PHOENIX SCORE REVENGE WIN OVER PARKSTON IN EARLY 9AA SHOWDOWN
Nine months after visiting Parkston and falling one touchdown short of a win in the Class 9AA state semifinal, Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy returned to the scene of the loss in what they described as “a business trip.”
Business taken care of.
Playing in the opener of a season filled with high expectations from players, coaches and fans alike, the Phoenix tallied a 20-6 win over the Trojans in an early showdown of two ranked teams Friday night, Aug. 22: Parkston was No. 3 in the South Dakota Prep Media Poll released Monday, Aug. 18, while FMFA was No. 5.
The Trojans were the Class 9AA state champions two season ago and the runners-up in 2024.
But the Phoenix put the field of play on notice Friday night as they overcame a slow start and early 6-0 deficit with two touchdowns in the second quarter, and then a game-clinching score late in the fourth, when Luke Peters thwarted a comeback attempt with a pick-six that sealed the deal.
FMFA will continue to be tested in the weeks to come:
Next week it travels to Tyndall to face a good Bon Homme team that won its opener 51-0 over Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota/Christian (which received votes in the preseason poll);
Then on Friday, Sept. 5, the Phoenix host Elkton/Lake Benton, the Class 9AA preseason poll’s No. 1-ranked team that took care of Waubay-Summit 59-8 on Friday.
Win over Parkston
Senior quarterback Riley Tschetter ran for FMFA’s two touchdowns in the second period and finished with 153 yards passing to lead the Phoenix in their win over Parkston Friday night.
Karter Weber caught two passes for 59 yards, Jackson Donlan caught four passes for 47 yards and Tate Sorensen hauled in three catches for 35 yards to lead the receiving core.
Tayden Kerrigan had 205 yards in four kickoffs, and also drilled two extra points.
Defensively, Easton Tschetter had nine unassisted tackles, Riley Tschetter had six and Alaric Knittel had five. David Walter had two interceptions.
As a team, the Phoenix held the Trojans to just 55 yards rushing and 102 yards passing.
