HAMLIN – Two teams known for offense ended up waging a defensive battle in the Class 9AA semifinal football playoffs Friday night.

Hamlin made 14-point halftime lead stand up en route to a 20-16 victory over Elkton-Lake Benton. The Chargers won a previous encounter three weeks ago 40-35.

Hamlin quarterback Jackson Wadsworth passed for a touchdown and ran for a TD in the opening period before suffering a dislocated shoulder.

“After we lost our quarterback in the first quarter, we showed resilience and our defense played outstanding,” said Hamlin coach Jeff Sheehan.

The Elks inched closer in the third quarter with a touchdown and a safety, however they could get no closer the rest of the way.

“It was one of those games that was a hard-hitting back and forth game,” Sheehan said. “Our kids were on point and played their hearts out.”

Evan Stormo, who replaced Wadsworth at quarterback, caught Hamlin’s TD pass, ran for a touchdown, and also finished with nine tackles on the evening.

Hamlin, 11-0, meets fellow unbeaten Parkston (11-0) in the 9AA championship game at 7 p.m. Thursday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.

Elkton-Lake Benton (9-2) 6 0 10 0 – 16

Hamlin (11-0) 14 6 0 0 – 20

H – Evan Stormo 32 pass from Jackson Wadsworth (Easton Neuendorf kick).

ELB – Tanner Drietz 80 pass from Colt Beck.

H – Wadsworth 10 run (Neuendorf kick).

H – Stormo 5 run.

ELB – Tanner Stein 47 pass from Beck (Beck run).

ELB – Safety.

OFFENSE: Elkton-Lake Benton, rushing 36-126 (Beck 18-77, Blake De Vries 8-31), passing 7-16-2 for 201 (Beck 7-16-2 for 201), receiving (DeVries 3-107, Stein 4-94), first downs 13; Hamlin, rushing 31-100 (Mason Trowbridge 12-40, Stormo 15-29, Wadsworth 2-28), passing 11-18-0 for 137 (Wadsworth 6-9-0 for 114, Stormo 5-9-0 for 23), receiving (Stormo 3-59, Trowbridge 1-41), first downs 13.

DEFENSE: Elkton-Lake Benton, De Vries 10 tackles, Stein 9 tackles; Hamlin, Ted Smith 11 tackles, Stormo 9 tackles, Dawson Noem 7 tackles.