PIERRE, SD – The #1 ranked team in 11AA football, the Pierre Governors, lived up to their top billing with a 42-6 drubbing of the Sturgis Scoopers on Saturday at Hollister Field.

The Govs found the end zone twice in the first quarter, with a 49-yard touchdown run by Porter Hunsley and a 67-yard TD catch by Will Danburg from Jeren Deal to give Pierre a 14-0 lead headed into the second.

Deal found Thomas Snyder with a 21-yard strike with 7:14 left before halftime to give the Govs a 21-0 lead. Sturgis engineered a drive and moved the ball downfield on their next possession, capitalizing with a 25-yard scoring run by Zhoel Irion. The extra point was blocked and Pierre led 21-6 with 3:29 left before intermission.

The Govs started their next drive at their own 20, then moved the ball to the 38-yard line. Deal hit wideout Carter Schiefelbein for a 17-yard gain and the Govs had good field position at the Scooper 45. Deal called his own number on the next play, scampering into the end zone from 45 yards out for another Pierre touchdown. The Govs led 28-6 at the half.

It was all Pierre in the second half, with a 5-yard rushing score from Hunsley and a 32-yard touchdown pass from Deal to Schiefelbein, both in the third quarter, to wrap up the scoring. The 42-6 lead by Pierre meant a running clock for the remainder of the contest. Governor kicker Carter Templeton was a perfect 6-of-6 on extra points.

Pierre (1-0) racked up 462 yards of total offense and were led by junior quarterback Jeren Deal, who ran for 101 yards and one score and threw for 237 yards and three TDs. The Govs had one turnover, an interception, and three penalties for 30 yards. Hunsley had five carries for 69 yards and two scores.

Sturgis (0-1) had 270 yards of offense, 130 on the ground and 140 yards passing. Senior quarterback Austin Flohr was 8-of-17 passing for 126 yards. Tight end Gage West had a great game for the Scoopers, with 100 yards receiving on six catches. Irion finished with 19 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Sturgis hosts 11AAA Rapid City Central (0-1) on Friday night at Woodle Field.