Central's Taylor Houchin has scored 44 of the Cobblers 62 points this season. Against Sturgis Friday night he scored Central's first 24 points of the game. (Photo Kevin Cox/IDS)

Rapid City’s ‘AA’ football teams have a plus-.500 record… at the same time.

This has only happened once—in 2009—over the last six seasons. Give the Stevens Raiders and the Central Cobblers some credit. They are playing hard, and both have won the games against teams they should beat. This hasn’t always been the case over the last several years.

Granted, the victories were over Sturgis and Spearfish, but the Rapid City teams did a lot of positive things on the football field Friday night. Both also know they will need to be a lot better if they have any chance of competing with the powerhouses from the east of the Missouri.

For now, they’re hoping they can build on the confidence gained over the last two weeks.

Central 42, Sturgis 7

It is difficult to assess the potential of any team when they play against Sturgis, but this much is clear—Central is a much better team than last season. And there is something to be said about finding ways to improve. What I commend the most about the Cobblers performance Friday night is that they were trying different schemes, and seeking ways to be more dynamic offensively.

At times, Central went to the spread offense with an empty backfield Friday night. They ran a lot of motion, and overall the play calling was more creative (it helps when you can take risks without mistakes being too costly). When Central needed to, they ran it straight down the Scoopers throat. Most importantly, they tried to throw the football and find some balance in the offense. New QB Mike Norberg looked more comfortable in the pocket and his line gave him time to find the open man. The question for the Cobblers offensive line is can they protect him and open running lanes against the stronger, bigger, and more ferocious East River teams. The Cobblers took a couple of risks that resulted in turnovers, but most of the mistakes were a matter of putting the ball on the ground and not aggressive play calling.

The Cobblers have to have an effective passing game if they have any hope of competing with anyone outside of the west.

(Photos Kevin Cox/IDS)

I want Houchin on my fantasy football team

If high school had fantasy football, I would make a move for Taylor Houchin on the waiver wire. On Friday night, he scored Central’s first 24 points. He rushed for three touchdowns and had six points as the team’s kicker. This season, he has scored 44 of the Cobblers points 62 points, including six touchdowns. Houchin also plays a vital role in the battle for field position as most of his kickoffs end up as touchbacks. It is always an advantage—especially in high school football where the kicking game can be weak—to force an opponent to drive 80 yards for a score. The Cobblers D’ was solid for the second straight week and did not allow a first down for the entire first half.

Courtesy of the special teams and D’, the Cobblers played on a short field all night against Sturgis. If they can find a way to win the battle for field position consistently there are four or five victories on this year’s schedule.

Next up: Central will face the high-powered passing attack of Sioux Falls Lincoln Friday night at 7 p.m. at Dunham Field.

Lincoln (2-1) entered Week 3 as the No. 1-ranked ‘AA’ team in the state, but were knocked off by Roosevelt 45-29 Friday night.

Stevens 14, Spearfish 12

The game between Stevens and Spearfish was scoreless through three quarters before Raider QB Brock Atkinson ran for one score and threw for another in the fourth. (Photo Kevin Cox/IDS)

Stevens Raiders head coach Paul Ferdinand was cautiously optimistic after his team narrowly escaped with a 14-12 win against Spearfish Friday night. Rightfully so, the Raiders will need to be a lot better then they were against the Spartans and time isn’t on their side. They play at Sioux Falls O’Gorman (1-1) this coming week.

“It’s a win, and we’ll take it, but we didn’t play the best game,” said Ferdinand. “We have to get mentally stronger, be more focused and come ready to play. We have to do a better job of moving our feet offensively and controlling the line of scrimmage. Tonight, we kind of got whipped on the offensive line.”

The good news is that Stevens found a way to win after three quarters of holding penalties and turnovers which cost them several scoring opportunities. In the first half alone, the Raiders incurred 82 yards in penalties and committed two turnovers.

Fortunately for Rapid City, the D’ was solid for the second consecutive week. Over the last two games, the Stevens defense has allowed only 160 total yards.

“The penalties and the turnovers were killing us,” said Ferdinand. “We didn’t have those penalties in the fourth quarter and look what we were able to do. If we can move the ball with the run, it will open up the passing game, and vice-versa. Bottom line, (against O’Gorman) the guys know they have to play way better then they did tonight.”

Trailing 6-0, midway through the fourth, an excellent play call by the Raiders coaching staff led to the Raiders first points. At midfield, and with the Spartans expecting run, tailback Carter Wevik took a handoff, pulled back, and lofted a pass to a wide-open Eli Schnell for 42 yards down to the Spartan 3-yard line. One play later, Brock Atkinson punched in a QB sweep.

“We knew that they were going to stack the box on us since we ran it 53 times against Sturgis,” said Atkinson. “We didn’t come out ready to play, and weren’t getting off the ball. But the offense finally found a rhythm because we started trusting each other. I think coming back after that start shows what we are made of.”

(Photos Kevin Cox/IDS)

Spearfish scored on six plays to take back the lead with only 3:35 remaining. Behind a big run and a long reception by Riley Shewak, the Spartans marched 73 yards to go back in front 12-7.

But the running game for the Raiders pounded the ball against the tired Spartan D’ on the next series. Atkinson eventually tossed the game-winning touchdown to Josh Swanson in the back of the end zone with 45 seconds left.

Spearfish has lost all three of its games this season by a combined 15 points, and each defeat has come at the hands of a Rapid City team.

The last time both the Raiders and the Cobblers had winning records at the same time, in 2009, Stevens finished the season at 5-6 and Central went 4-6.

The two Rapid City teams will meet each other in the final week of the regular season, and both have a game against Douglas.

Now, let’s see if either Stevens or Central can steal a victory outside of the west.

Other SD High School Football Scores:

Huron 17, Pierre 12

Yankton 48, Watertown 18

Brookings 42, Brandon Valley 28

Mitchell 32, Aberdeen 13

Belle Fourche 31, Hot Springs 24

Bennett County 44, Red Cloud 0

Custer 39, Lead-Deadwood 0

Dell Rapids 35, West Central 18

Eureka/Bowdle 34, Gettysburg 26, 3OT

Faith 56, Rapid City Christian 14

Harding County 64, Bison 14

Harrisburg 63, Lennox 13

Little Wound 38, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 14

Lusk, Wyo. 36, Hill City 12

Lyman 42, Kadoka Area 6

Marty Indian 34, Lower Brule 20

Todd County 48, Pine Ridge 12

Wall 30, New Underwood 0

White River 51, Philip 0

Winner 42, Bon Homme 0