Elk Point-Jefferson

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Seahawks

Last Week

It was all McCook Central/Montrose from the start as the Seahawks fell to the Fighting Cougars for the first time ever, 44-0. BEE was 9-0 against MCM until last week.

Jackson Remmers rushed for 5 first half TDs (from 1, 11, 1, 23 & 5 yards) to give MCM a 36-0 lead at the half. The shorthanded Seahawks, already without 3 starters on offense/defense, struggled to slow down MCM's physical rushing attack. Remmers finished the game with 22 carries for 93 yards. The Fighting Cougar's sophomore QB Boston Katzer completed 10-of-20 passes for 171 yards and a TD. BEE was able to intercept him twice.

Sutton Arend was the leading rusher for BEE, mustering only 30 yards on 14 carries. Taite Klumb rushed 3 times for 13 yards. Macklen Weber completed 3-of-10 passes for 27 yards and 3 interceptions.

Defensively, Aaron Horvath led with 10 tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. Jaden Eddy and Aguer VanSickle added 6 tackles each.

MCM outgained BEE in total yardage 256-106. BEE had 64 rushing yards and 42 passing, while MCM had 85 rushing yards and 171 passing. The Fighting Cougars improve to 6-1 on the season and host Parker tonight in the regular season finale. The Seahawks fall to 5-2.

This Season

Through seven games, BEE has outscored it's opponents 148-127, or an average of 21.1-18.1 points per game. The Seahawks have 1,550 yards of total offense (221.4 per game), 1,165 rushing (166.4 per game) & 385 passing (55 per game). The defense has allowed 1,290 yards of total offense (184.3 per game), 877 rushing (125.3 per game) & 413 passing (59 per game).

Riley Endres, despite having missed the last two games due to a season ending injury, continues to lead BEE in rushing with 488 yards and 7 TDs. Macklen Weber has 53 carries for 272 yards and 4 TDs and has completed 12-of-32 passes for 146 yards and 2 TDs with 6 interceptions. Sutton Arend has 201 rushing yards and a TD and 10 receptions for 240 yards and a score.

Defensively, Aaron Horvath leads the way with 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. Aguer VanSickle is next with 45 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Drake Gustafson is third with 39 tackles and 3 interceptions. Kean Stevenson has 38 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and an interception. Rounding out the top 5 is Sutton Arend with 36 tackles and 2 interceptions.

Last Week

The Huskies racked up 27 first quarter points on their way to a 48-7 win over Tri-Valley. EPJ led 41-0 at the half and 48-0 after three quarters.

Five different players had a hand in the scoring for the Huskies. Benjamin Swatek rushed for 76 yards and a TD on ten carries. Lucas Hueser carried the ball 7 times for 63 yards and 2 TDs, and Devon Schmitz carried the ball just 3 times for 30 yards and 2 TDs. Noah McDermott completed 7-of-14 passes for 76 yards and a TD to Garrett Merkley.

EPJ had 303 yards of total offense in the win (219 rushing, 84 passing). Tri-Valley was held to 117 yards of offense (116 rushing, 1 passing).

This Season

EPJ comes into the regular season finale with a perfect 7-0 record, with the closest game being a 35-0 win over McCook Central/Montrose in mid September. The Huskies have beaten Parker (50-0), Baltic (55-0), Sioux Valley (50-0), Flandreau (61-7), Miller/Highmore-Harrold (55-0) and last week's win over Tri-Valley. Five of their seven games have ended early due to the mercy rule. EPJ has outscored it's opponents 354-14 and is averaging 50.6 points per game while allowing just 2 points per game, both the best in 11B.

The Huskies have a balanced rushing attack this season, with four players having 20 carries or more. Ben Swatek leads the way with 56 carries for 618 yards and 9 TDs. Lucas Hueser has carried the ball 59 times for 483 yards and 12 TDs. Devon Schmitz has 188 yards on 22 carries and 2 TDs and Noah McDermott has rushed for 84 yards on 21 carries and 2 TDs.

McDermott has completed 44-of-67 passes for 735 yards and 14 TDs with 2 interceptions. Schmitz is his favorite target with 17 receptions for 317 yards and 6 TDs.

The Huskies have 2,386 total yards of offense or 341 yards per game (224 rushing YPG, 117 passing YPG). Defensively they have give up 1,624 total yards or 232 yards per game (64 rushing YPG, 168 passing YPG).

Last Match-Up

The Seahawks couldn't overcome a 21-0 first quarter deficit and fell to Elk Point-Jefferson 38-21, in the second to last regular season game of the 2021 season.

