VERMILLION, S.D. — An offensive outburst powered Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy to the Class 9AA state football championship Thursday night, as the Phoenix stormed past Elkton-Lake Benton 46-22 inside the DakotaDome.
Behind a dominant performance from senior quarterback Riley Tschetter, FMFA (12-0) claimed the program’s first 9AA title and capped an unbeaten season. Tschetter accounted for 318 total yards and four touchdowns while earning the Joe Robbie Most Valuable Player award.
Running back and receiver hybrid Luke Peters — named the game’s Outstanding Back — scored three touchdowns and piled up 138 all-purpose yards. Two-way force Tate Sorensen anchored the Phoenix line on both sides of the ball, earning Outstanding Lineman honors.
Fast start sets the tone
FMFA scored on the very first snap of the game, when Tschetter hit Peters down the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown just 17 seconds in. Peters added the conversion for an 8-0 lead.
Elkton-Lake Benton (10-2) answered quickly. Quarterback Colt Beck connected with Myles Poindexter for a 49-yard score, and after FMFA responded with a 45-yard touchdown strike from Tschetter to David Walter, Beck kept the ball on a 23-yard touchdown run to bring the Elks within 16-14 late in the first quarter.
From there, the Phoenix took control.
Phoenix pull away before halftime
FMFA erupted for 21 unanswered second-quarter points, using short fields, balance, and explosive plays to seize momentum.
Tschetter found Sorensen on a 21-yard touchdown early in the quarter. After an interception by the Phoenix defense, Peters punched in a 6-yard score, then added a 4-yard rushing touchdown with 1:56 left before halftime, extending the lead to 37-14 at the break.
The Phoenix finished the night a perfect 6-for-6 in the red zone, while the defense forced two turnovers and recorded four sacks, including two by Sorensen.
Second half control
FMFA methodically closed out the game, opening the third quarter with a grinding 35-yard scoring drive capped by a 3-yard keeper from Tschetter.
Kicker Tayden Kerrigan added a 35-yard field goal early in the fourth to stretch the lead to 46-14.
Beck managed his second rushing score of the game — an 11-yard run with 4:54 to play — and added a successful two-point pass, but that was the final spark for the Elks.
Offensive firepower leads the way
FMFA finished with 407 total yards, averaging 8.0 yards per play. Tschetter completed 15 of 22 passes for 315 yards with no interceptions, spreading the ball to seven different receivers. Walter caught four passes for 113 yards, while Easton Tschetter added five catches for 77 yards.
Peters ran 16 times for 65 yards and two touchdowns while adding the long receiving score.
Elkton-Lake Benton was paced by Beck, who totaled 233 combined rushing and passing yards and all three Elk scores. Poindexter led ELB defensively with 15 tackles.
Championship awards
-
Joe Robbie MVP: Riley Tschetter, FMFA
-
Outstanding Back: Luke Peters, FMFA
-
Outstanding Lineman: Tate Sorensen, FMFA