SPEARFISH, S.D. — A three-and-a-half-hour weather delay could have drained the energy from the Spearfish Spartans Football team and its home crowd. Instead, it only seemed to fuel the team. Once kickoff finally arrived, the Spartans used a blend of explosive offense, stingy defense, and big special teams plays to defeat the Mitchell Kernels 42-16 on Friday night.
The first drive set the tone. Thomas Hughes scrambled for an 8-yard gain despite a bad snap. Mick Bosh picked up 12 yards a few plays later. Hughes then found Kade Vavruska twice for gains of 3 and 21 yards, moving the Spartans into scoring position. Hughes capped the drive himself with a 19-yard touchdown run.
On the Spartans first defensive drive, the Kernels drove but ultimately kicked a field goal to make the score 6-3 with just over 2:30 left to play in the first quarter.
The next possession offensive possession for Spearfish was balanced, featuring runs of -2, 14 and 4 yards from Laythan Lucas and a key 11-yard reception from Karsen Seyer. Hughes later found Jack Coauette for a 32-yard touchdown strike. After an 8-yard Hughes run and short gains by Bosh and Vavruska on the third drive, Hughes broke loose again in the second quarter for a 12-yard touchdown run.
Special teams then swung momentum firmly to Spearfish’s sideline. Vavruska caught a punt near midfield and weaved through defenders for a 57-yard return touchdown, sending the Spartans into halftime with a commanding 28-10 lead.
Mitchell tried to answer in the second half, but Spearfish’s defense stiffened. On then next few defensive drives, Coauette tallied a sack and a forced fumble, while Hughes intercepted a pass and returned it 19 yards. Samuel Marcus, Brock Lewis, and Lucas led a swarm of tacklers that never allowed the Kernels to settle into rhythm. Vavruska also pounced on a second-half fumble recovery.
Offensively, Hughes added a 24-yard touchdown pass to Seyer and later punched in a 5-yard touchdown run to finish his night with five total scores. Bosh ripped off a 46-yard run to highlight his night, and backups Blake Andress and Darin Crooks helped run out the clock late with solid carries.
By game’s end, the Spartans had thoroughly overpowered Mitchell in all three phases of the game. The victory pushed Spearfish to 2-1 ahead of their Homecoming showdown against Aberdeen Central.
Spearfish Spartans Offensive Stats
Thomas Hughes (QB/RB)
Rushing: 10 carries, 65 yards, 3 TDs (19, 12, 5 yards)
Passing: 114 yards, 2 TDs (32-yard to Coauette, 24-yard to Seyer)
Also: 1 INT return, 19 yards
Mick Bosh (RB)
Rushing: 9 carries, 73 yards (long of 46)
Laythan Lucas (RB)
Rushing: 4 carries, 17 yards
Jack Coauette (WR)
Receiving: 3 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD
Karsen Seyer (WR)
Receiving: 2 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD
Kade Vavruska (WR/ATH)
Receiving: 3 catches, 27 yards
Punt return: 57-yard TD
Peyton Jones (WR)
Receiving: 1 catch, 8 yards
Blake Andress (RB)
Rushing: 1 carry, 15 yards
Darin Crooks (RB)
Rushing: 1 carry, 2 yards
Spearfish Spartans Defensive Stats
Jack Coauette – 6 tackles, 1 sack (-9 yards), 1 forced fumble
Thomas Hughes – 2 tackles, 1 INT (19-yard return)
Samuel Marcus – 10 tackles (7 solo, 3 assist)
Laythan Lucas – 6 tackles (4 solo, 2 assist)
Brock Lewis – 8 tackles (5 solo, 3 assist)
Kade Vavruska – 5 tackles (3 solo, 2 assist), 1 fumble recovery
Karsen Seyer – 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assist)
Ziah Torpy – 2 tackles
Connor Aalbu – 1 tackle for loss
Skyler Bryant – 1 tackle for loss (on forced fumble play)
Asher Peil – 2 tackles
Rees Baatz – 2 tackles
Graham Hughes – 2 tackles
Levi Poling – 2 tackles, 1 assist
Ashar Hodgs – 1 assist
Jack Scharf – 2 tackles
Alexander Marich – 1 tackle
Jack Baloun – 1 tackle
Keegan Ozuna – 1 tackle