Titans secure 31-15 victory with record-breaking performance by DeJong

The Tea Area High School football team faced off against Watertown in their final regular season game on Thursday, October 19. The Titans emerged victorious with a final score of 31-15.

The Titans’ stellar performance on the field was highlighted by their impressive yardage gains. Tea Area showcased their ground game by accumulating an astounding 426 yards rushing, while their passing game contributed 30 yards to the mix. The star of the evening was undoubtedly Tea Area’s Keegan DeYoung, who set a single-game rushing record during this memorable encounter. DeYoung’s phenomenal 229-yard rushing performance broke the previous record held by Chase Van Tol, standing at 225 yards, from a game last year at Yankton.

In the opening quarter, the Titans got on the board as Cole McKinney carried the ball for a 4-yard touchdown. The point after kick by Grifin Wiebenga was no good but the Titans were on the board, leading 6-0.

In the second quarter, the Titans found the endzone two times. McKinney ran in his second score of the night, scoring on a 7-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, the point after was unsuccessful again, leaving the score at 12-0.

Watertown managed to get on the board with a 49 yard touchdown run with just over seven minutes left in the opening half. Their point after was good, bringing them within in five, 12-7.

Still in the second, Tea Area’s Brenner Konrad executed a spectacular 24-yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown with under two minutes to go before the half. Wiebenga’s extra point was no good, but the Titans’ extended their lead to 18-7.

In the third quarter, Konrad, once again found the endzone this time on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. Regrettably, the point after kick was unsuccessful, but the Titans’ lead increased to 25-7.

Watertown’s Spencer Wientjes scored on a 94-yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown in the third quarter. The two point conversion made the score 25-15.

In the fourth, however, Tea Area’s DeYoung sealed the game with a four-yard touchdown run with under a minute to play. The point after was blocked but the Titans went on to get the 31-15 victory.

For the Titans, DeYoung rushed for 229 yards on 25 carries. Konrad rushed for 123 yards on 12 carries. Sam Werdel rushed for 25 yards and McKinney rushed for 24 yards.

In the air, Konrad completed four of 11 pass attempts for 30 yards.

Defensively, Jessen Wiebenga recorded an interception and Charlie Leslie had a sack. Tyler Rhead, J. Wiebenga, and Garrett Wiebenga each had four tackles.

The Titans are now set to embark on their playoff journey. They will host Sturgis in the first round of the playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. The Titans enter the playoffs as the #3 seed, while Sturgis holds the #6 seed. The winner of this match-up will advance to face the winner of the #2 Yankton vs. #7 Huron game on Nov. 3. The ultimate prize at stake is the Class 11AA State Title, and the victor will compete for the championship at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.