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Yankton Bucks 22, Pierre Governors 6
Friday, August 31st
Phil Trautner Stadium at Hollister Field -- Pierre, SD

Game Recap
Yankton gets better of Governors
BY TYLER MERRIAM

After a fourth quarter catch, his final one of the night, Pat Anderson checks whether or not he picked up a first down. Anderson had career highs against Yankton of receptions (6) and receiving yards (101). GovsFootball ONline Photo by Sean Corcoran

Even after what head coach Chad Gusso called the most intense week of practices he's ever had at Riggs High, the Pierre Governors fell to the Yankton Bucks 22-6 Friday Night at Phil Trautner Stadium at Hollister Field.

Pierre definitely didn't go easily, in fact if the offensive line plays that well every game, Pierre will come out on top almost every time. Yankton is an excetpion, and they proved that Friday.

Gusso wanted to run the ball against a Yankton defense who's rushing defense total prior to the night was minus 16. Pierre ran 42 times for 187 yards, a 4.5-yard average, exactly what they wanted to do.

Tyler Prue tied a career high for carries with 16, a total he orginally set in Yankton a year ago. Prue set a new career high with 134 rushing yards, including a 45-yard high. He also had two catches for 30 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown catch off a screen pass for Pierre's only points.

Andy Hanson had a few drops of passes, but still was only 10-of-32, for 159 yards. He did not throw an interception, compared to one touchdown.

Pierre's offense has produced for the most part, but defense and special teams are the main problems. Pierre has had good kick returns, but they struggle to find constant kickoffs, Craig Schochenmaier is just starting to get on track punting, and the punt returns have been anything but good. With the exception of Prue's kickoff returns, there has been little for Gusso to be pleased with. Throw in the fact that Mike Thunker scored on a 65-yard punt return, and it gets even worse.

Defensively, Pierre has shown signs of life, but the biggest problem there is injuries. In Aberdeen a week ago, Pierre was without three of four starting linebackers, with Travis Scharnweber out with a knee, Dan Swenson with an arm, and Austin Schneider only played offense most of the way due to being shaken up early on in the game.

The position the Governors thought they were deepest at has seen every player who has seen considerable time there except Zach Frisby be hurt in the last couple months, when you add in Pat Adams' arm injury.

Pierre got their first sack of the year, with Lucas Scheibe throwing Pat McVay for a ten-yard loss on the first play of the game. Besides that, there was little good on defense against the Bucks.

Pierre now looks forward to the Brookings Bobcats, who come in to town next Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. You can watch the game at Phil Trautner Stadium at Hollister Field, listen on AM-1240 KCCR of FM-92.7 The Fox, KGFX-FM, or do both, and enjoy Governor football.

Game Box Score