Titans shutout Mitchell in Homecoming victory

After rebounding from an opening-week loss to Spearfish, the Tea Area High School football team has charged back into the top five of the state football poll this week. In the latest shakeup of the South Dakota Prep Media Football Poll for Class 11AA, the Titans now hold the No. 4 spot, overtaking No. 5-ranked Spearfish and pushing powerhouse Pierre out of the top five. 

With a record of 4-1, Tea Area has strung together four consecutive victories since their 39-29 defeat to the Spartans on August 30. During this impressive run, the Titans have averaged 48 points per game. 

The Titans’ most recent triumph was a commanding 54-0 shutout over Mitchell on Friday, September 27, during Tea Area’s 2024 Homecoming match-up. 

The game saw an early offensive explosion from the Titans, beginning with Carter Brown’s one-yard touchdown run, followed by Marshall Smythe’s extra point to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Sam Werdel then powered in a six-yard carry, but Smythe missed the PAT, putting the Titans up 13-0. Moments later, Dawson Eimers broke loose for a 35-yard touchdown, though a two-point conversion attempt by Daschle Lowery to Tyler Rhead failed, Tea Area still took a 19-0 advantage.

In the second quarter, Eimers continued his dominance with a 21-yard touchdown run, and Smythe’s kick extended the lead to 26-0. Lowery then connected with Eimers on a 21-yard touchdown pass, with Smythe adding the extra point, sending the Titans into halftime with a 33-0 lead.

The third quarter saw more of the same as Cole McKinney punched in a one-yard score, with Smythe adding the PAT to make it 40-0. Quarterback Mitch Grant then found Cole Northup for a 12-yard touchdown, and Smythe’s kick pushed the margin to 47-0. In the fourth quarter, Rhead capped off the scoring with a four-yard touchdown run, with Smythe’s extra point sealing the 54-0 victory.

Tea Area dominated the game offensively, racking up 511 yards of total offense, including 408 yards on the ground and 103 through the air. Mitchell was held to just 95 total yards, with only 29 coming from rushing and 66 from passing. Lowery completed five of ten passes for 91 yards and a touchdown, while Grant completed his lone attempt for a 12-yard score.

In the receiving game, Eimers led the way with two catches for 43 yards, while Werdel added two receptions for 18 yards. Riley Svanda contributed a 30-yard catch, and Northup grabbed a 12-yard touchdown pass.

On the ground, Grant’s lone carry went for a staggering 95 yards. Werdel had eight attempts for 76 yards, Eimers added three carries for 60 yards, and Carter Brown rushed three times for 49 yards. Rhead chipped in with six carries for 36 yards, while Brady Tapia contributed 16 yards on four carries.

Defensively, Leyton Moran, Werdel, and Griffin Wiebenga each registered four tackles, with Brown adding three. Several others recorded two tackles, including Parker Wilson, Carter Christensen, Caleb Kuhnert, Charlie Eslie, Northup, Kade Korleski, and Ethan Miller. Northup snagged two interceptions, Eimers and Jack Gearman each added one, while Jacob Jongejeugd recorded a sack.

Next, Tea Area will face Brookings this Friday, October 4, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Dawson Eimers scored three times in the Titans’ Homecoming victory over Mitchell last Friday, Sept. 27.