By 605 Sports Staff

VERMILLION - The Sioux Falls Jefferson Cavaliers rose to the top of the Class 11AAA ranks, defeating Harrisburg, 48-21, for the Class 11AAA championship on Saturday in Vermillion. The win was the school’s first state title in just its second year as a high school.

Despite Harrisburg leading 7-0 after the first quarter, the Cavaliers used a 21-7 second quarter to take a 21-14 lead into the half, before using a 21-0 third quarter to pull away from the defending champion Tigers. 

On the third quarter momentum, Sioux Falls Jefferson head coach Vince Benedetto noted, “We made some adjustments at halftime and our kids executed them well. Defense came out and did a good job and our playmakers made plays.”

Sioux Falls Jefferson captured its first football championship Saturday night at the DakotaDome in Vermillion with a 48-21 win over Harrisburg to capture the 11AAA title. (Rodney Haas/605 Sports)

From there the Cavaliers cruised to the victory, led by Joe Robbie MVP Taylen Ashley, who went 14-of-16 passing for 203 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 61 rushing yards and two more scores. Running back Nelson Wright rushed for 162 yards and three rushing touchdowns, while Robert Hutchinson led with 79 receiving yards and one touchdown. Sam Siegfried added a touchdown reception. Sioux Falls Jefferson totaled 429 yards of offense.

Sioux Falls Jefferson running back Nelson Wright runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Cavaliers’ 48-21 win over Harrisburg to capture the 11AAA title Saturday night at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. Wright ended the night rushing for 162 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns. (Rodney Haas/605 Sports)

Harrisburg’s Dylan Elrod passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns, while Gavin Ross rushed for 78 yards. Tytan Tryon led with 140 receiving yards and one touchdown, while Aidan Foley added a receiving touchdown. Max Carlson added a rushing touchdown.

Benedetto noted how proud he was of his team’s efforts, stating, “Harrisburg is a really good team and they came out swinging and we responded. Good teams respond to adversity. I'm just really proud of our kids.”