SPEARFISH – Aberdeen Central fell behind early and was unable to string drives together in a 21-6 non-conference football setback to Spearfish on Friday night. It marked the first time the Spartans had beaten the Golden Eagles since 2004, although they didn’t play each other for many years.
Central had one solid drive in the contest and than took place in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Trailing 14-0 at the half, the Golden Eagles pieced together a seven-play five-minute drive that covered 79 yards.
“We came out and did some different things in the second half. We made some adjustments,” said Central coach Justin Briese. “We really moved the ball well second half, just couldn’t keep it sustained.”
The drive featured three runs by Joey Dallman that covered 32 yards, a 19-yard pass play to Paxton Ewing, and two runs that went 25 yards by Porter Lozenski, the last of which was a 13-yard touchdown.
However, the Golden Eagles were unable to sustain much offense after that.
“When you’re behind on the scoreboard a little bit, you kind of have to do more than just run the ball to get back in the game,” Briese said. “We just couldn’t keep our drives going.”
A lack of offense has been a issue for Central this season as the Golden Eagles have scored multiple touchdowns in a game just once so far this fall.
“We just can finish the drives,” Briese said. “It’s frustrating do to all the work and not to get to pay dirt with it.”
The Spartans put their own third-quarter drive together to answer Central’s touchdown and regain control. Spearfish was facing a fourth down and four from the Central 33-yard line. The hosts converted the first down with an acrobatic catch near the sideline, and then scored three plays later on a 16-yard touchdown pass on a crossing route.
“We had them backed up. The defense was making some good stands there,” Briese said. “(The Spearfish receiver) stepped up and made a play. Tip our hat to him for making a great play, but we have to be able to get off the field on those third down and fourth down situations. Tonight we weren’t able to. Throughout the year we’ve been able to that successfully and consistently, but just tonight we couldn’t do it.”
As a result, Spearfish won its third straight game to improve to 3-1, while the Golden Eagles lost their fourth straight game to start the season.
“I talked to the guys after the game. Things aren’t going our way and we’re looking at adversity, and we’re looking at 0-4, which is something that we’re not really used to. … How do we handle that adversity?” Briese said. “Do we start giving up on our teammates and start giving up on each other, or do we look within … and support each other and build each other up, and get better each week?”
Central will play host to Sturgis next Friday during homecoming week.
Briese said the Golden Eagles have to learn from the Spearfish loss, and keep trying to improve.
“We talk to our guys about that every week. You can’t do anything about the week before whether it’s a win or a loss,” Briese said. “All we can do is look forward and keep getting better and keep adjusting, keep self-evaluating as players and as coaches.”
Aberdeen Central (0-4) 0 0 6 0 – 6
Spearfish (3-1) 7 7 7 0 – 21
First Quarter
S – Jack Coauette 3 pass from Thomas Hughes (Samuel Marcus kick), 8:55.
Second Quarter
S – Karsen Seyer 4 pass from Hughes (Marcus kick), 11:55.
Third Quarter
AC – Porter Lozenski 21 run (kick failed), 7:01.
S – Kade Vavruka 16 pass from Hughes (Marcus kick), 2:17.
