Titans fall to Spearfish in season opener, 39-29

The Tea Area High School football team suffered a tough defeat in their season opener against Spearfish, losing 39-29 this past Friday, Aug. 30. This loss marks the Titans’ first season-opening defeat since 2010, ending a 13-game winning streak in season openers. Additionally, it was the first time Tea Area lost to Spearfish, making their all-time record against the Spartans 3-1.

The game began with Tea Area trailing 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Titans responded in the second quarter with a four-yard touchdown run by quarterback Brenner Konrad, though the extra point attempt was blocked. Spearfish managed to score again in the second quarter, extending their lead to 20-6.

Tea Area fought back with another quarterback keeper, as Konrad ran nine yards for a touchdown. Carter Brown successfully ran in for a two-point conversion, bringing the Titans closer at 14-20. The Titans then took the lead when Konrad blocked a Spearfish field goal attempt, and Marshall Smythe recovered the ball for a touchdown. Cole McKinney added a two-point conversion, putting Tea Area ahead 22-20 with just 44 seconds left in the first half.

In the third quarter, Sam Werdel scored an eight-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful point-after kick by Griffin Wiebenga, giving the Titans a 29-20 lead. However, Spearfish quickly responded with a touchdown to narrow the gap to 29-27. The Spartans scored again later in the third quarter, reclaiming the lead at 33-29.

Despite efforts to regain control, Tea Area was unable to score in the fourth quarter. Spearfish found the end zone once more, securing the final score of 39-29.

Tea Area amassed a total of 403 yards of offense, with 283 yards on the ground and 120 yards through the air. Spearfish totaled 354 yards, with 123 rushing and 231 passing.

Konrad led the Tea Area offense, completing seven of 21 passes for 120 yards and throwing three interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 122 yards on 21 attempts, scoring two touchdowns. Sam Werdel also contributed significantly, rushing for 103 yards on 14 carries and scoring one touchdown. Cole McKinney added 26 rushing yards on four carries and caught three passes for 38 yards. Carter Brown rushed for 25 yards on five carries. In the passing game, Riley Svanda caught two passes for 32 yards, while Marshall Smythe had one reception for 38 yards and recovered a blocked field goal for a touchdown. Griffin Wiebenga made one catch for 12 yards.

On the defensive side, Chase DeBoer made a significant impact with nine tackles and two sacks. Caleb Kuhnert and Werdel each recorded six tackles, and Konrad five. Konrad and Kuhnert also combined for a sack. Dawson Eimers and Charlie Leslie contributed with four tackles each. Smythe added three tackles, while Carter Christensen, Jack Gearman, Carter Brown, and Parker Wilson each recorded two tackles.

The Titans will hold their home opener this Friday, Sept. 6 when they host Aberdeen Central in a 6 p.m. match-up. Aberdeen Central is coming off a 20-14 loss to Pierre T.F. Riggs this past weekend.