Bear. 

“Anthony is a workhorse and he’s one of those guys you can count on. He makes the fist and he is pretty much the heart and soul of our team,” Pedregon said. “Domonic is just an amazing athlete and does whatever it takes to win and he stepped up for us today.” 

Pedregon has been coaching a number of the Pine Ridge athletes when they first started playing football and talked about the emotions of earning a trip to the Class 9A All-Nations championship game. 

“I’ve been with a lot of these guys since they were in the fifth grade,” he said. “This means a lot to our community and being the first team to make it to the dome. It’s very emotional right now.”