Preview: Bucks Host Sturgis With Title Berth On The Line
It’s do-or-die time again for the Yankton Bucks as they face the Sturgis Scoopers in the Class 11AA football semifinals. The winner earns a trip to the DakotaDome and a shot at the championship.
Five weeks ago, Sturgis defeated Yankton 27-21 at home, a result the Bucks hope to overturn in this rematch.
“We’re going in with the mindset that this is strictly a business meeting,” said lineman Austin Conway. “They beat us fair and square the first time, but now it’s a clean slate and we have to go out there and win.”
Conway has recorded 30 tackles this season, anchoring a defense that has limited Class 11AA opponents to just 15.4 points per game.
“We have to stay diligent in our responsibilities,” head coach Brady Muth said. “They executed a lot of big plays last time we saw them, and it was a lot of our guys trying to do too much.”
On offense, the Bucks are coming off one of their strongest rushing performances of the year. Senior running back Jace Sedlacek carried the ball over 25 times for more than 150 yards in a gritty 12-7 win over Spearfish.
“We have to block better this game,” Muth added. “They play an active defense that makes it difficult to read where the linebackers will attack from.”
Author’s Summary
The Yankton Bucks seek redemption against Sturgis in a high-stakes semifinal, driven by discipline, improved blocking, and the goal of reaching the DakotaDome final.