VERMILLION Elkton-Lake Benton head coach Ethan Pearson and two area assistant coaches were honored by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association as they announced their year-end awards during the South Dakota High School Athletics Associations state championship games this past weekend.
Pearson was named as the Class 9AA Coach of the Year after leading Elkton-Lake Benton to a 9-2 record this season. The Elks have been state title contenders under Pearson with a 27-5 record over the past three seasons and advanced to the state semifinals in 2022, falling to Parkston.
Pearson was joined by his assistant Kaleb Haas, who also took home the Class 9AA Assistant Coach of the Year Award. Haas was one of two area assistants to be honored as Sioux Valleys Matthew Caldwell was named the Class 11B Middle School Coach of the Year.
Brandon Valleys Matt Christensen (Class 11AAA), Spearfishs Tom Tieszen (11AA), Sioux Falls Christians Jared Smith (11A), Mount Vernon-Plankintons Brent Olson (11B), Howards Pat Ruml (9A), Faulkton Areas Shayne Geditz (9B) and Lower Brules Charlie LaRoche (All Nations) were named the 2024 Coach of the Year for the SDFBCA.
Brandon Valleys Dylan Briest (Class 11AAA), Watertowns Kelly OConnor (11AA), Craig Jorgensen of Dell Rapids (11A), Elk-Point Jeffersons Adam Timmins (11B), Alcester-Hudsons Mitchell Johnson (9A), Faulktons Chad Spicer (9B) and Todd Countys Ryan Kornely (All Nations) were named the SDFBCAs Assistant Coaches of the year. Timmins was named the State Assistant Coach of the Year.
Watertowns Bill Weber was named the SDFBCAs State Friend of Football, Kurtiss Riggs of Sioux Falls was named the 2024 Keeper of the Game and fellow Sioux Falls native Brian Hansen was named the 2024 Hometown Hero.
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