Watertown football ends lengthy state title drought with last-minute stand vs. Pierre
VERMILLION — The third state title in Watertown High School football history came after a 23-year wait and a dogfight against seven-time defending Class 11AA champion Pierre that went down to the wire.
The second-seeded Arrows wrapped up a championship season Friday night with a 14-13 victory over fourth-seeded Pierre, capped by a game-winning stop on a two-point conversion run with 58 seconds left and the recovery of the ensuing onside kick attempt.
Watertown (10-2) dominanted the first half in the DakotaDome but led only 7-0 and had to withstand a series of comebacks by the Governors (7-5) to join the Arrows’ 1996 and 2001 teams as state Class 11AA champions.
“We knew we had the chance to be up 17-0 at halftime and when you’re playng a team like Pierre with the tradition that they have if you’re only up 7-0 you know you’re in for a battle,” Watertown coach John Hodorff said.
This story will be updated with photos, videos and further details.
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com
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