VOLGA Sioux Valley advanced to the Class 11B quarterfinals on Thursday night as the top-seeded Cossacks ran away from Deuel in the second half, winning 47-26.
The Cossacks led 14-7 at halftime and then outscored the Cardinals 33-19 in the second half. Sioux Valley head coach Dan Hughes said he thought it took awhile for his team to get it going offensively because of each teams game plan.
The start, we wanted to run the ball and they wanted to run the ball, and that really shortens the game and limits possessions. I wouldnt say it was a slow start by either team, it was just how the game was played (Thursday night), Hughes said.
Deuel recovered an onside kick to start the game. The Cardinals would get one first down, but ended up punting. The Cossacks then took their first drive into the red zone, but were stopped on a fourth and five. The first quarter would end with it being 0-0.
The Cossacks then got their ground game going. Brock Christopherson ripped off a long run and that set up a 25-yard touchdown run from Donovan Rose. The Cossacks forced another punt and then Christopherson took a run 48 yards to the house to make it 14-0 with 2:22 left in the first half.
The line did an outstanding job of doing their job (on those touchdown runs), Hughes said. Covering the guys they were supposed to cover, and then the backs did a good job of making guys miss. We believe our backs can make guys miss and thats what they did and it worked out really well.
However, the Cardinals would get on the board before the end of the half. Aidan Sievers dropped back to pass and launched a 32-yard throw to the end zone where Gabe Sather was there to catch it and make it 14-7 at halftime.
Sioux Valley would kick off to start the second half and hit a line drive kick at an upman. It hit off the Cardinals player and the Cossacks jumped on it. Christopherson then ran in a 13-yard touchdown to make it 21-7 53 seconds into the second half.
The same thing happened on the second kickoff of the second half and the Cossacks hopped on the fumble again. They would drive down the field and Rose plunged into the end zone from two yards out to push the lead to 28-7.
The Cardinals wouldnt go away though as Sievers and Sather connected on another long pass. This time it was a 53-yard touchdown and that cut the Cossack lead to 28-14 with five minutes to play in the third.
Sioux Valley would go right down and score again though. This time it was Mitchell Guthmiller who took it into the end zone from 15 yards out. The extra point was blocked and it was 34-14 with 43 seconds left in the third.
Deuel would score again early in the fourth. Sievers found Sather yet again but this time it was a four-yard score. The extra point was blocked and so it remained a 14-point game with 10:03 to play.
Sioux Valley would then put the game away with two more touchdowns. Jakob Guthmikller had a four-yard touchdown and Wyatt Hardt ran it in from seven yards out. The Cossacks went for two on the Hardt touchdown and didnt get it so it was 47-20 with 4:23 left in the game.
The Hardt touchdown was set up by yet another Deuel fumble on the kickoff. Hughes said he thought the Cossacks deserved some luck on the kickoffs after what happened on the first one of the game.
They started the game with (an onside kick) and we felt like we owed them a couple, Hughes said.
A Brock Johnson four-yard touchdown made the final 47-26.
Sioux Valley had 473 rushing yards. Rose led the Cossacks with 205 yards on 23 carries. The 205 yards made him the all-time rushing leader at Sioux Valley and he also broke the scoring record with the two touchdowns.
Christopherson had 203 yards on 12 carries. Jakob Guthmiller had six carries for 25 yards.
Sievers was 11-for-15 with 222 yards. Sather had eight catches for 150 yards. Hughes said sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the opponent.
They have a really special talented wide receiver and he had a really good game. I thought our guys responded well. Their quarterback was able to get it to him. They have a quarterback with a really strong arm, Hughes said.
The Cossack defense was led by Rose, who had nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Christopherson and Jakob Guthmiller each had eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Mitchell Guthmiller had eight tackles.
Sioux Valley will take on No. 9 seeded Mobridge-Pollock on Oct. 31. The Tigers beat McCook Central-Montrose 36-18 on Thursday night in the first round. The winner of that game will play No. 4 Elk Point-Jefferson or No. 5 Clark/Willow Lake in the semifinals.
Were going to enjoy this win for 24 hours and then were going to regroup and put a plan together against Mobridge, Hughes said.
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