By Rich Winter

605 Sports

VERMILLION — With talented running backs Mason Stubbe and Cole Ruesink, and a hard-working offensive line, Dell Rapids senior quarterback Jack Henry spent a good chunk of his senior season turning and handing the ball off. 

Everyone knows the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior is headed to Brookings this fall. In Friday’s 42-6 win over West Central, Henry reminded everyone why he’s a Division I football player. 

“It felt good to air it out today,” Henry said. “I had to stick to the game plan and that doesn’t really affect me. Whatever the coaches want I can do. If we run, perfect, if we pass I’ll just try my best.”

Henry’s talents were on full display as he completed 9-of-13 passes for 144 yards and five touchdown passes. His efforts landed Henry the Outstanding Back award and the Joe Robbie MVP award. 

Dell Rapids coach Jordan Huska said the 2023 Quarriers had plenty of capable guys at all the skill positions. 

“We have a lot of weapons and ultimately this team was willing to do the little things,” he said.

Running back Mason Stubbe finished with 118 yards and a touchdown while Ruesink finished with 85 yards on the ground. Stubbe, Ruesink and Sutton Williams each had a touchdown reception while Tad Tjaden caught three balls for 58 yards and two touchdowns including a reception off a Quarrier flea flicker.

“Before the game coach (Dustin) Steckler said if we get a turnover we’re coming big,” Henry said. “I handed it off, he threw it. The play was supposed to be to Stubbe but Tad was coming around the corner and I just launched it.” 

Division I quarterback prospects are often seen showcasing their talents by flinging it all over the field. Henry did some of that but ultimately he did whatever the coaches asked in a career that ended with back-to-back Class 11A state titles.

“That’s kinda to his character and he’s a team guy,” Huska said. “We all know where he is going to play football and there was never a conversation about touches or stats or scores or anything like that. It was never brought up and we knew we were all in on trying to do this together and that was our focus.”