HURON, S.D. — Despite late-game heroics in a highly anticipated Class AA Football matchup, the Spearfish Spartans fell to the Huron Tigers 27-25 on the road Friday night.
Although the Spartans dropped to 3-2 on the season, they showed just how dangerous they can be with a late fourth-quarter comeback against one of the state’s top teams.
Spearfish turned the ball over three times, committed costly penalties that erased big plays, and allowed the most points they’ve given up all season. Yet, they never seemed out of the game—a testament to the talent and coaching on the Spartans’ sideline.
The Spartans opened with a promising drive highlighted by a 19-yard run from junior QB Thomas Hughes and a 30-yard connection with Karsen Seyer. However, Hughes was intercepted in the end zone, ending the drive and giving Huron the ball at its own 20.
Hughes quickly responded, intercepting a pass and returning it 33 yards for a touchdown to give Spearfish a 6-0 lead. Early in the second quarter, Hughes connected with Seyer for a 14-yard score, extending the lead to 12-0.
Huron answered with a 13-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped by a 20-yard score to make it 12-6. On their next possession, the Tigers reached the Spartans’ two-yard line before Brock Lewis and Samuel Marcus combined for a tackle for loss, forcing a turnover on downs.
Momentum swung before halftime. A safety from an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone and a 38-yard Huron touchdown pass gave the Tigers a 15-12 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, Spearfish responded with an 11-play, 35-yard drive capped by Hughes’ two-yard rushing score. Marcus’ extra point put the Spartans back in front 19-15. But Huron struck back with two straight touchdowns following Spartan turnovers and a punt, pulling ahead 27-19.
With just over two minutes left, Hughes led a 57-yard drive and capped it with a six-yard touchdown run. The Spartans went for two to tie the game but were stopped short, leaving the score 27-25. Huron then ran out the clock to improve to 4-1.
Spearfish totaled 319 yards of offense. Hughes led the way with 72 rushing yards on 15 attempts, scoring twice on the ground, while completing 15 of 24 passes for 156 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Seyer led all receivers with six catches for 77 yards and a score. Jack Couette added four receptions for 45 yards, and Kade Vavruska had three grabs for 32 yards. Senior RB Mick Bosh contributed 53 rushing yards on eight carries.
Defensively, Laythan Lucas paced the Spartans with 13 tackles, followed by Marcus with eight and Lewis with five.
Next, the Spartans return home to face Watertown on Friday, October 3. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
