BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — Brookings defeated Tea Area 23-13 in the Class ’11AA’ quarterfinals. The Bobcats scored the first nine points. The Titans responded with the next 13 before Brookings scored the final 14. Bookings advances to play Watertown next week in the semifinals.
PREVIEW
BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — The KELOLAND Sports Game of the Week returns to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium this week as Brookings is set to host Tea Area in the 11AA quarterfinals.
You can watch the game on KELOXTRA or in the player at the top of the story. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 31.
The winner of Thursday’s quarterfinal will advance to the semifinals.
A BATTLE ON THE GROUND
Tea Area owns one of the top rushing offenses in the state. The Titans rush for 245 yards and nearly three touchdowns per game. They also average more than ten first downs per game on the ground.
That attack has been led by several players. The Titans have seven players who have rushed for more than 100 yards on the season, though Brenner Konrad has been injured and won’t be playing the rest of the season.
Cole McKinney had 545 yards rushing and five scores, while Sam Werdel has 400 yards and five scores. Carter Brown, Mitch Grant, Tyler Rhead and Dawson Eimers have each rushed for more than 100 yards this year as well.
While Tea Area presents a tough ground threat, the Bobcats pose a strong ability to stop the run.
Brookings allows just 111 yards rushing per game. Bergan Tetzlaff has led the charge for that defense with 128 total tackles and seven tackles for loss. Gabriel Stern has 103 tackles.
The Bobcats can also force turnovers on defense. The unit has 16 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries. That’s a total of 25 forced turnovers, which is nearly three per game.
Brookings also has five defensive touchdowns.
SCORING POINTS
Tea Area lost to Brookings once already this year. The Bobcats tallied a 29-22 win back on October 4.
The Titans were able to score 22 points, despite facing a tough defense. That day, Tea Area was able to force four turnovers.
Brookings posted 29 points in that win, which is actually four points higher than their game average. The Bobcats have just 27 touchdowns this season, averaging three per game.
That number isn’t super high, but when paired with their defense which is allowing just 11 points per game, it has worked out.
That 11 points per game number is the best scoring defense in 11AA.
FORCING TURNOVERS
A key for Tea Area has been forcing turnovers. The Titans have forced four turnovers in three different games this season.
They’re 2-1 in the games they’ve forced the takeaways, including wins over Mitchell and Washington, plus a close loss to Brookings.
The Bobcats have committed 16 turnover all season, a fourth of those came against Tea Area.
THE GAME
Brookings and Tea Area will cross paths in the 11AA quarterfinals on Thursday night. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. on KELOXTRA and KELOLAND.com.
Play-by-play will be provided by Ian Sacks and Jordan DeSmet.