The Huskies received the game's opening kickoff and marched 65 yards in 6 plays to put the first points on the board. After a quick 3-and-out by the Seahawk offense, EPJ went 71 yards in 4 plays to make the score 14-0. After another 3-and-out, EPJ drove 52 yards in 6 plays to lengthen the lead to 21-0. The ensuing drive BEE was finally able to put a drive together, going 65 yards in 8 plays and scoring on a 59 yard TD pass from Kaden Klumb to Sam Hofer to make the score 21-7 early in the second quarter. The Huskies answered right back with a big play of their own with a long pass that took them down inside the BEE 5-yard line. EPJ scored on the next play and led 28-7 at that point. BEE drove inside EPJ's 40 on the following drive, only to fumble the ball away. The Seahawk defense held EPJ to a 3-and-out and BEE's offense set up looking to cut the lead with just a few minutes before half. Klumb took charge, leading the Seahawks down the field and connecting with Jay Storm on a 24 yard TD pass to make the score 28-14 at the half.

The Seahawks received the opening kickoff of the second half and after getting a first down, the offense stalled at midfield after being unable to convert on a 4th and short. The Huskies then went 52 yards in 8 plays and scored on a 1 yard TD run to make the score 35-14. The Seahawks responded with a long drive, encompassing 93 yards over 15 plays and scoring on a 5 yard TD run by Klumb early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 35-21. On the second play of EPJ's next drive, Sutton Arend intercepted a Huskies pass and the Seahawks were starting to gain momentum. However, Klumb was sacked twice on the following possession and the Seahawks had to punt the ball away. EPJ tacked on a late field goal to make the final score of 38-21.

Klumb led the Seahawks, completing 11-of-16 passes for 160 yards and 2 TDs. Sam Hofer caught 4 passes for 83 yards and a TD. Koby Kayser rushed for 60 yards on 16 carries. Riley Endres caught 3 passes for 24 yards and also rushed for 43 yards.

Defensively, Klumb led with 10 tackles. Sutton Arend added 6 tackles and an interception. Sam Hofer, Aguer VanSickle, Jay Storm and Clay Hohn all added 4 tackles each.

BEE had 266 total yards of offense (106 rushing, 160 passing). EPJ had a total of 377 yards of offense (360 rushing, 127 passing.

Today in Seahawk History

2011 - The Seahawks improved to 6-1 on the year with a 58-20 win over Chester in Bridgewater. BEE led 36-12 at the half and outgained Chester 425-309. Kendall Lindeman rushed 19 times for 227 yards and 3 TDs and Anthony Huber added 112 rushing yards and 2 TDs. Jace Connor completed 6-of-6 passes for 52 yards and 3 TDs, two of them to Kyle Pollreisz. Seth Wethor led the Seahawks defensively with 19 tackles and 2 sacks.

Projected Playoff Pairings

Here are the projected playoff pairings with simulated results of tonight's games:

Top Bracket

#1 Winner vs #16 Lead-Deadwood

#8 Deuel vs #9 St. Thomas More

#4 Mt. Vernon/Plankinton vs #13 Tri-Valley

#5 McCook Central/Montrose vs #12 Redfield

Bottom Bracket

#2 Aberdeen Roncalli vs #15 Mobridge-Pollock

#7 Hot Springs vs #10 BEE

#3 Elk Point-Jefferson vs #14 Rapid City Christian

#6 Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central vs #11 Sioux Valley

Game Bits

BEE is 6-1 all time against Elk Point-Jefferson, with the Seahawks outscoring the Huskies 263-70, or an average of 38-10 points per game.
After last week's loss to McCook Central/Montrose, the Seahawks fell out of the top 5 for the first time since Week 8 of 2021 in the latest SD Prep Media Poll. Winner continues to be ranked #1, receiving all 20 first place votes. Elk Point-Jefferson continues to be ranked #2. Mt. Vernon/Plankinton moves from 4th to 3rd. Aberdeen Roncalli moves from 5th to 4th, and MCM went from receiving votes to 5th. BEE and Hot Springs were receiving votes.
In the final SDFBCA poll, Winner received 25 of 28 first place votes. EPJ received 2 first places votes and is #2. Aberdeen Roncalli is #3, receiving the other first place vote. Mt. Vernon/Plankinton is #4, followed by MCM at #5. BEE, Sioux Valley and Hot Springs were all receiving votes.
BEE has now been shut out two games in a row for the first time in program history. The last time the Seahawks were shutout two games in a row was as Emery/Ethan back in 2006 when they lost to Bridgewater/Canistota and Hanson in the final two games of the season.
The Bridgewater-Emery Boosters will be providing the tailgate meal before tonight's game. Subway sandwich meals will start at $8.00 and serving will start at 6:00 pm.
Tonight is senior night. Parents of seniors, please be ready to line up to go on the field at 6:45 pm.
Tonight's game will be broadcast on Bridgewater-Emery's YouTube Channel. A link for livestreaming can be found on our home page.
The forecast at kickoff tonight in Bridgewater calls for clear skies with a temperature of 46 degrees and winds out of the northwest around 10, gusting up to 20 mph.
The Junior High team wrapped up their season this week with a 38-16 win over McCook Central/Montrose on Tuesday. The JH team ends its season with a record of 6-1-1.