Four new teams absolutely stormed into the South Dakota high school football rankings, yet the biggest gut punch on Friday, September 11, 2026, was No. 2 Tea Area barely slipping past No. 3 Watertown with a 28-21 victory at the Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex in Watertown. That tight 7-point difference tells you everything about how close this game was, a real grinder between two top squads.
Top-Tier Battle Delivers Knockout Punches
When you have No. 2 going up against No. 3, you know it’s going to be a fight, and this game delivered every single punch. Tea Area’s Ben Bruns was relentless, making a crucial play by pushing Watertown quarterback Kaeden Himmerich right to the sideline. Bruns wasn’t alone in bringing the heat, with Thiik Lual also in the mix for Tea Area. Watertown tried to answer on the ground with running back Lincoln Schutt, but Tea Area’s Darryn Rhodes was right there to meet him, with Grifin Wiebinga pursuing hard on the play. This Tea Area defense was clearly swarming. On the other side of the ball, Tea Area’s Mitch Grant found some open field, breaking free as Watertown defenders Maxx Sears, Charles Whiting, and Hunter Peterson gave chase. Grant was a problem all night, also trying to turn the corner against Watertown’s Gage Robison and Tyson Miller. It was a back-and-forth slugfest, ultimately decided by that single touchdown difference, leaving Watertown fans wondering what could have been.
A Game Beyond the Gridiron
Before the football even started, the atmosphere at the Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex was something truly special. This wasn’t just another Friday night game; it was a powerful 25-year anniversary program for the 9-11 attacks. Local first responders were at the heart of the ceremony, with members of the Watertown Police Department, Watertown Fire Rescue, Codington County Search and Rescue, and 911 Dispatchers all recognized for their service. Watertown High School football players, including Caden Corey, Gavin Robison, Kasen Jensen, Quentin Marshall, and their teammates, took the time to shake hands with these heroes. You saw a Watertown High School football cheerleader proudly display a special 9-11 shirt made for the game. To drive home the significance, a special video on the September 11, 2011 terrorist attacks was shown. First responders even greeted Hunter Peterson and the rest of the Arrow football team right as they left the locker room, blending community honor with the excitement of sport.
With four new teams now shaking up the South Dakota high school football rankings, and top-tier matchups like this one coming down to the wire, you know the rest of the season is going to be must-watch football. You gotta tune in, because things are getting intense out there.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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