WATERTOWN, S.D. — A difficult first half didn’t keep the Spearfish Spartans from making things interesting Friday night.
Spearfish erased much of a 19-point deficit behind a strong second-half offensive performance, pulling within one possession twice in the fourth quarter before falling to the Watertown Arrows, 26-20, on Friday, Aug. 28.
The Spartans scored all 20 of their points after halftime and finished with several explosive plays through the air and on the ground. However, three turnovers, penalties and a handful of costly mistakes ultimately proved difficult to overcome.
Arrows Control the Clock Early
Watertown opened the game with a methodical drive that consumed nearly eight minutes of the first quarter.
The Arrows converted multiple third downs along the way, including a 20-yard completion from Kaeden Himmerich to Tyson Miller on third-and-5 and an 11-yard run by Himmerich on third-and-7.
Spearfish’s defense eventually made the stop, forcing Watertown to settle for a 38-yard Carson Schlaht field goal and a 3-0 lead.
The Spartans responded with a promising opening possession.
Graham Hughes moved the chains with a 9-yard run on third down before quarterback Thomas Hughes connected with Karsen Seyer for a 32-yard gain. A bad snap resulted in an 11-yard loss as the drive carried into the second quarter, and Spearfish eventually turned the ball over on a fumble.
Watertown again moved into Spearfish territory on its next possession, but the Spartan defense kept the Arrows out of the end zone. Kade Vavruska recorded a sack during the drive before Schlaht converted from 41 yards to extend the lead to 6-0.
Spearfish continued to find opportunities offensively. Graham Hughes opened the Spartans’ next possession with a 7-yard run, and Thomas Hughes added a 12-yard run. A holding penalty helped derail the drive, however, and Spearfish was forced to punt.
Watertown finally found the end zone later in the second quarter. Cooper Schutt broke loose for a 23-yard run before Miller eventually finished the possession with a 6-yard touchdown run.
The Arrows took a 12-0 advantage into halftime.
Watertown Extends Lead Before Spartans Respond
Spearfish received the ball to begin the second half, but another turnover quickly gave Watertown an opportunity.
Watertown capitalized when Himmerich connected with Kye Paulson for a 29-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 19-0.
Instead of allowing the game to get away, Spearfish responded with its best offensive stretch of the night.
Graham Hughes helped lead the ensuing drive with runs of 16 and 11 yards. Thomas Hughes added a 24-yard run as the Spartans steadily worked their way down the field.
Graham Hughes eventually powered across the goal line from 1 yard out with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter to put Spearfish on the board.
The score provided a spark on both sides of the football.
Spearfish’s defense forced Watertown to punt on its next possession, giving the offense another opportunity. Thomas Hughes connected with Vavruska for 19 yards on the ensuing drive, but a fumble brought the possession to an early end.
It was Spearfish’s third turnover of the game.
The Spartan defense responded once again.
Watertown moved into Spearfish territory behind its rushing attack, but Spearfish eventually forced a turnover on downs to keep the comeback opportunity alive.
Big Plays Pull Spearfish Within Five
The Spartans wasted little time taking advantage.
Thomas Hughes connected with Seyer for a 38-yard gain before finding Vavruska for another 33 yards on the next completion.
Two passes had suddenly flipped the field and put Spearfish in position to score.
Graham Hughes finished the possession with his second 1-yard touchdown run of the game, cutting Watertown’s advantage to 19-14 with 7:41 remaining.
Watertown responded with a lengthy rushing drive of its own.
Schutt delivered several key runs, including an 18-yard gain, as the Arrows worked their way down the field and drained valuable time off the clock. He eventually finished the possession with a 9-yard touchdown run to make it 26-14.
Spearfish still wasn’t finished.
Hughes Finds Seyer for Late Touchdown
With time running out, Thomas Hughes went back to the air.
The Spartans moved down the field behind completions to Vavruska and Payton Jones, including a 25-yard reception by Jones.
Spearfish continued pushing toward the end zone before Hughes connected with Seyer for a 5-yard touchdown with eight seconds remaining.
The touchdown capped a strong second half for Hughes and brought Spearfish within six at 26-20.
The Spartans missed the ensuing extra point before attempting an onside kick. Watertown recovered, allowing the Arrows to secure the 26-20 victory.
Spearfish Passing Attack Comes Alive
After a difficult start, Thomas Hughes finished 13-of-22 passing for 198 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Vavruska became his primary target, catching eight passes for 101 yards. Seyer provided the explosive element with three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Jones added one reception for 25 yards, while Liam Goetz recorded one reception for a 3-yard loss.
Those numbers reconcile exactly with Hughes’ 13 completions for 198 yards.
Spearfish’s passing game produced some of its biggest plays when the Spartans needed them most. Hughes completed passes of 38 and 32 yards to Seyer and connected with Vavruska for a 33-yard gain during the fourth-quarter comeback.
Graham Hughes provided balance on the ground, finishing with 15 carries for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
Thomas Hughes also made an impact with his legs, finishing with 11 carries for 56 yards based on the Spartans’ unofficial game totals. His night included runs of 24, 12 and 11 yards.
Defense Gives Spartans Opportunities
Spearfish’s defense was challenged by a Watertown rushing attack led by Schutt, who finished with 132 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Despite Watertown’s success on the ground, the Spartan defense came up with several stops that kept Spearfish within striking distance.
Jack Scharf was consistently around the football and finished with 10 tackles based on Odrix Sports’ unofficial totals. Brock Lewis added seven tackles, while Vavruska recorded six tackles and a sack.
Keller Vega was another presence in the Watertown backfield, recording three tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. Drew Durdall also finished with three tackles.
The defense held Watertown to field goals on each of its first two possessions, forced a second-half punt and later produced a turnover on downs that directly preceded Spearfish’s second touchdown.
Those stops helped give the Spartans a chance despite the early deficit.
Plenty to Build on After Week 1
For Spearfish, the difference ultimately came down to mistakes.
The Spartans turned the football over three times, committed costly penalties and lost 11 yards on a bad snap during their opening possession. Multiple Spearfish drives showed promise before being interrupted by mistakes.
Yet the Spartans also showed what their offense can look like when those mistakes are eliminated.
After entering halftime scoreless and eventually falling behind 19-0, Spearfish scored 20 points and generated multiple explosive plays in the second half.
Hughes threw for nearly 200 yards, Vavruska eclipsed 100 receiving yards, Seyer averaged 25 yards per reception and Graham Hughes found the end zone twice.
Most importantly, Spearfish continued battling.
A game that appeared to be slipping away early in the third quarter became a one-score contest in the fourth, and the Spartans were still fighting for an onside kick with eight seconds remaining.
Spearfish opens the season 0-1 and will look to build on its second-half performance when the Spartans return home to face Mitchell.
Spearfish Stat Leaders
Passing
Thomas Hughes: 13-of-22, 198 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Graham Hughes: 15 carries, 71 yards, 2 TD
Thomas Hughes: 11 carries, 56 yards
Receiving
Kade Vavruska: 8 receptions, 101 yards
Karsen Seyer: 3 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD
Payton Jones: 1 reception, 25 yards
Liam Goetz: 1 reception, -3 yards
Defense
Jack Scharf: 10 tackles
Brock Lewis: 7 tackles
Kade Vavruska: 6 tackles, 1 sack
Keller Vega: 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL
Drew Durdall: 3 tackles
Final: Watertown 26, Spearfish 20