STURGIS, SD – The #4 Yankton Bucks came into Woodle Field and beat the Sturgis Scoopers 41-9 on Friday night.

It was Military Appreciation Night and Youth Football Night at Woodle Field, commemorating the Sept. 11 attacks on New York City and our Nation’s Capital.

The first half was competitive, as the Scoopers took a 3-0 lead on a 51-yard field goal by Izaac Smith with 1:58 left in the first quarter. The Sturgis lead was short-lived as all-purpose back Tegan LaCroix took a direct snap and weaved his way through the Sturgis defense for a 33-yard touchdown run with 9:34 left before the half. The kick was good and Yankton took a 7-3 lead.

Just two minutes later, Buck quarterback Jackson Kudera found Miles Drotzmann on a post pattern down the middle for a 52-yard touchdown strike, beating the Scooper defense to the end zone. The kick split the uprights and Yankton took a quick 14-3 lead.

The Buck defense forced a three-and-out by the Sturgis offense and started their next drive at their own 30-yard line. Yankton put together a six minute drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by LaCroix to give the Bucks a 21-3 lead at the half.

The Scoopers brought in sophomore quarterback Tate Johnson in the second half which rejuvenated the Sturgis offense. Johnson used his legs and his strong right arm to move the ball from the Scooper 18-yard line into the red zone but Sturgis couldn’t get the ball into the end zone. Smith attempted a 31-yard field goal but missed to the left and the Scooper offense came up empty on the drive.

Yankton kept their foot on the gas pedal with another touchdown pass from Kudera to Drotzmann with :37 seconds left in the third, giving the Bucks a 28-3 advantage. Yankton added scores from Emmett Hirschman and Jax Gause in the fourth quarter to take a 41-3 lead. The Scoopers added a late score on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Gage West with 5:15 left in the game. The extra point kick was no good and the final score was Yankton 41, Sturgis 9.

The Bucks (2-1) rolled up 344 yards of total offense, 266 through the air and 78 on the ground. LaCroix finished with two rushing scores of 33-yards and 1-yard and Drotzmann caught two touchdowns of 52 and 12-yards. Yankton had no turnovers and five penalties for 35 yards.

Sturgis (1-2) finished with 241 total yards of offense. The Scoopers had 31 carries for 112 yards and were led by Tate Johnson, who rushed for 57 yards on 11 carries. Sturgis was 13-of-23 passing for 129 yards. Wyatt Marler caught four passes for 46 yards and West snagged three passes for 17 yards and one touchdown. Shea Deering had two receptions for 40 yards. The Scoopers had three turnovers, two fumbles and an interception and four penalties for 40 yards.

The Scoopers hit the road next Friday, traveling to Titan Stadium to take on Tea Area. Kickoff is scheduled for 5pm Mountain time.