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Spearfish Spartans enjoying resurgence season on the gridiron
Spearfish's Seth Hamilton carries the ball against Belle Fourche on Sept. 22 in Spearfish.
(Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Spearfish Spartans enjoying resurgence season on the gridiron

Sep 25, 2023
  

By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

SPEARFISH — Dalton Wademan gives credit where credit is due for Spearfish’s football transformation. 

“It’s the kids,” said Wademan, who is the Spearfish High School football coach. “The kids have bought in. Our seniors have been with us now for four years, the first group that's been with us four years, and they bought in and they are leading this group and it’s fun to watch.”

Wademan took over the program in 2020, one year after the Spartans failed to win a game. Wademan’s first season, when the current seniors were freshmen, included another winless campaign. 

The Spartans, however, turned the corner the past two seasons, winning four games in each 2021 and ‘22. Spearfish’s resurgence has continued in a big way this season.

The Spartans are ranked No. 5 in Class 11AA, and at 4-1, have already equaled last season’s win total. 

“It’s amazing,” Spearfish senior quarterback Seth Hamilton said about the turnaround. “Wademan has done a lot with the program. He was here our freshmen year and we got stuck in a position where we had to go play varsity as freshmen. So it’s just a great feeling to see a turnaround like this.” 

Spearfish's Hunter Walters (6) carries the ball against Belle Fourche on Sept. 22 in Spearfish. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Hamilton is one of six seniors that have spearheaded the Spartan turnaround, joining Cody Chapman, Brayden Delahoyde, Caden Langenfeld, Dawson Wood and Kolter Robbins. 

“They know the expectations,” Wademan added about the seniors. “They hold the team accountable, and they take the ship and run with it.”

Hamilton, a dual-threat quarterback, is again steering the Spartans’ ship this season. The 6-foot, 175-pound signal caller has been a four-year regular, and as a result, Wademan said he’s mastered the offensive scheme.

“Having him for four full years in our program, he knows all the wrinkles,” Wademan said. “The ins and outs of our offense. He can make me right, if I am wrong and if we add something real quick he can take it and run with it. So it’s great to have him back there.”


In Spearfish’s recent win over Belle Fourche on Sept. 22, Hamilton accounted for six total touchdowns — three rushing and three passing — in a 40-7 win over the Broncs. Hamilton passed for 293 yards and ran for 50 more yards.  

Hamilton threw passing touchdowns to Dylon Doren, Langenfeld and Hunter Walters, while rushing for three more scores. Langenfeld hauled in five catches for 133 yards. 

Spearfish’s receiving corps took a hit when the 6-foot-4 Delahoyde, a South Dakota State University football commit, suffered a knee injury earlier this season. 

But as Hamilton points out, it’s allowed others to step up and shine. 

“We’ve built a great connection, the three that have been starting,” Hamilton said. “It’s just been a nice connection for us to have.”

Spearfish's Caden Langenfeld (16) carries the ball against Belle Fourche on Sept. 22 in Spearfish. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

The Spartans’ lone defeat was against Class 11AA No. 2 Yankton, a 42-27 setback. In addition to the Belle Fourche win, Spearfish has defeated St. Thomas More (51-27), Douglas (47-20) and Brookings (31-0). 

“Our offense continues to battle,” Wademan said about the Spartans. “Our O-Line continues to get better and better. Seth Hamilton does a great job of leading our offense. On defense, we continue to get better and better on that side, too. Those guys keep flying around — 11 to the football and it’s fun to watch.”

Up next, Spearfish will play at Mitchell (0-5) before its schedule bulks up. The Spartans will host No. 3 Tea Area and No. 4 Watertown on Oct. 6 and Oct. 13, respectively. 

“They are big games,” Hamilton said. “We need to come out and have great weeks of practice. Tonight (Sept. 22) we sharpened our plays like Wademan would say and we just have to keep grinding every day.” 

A host of Spearfish tacklers bring down a Belle Fourche ball carrier on Sept. 22 in Spearfish. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

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