Titans fall to Brookings in quarterfinal playoff battle, ending season

The Tea Area High School Titans concluded their football season with a hard-fought quarterfinal playoff game against the Brookings Bobcats on October 31 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. Despite a strong start, the Titans were ultimately defeated 23-13, closing their season with a 5-5 record. Brookings now advances to the semifinals, set for Friday, November 8. They will face off against Watertown on Nov. 8 with the winner advancing to the State Championship to be played at the DakotaDome in Vermillion on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. 

Last Thursday night’s game opened with Brookings quickly establishing a lead in the first quarter, scoring a touchdown, though their two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, putting them up 6-0. Shortly after, the Bobcats added a field goal, extending their lead to 9-0.

In the second quarter, Tea Area responded with quarterback Daschle Lowery’s two-yard keeper, followed by a successful extra point by Marshall Smythe, narrowing the gap to 9-7. 

The Titans then pulled ahead with a two-yard rush by Carter Brown. Though the extra point attempt fell short, Tea Area led 13-9.

Brookings, however, quickly regained control, scoring two additional touchdowns in the second quarter with successful extra points, taking a 23-13 lead that they maintained for the remainder of the game.

Tea Area’s offensive efforts yielded a total of 223 yards, with 174 on the ground and 49 through the air. 

Quarterback Daschle Lowery completed two of five pass attempts, totaling 49 passing yards. Tyler Rhead caught a 25-yard pass, and Griffin Wiebenga added a 24-yard reception. 

In the rushing game, Rhead led the Titans with 84 yards on 14 carries, followed by Cole McKinney, who contributed 42 yards on 10 carries. Carter Brown added 27 yards on nine carries, while Kade Korleski gained 14 yards over four carries.

Defensively, Wiebenga led the team with eight tackles, showing strong presence on the field. 

Both Marshall Smythe and Carter Christensen forced fumbles, and Leyton Moran recovered a fumble. Parker Wilson recorded six tackles, while Chase DeBoer, Smythe, and Korleski each added five tackles in the game.