Pierre Cruises Past Mitchell 47-7 to Advance in Class 11AA Playoffs

The Mitchell High School football team found out the hard way what top-seeded playoff football looks like on Thursday night. Returning to the Class 11AA postseason bracket for the first time since 2021, the eighth-seeded Kernels ran into a buzzsaw at Hollister Field, dropping a 47-7 decision to No. 1 Pierre.

For Pierre, the victory keeps an unblemished season intact at 10-0 while extending a remarkable offensive streak that has seen the Governors score at least 38 points in every single outing this year. The win sends Pierre forward to a state semifinal matchup scheduled for Nov. 6 against No. 5 Sturgis. Mitchell’s season concludes at 4-6.

A Rapid Governor Opening

The tone of the night was set in the opening minutes. Pierre needed only six plays across its first three possessions to reach the end zone three separate times. Quarterback Jerren Deal got the scoring started with a 10-yard touchdown run. After forcing a Mitchell punt, Deal found Porter Hunsley streaking down the middle of the field on a 72-yard post route, pushing the lead to 14-0 less than six minutes into the contest.

Before the first half expired, Deal added touchdown throws of over 30 yards to Cooper Terwilliger and Will Danburg, the latter hauling in a one-handed catch that stretched the margin to 27-0. Hudson Stoeser then tacked on a 60-yard punt return touchdown with 6:23 remaining before halftime.

That’s why Pierre is No. 1. And why they haven’t had a close game against anybody all year, plain and simple. They’re really, really good and the film doesn’t do them justice. — Mitchell coach Pat Larson

Trailing 27-0, the Kernels managed to find some traction with their ground game. Mitchell strung together an 18-play, 53-yard drive that ate up the remainder of the clock before halftime. The visitors converted two fourth downs and worked their way down to the Pierre 20-yard line before a fourth-and-18 situation resulted in a Hail Mary interception.

The Second-Half Response

With a running clock in effect in the fourth quarter and a 47-0 deficit staring them down, the Kernels broke through on the scoreboard. Senior Kyson Herrmann took over at quarterback, utilizing a direct-snap running game to spark a six-play, 60-yard drive. Herrmann capped the possession with a 3-yard touchdown run, and Gavin Zilla added the extra point.

Herrmann finished as Mitchell’s leading rusher, picking up 62 yards on six carries in the second half. Tayven Red Day contributed 38 yards on seven touches, Bailor Kristensen added 38 yards on 10 carries, and Lawson LeBrun chipped in 37 yards on 10 rushes. Quarterback Brady Hoesing went 1-for-6 passing for 4 yards with an interception.

On the other side, Deal put up 268 yards through the air on an 8-for-12 passing night. Hunsley led all receivers with 117 yards from scrimmage, including his 72-yard touchdown reception and a later 45-yard scoring run. Stoeser pulled in a 66-yard catch, while Terwilliger notched 72 yards on three receptions. Brecken Fuhrman added a 32-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

Total offense heavily favored the hosts, who racked up 461 yards, including 310 passing yards. Mitchell totaled 184 yards of offense, churning out 180 of those on Hollister Field via 50 rushing attempts while going 3-for-11 on third downs.

Defensively for the Kernels, Bryer Stach registered a sack, while Owen Schelske and Noah Bennett each recorded tackles for loss.

“I thought we played hard. We competed as best we could, and we know where we stack up now,” Larson told KORN-AM radio after the game, as reported by the Mitchell Republic. “We know where the next step is for us to take, for us to get to that level, and that’s what we’re going to have to work on in the offseason.”

Reflecting on the roster turnover ahead, Larson noted the foundation built by the departing class. “We’ve got to work on moving forward. I couldn’t be prouder of this group of kids, where we put this program, and now we’ve just got to work on taking the next step. We’re going to miss these 10 seniors; they’ve been there all four years of me being in charge. The growth of this program, they’re a big part of that.”

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