The Pierre Governors sit a top 11AA once again as they would defeat the Tea Area Titans 35-20 on Saturday to record its sixth straight state championship, tying the all-time South Dakota record for consecutive titles.
The Governors would get out to a 7-0 lead halfway through the first quarter with a Lincoln Kienholz 92 yard pass to Jack Merkwan, the longest play in 11AA state championship history. The Titans though, would answer back at the end of the first quarter with a three play 53 yard drive and a 59 yard pass from Maddix Slykhuis to Wyatt Stuntebeck to tie the game at 7-7 heading to the second quarter. Kienholz would find Merkwan again for a 75 yard touchdown throw to reclaim the lead for the Govs who would not lose the lead again. After a Tea score, the extra point was missed sending the game to halftime at 14-13, but it was all Pierre in the second half. Kienholz would find Brock Moser with a four yard touchdown pass and run in two more scores to give Pierre its sixth straight state title. Kienholz, Deegan Houska and Emmit Anderson would each intercept a pass from Slykhuis in the win.
Merkwan would finish with 234 receiving yards breaking the single game record of 229 set by Zach Letellier in 2020. Kienholz would throw for 274 yards and run for another 121 as he was selected the MVP of the state title game for the third straight year. Merkwan would be selected as the most outstanding back and Gavin Stotts picked up the most outstanding lineman for the game. Pierre finishes the season with a perfect 12-0 record. Steve Steele, head coach of the Governors says the team enjoyed every second of the season…
Kienholz says being named MVP means a lot…
Merkwan feels blessed to have broken records in his final game and explains how it was able to happen…
The Governors will have a welcome home at the High School on Monday at 6:00.
