VERMILLION, S.D. — A historic season for Dell Rapids St. Mary’s ended with a trophy and a statement.
Sparked by a 30-point first quarter and a dominant two-way performance from senior star Lincoln LeBrun, St. Mary’s rolled to a 54-6 victory over Avon in the Class 9B state championship game Thursday at the DakotaDome. The win delivered the Cardinals their second football state title in school history and their first-ever undefeated season, finishing 12-0.
LeBrun, who rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries, was named both the Outstanding Back and the Joe Robbie MVP. Senior lineman Alexander Lindeman earned Outstanding Lineman honors after anchoring a front that paved the way for 246 rushing yards and recorded eight tackles for loss on defense.
And from the opening kick, the Cardinals never gave Avon a chance.
A first quarter avalanche
St. Mary’s scored on its first four possessions, turning two Avon fumbles into instant touchdowns.
Quarterback Trimmier Hanson capped the opening drive with a 5-yard score, then the Cardinals struck again just nine seconds later when Thomas LaVoy ripped off a 41-yard touchdown immediately following a turnover.
LeBrun followed with touchdown runs of 22 and 62 yards, his long score coming with :50 left in the quarter, giving St. Mary’s a commanding 30-0 lead after one.
Avon’s only score came early in the second quarter, when Easton Sees punched in a 1-yard touchdown to trim the margin to 30-6. But the Pirates’ momentum ended there.
Cardinals defense seals it
St. Mary’s forced four fumbles and two interceptions, scoring on two of Avon’s turnovers in the third quarter. On Avon’s first possession of the second half, Sees was hit and lost the ball at the 34, where Kade Lutt scooped it up and returned it for a touchdown.
Later in the quarter, LaVoy jumped a pass and returned the interception 33 yards for another score, pushing the lead to 46-6.
Defensively, LeBrun led the Cardinals with 10 tackles, while Lindeman collected eight stops, a sack, and a tackle for loss.
Hanson pilots efficient offense
Offensively, Hanson ran for 31 yards and a touchdown and completed 4 of 6 passes for 114 yards and a 63-yard touchdown strike to Logan Bauer early in the fourth quarter.
Bauer finished with 59 receiving yards, and Lutt added another 33 as St. Mary’s averaged a blistering 8.2 yards per play.
Avon battles, but turnovers prove costly
The Pirates (10-2) moved the ball at times rushing for 131 yards, but the six turnovers were too much to overcome. Sees led Avon with 43 all-purpose yards and scored the Pirates’ lone touchdown.
Defensively, Al’Shamon Gunter and Weston Bierema each tallied 11 tackles to lead the Pirates.