Titans claim first ever State Football Championship Title

The Titan football team capped off a phenomenal fall sports season in Tea Area by claiming the school’s first State Football Championship Title. This fall, the Titans have claimed the State A Title in boys golf and boys soccer — in fact several of the athletes from the Championship soccer team were instrumental in getting the Titan football team a title of their own.

Wyatt VanTol was one of those players. In the State Champion- ship soccer game, VanTol scored two of the Titans four goals as they claimed the Title over Sioux Falls Christian and last Thursday night, Nov. 8, VanTol scored two of the Titans’ touchdowns en route to their 39-7 victory over Dell Rapids in the State Title game. VanTol received the Joe Robbie Most Valuable Player honors, finishing with 70 yards rushing on 15 carries, eight yards receiving, and six tackles.

Carter Slykhuis also received an honor for his outstanding play in the State Title game, winning the Outstanding Back award for Class A. Slykhuis, who has had an outstanding year for the Titans on the field, continued his success breaking away for an 11A Champion- ship record 80-yard touchdown run early in the opening quarter to get the Titans’ offense going. Slykhuis rushed for 121 yards on ten carries and caught four passes for 81 yards in the Championship game. He also threw one 28 yard pass and scored two touchdowns.

The Titans had previously reached the Championship game in 2016 and had been waiting to avenge that loss. Tea Area per- formed strong all season, heading into the title game with a 10-1 record. They didn’t let the big stage distract them from their goal.