The Sully Buttes Chargers and Potter County Battlers both had trouble getting their games in gear, and in the end it was fourth seeded Sully Buttes who had enough to pull out a 14-12 victory over the 13th seeded Battlers Thursday night in Onida.
Both teams exchanged field positions in a fast paced first quarter three times. And by halftime, both teams were able to muster enough offense to get on the scoreboard. The Battlers scored first on a Landon Larson 14 yard run to go up 6-0 after a failed extra point kick. Then the Chargers got the ball on their 35 and ten plays later a Thomas Farries three yard run tied it up at six apiece. With only 1:26 to play in the half, Potter County had two big pass plays covering 67 total yards to go up 12-6 at the break.
In the second half and late in the third quarter, the Chargers got the ball at their three yard line and drove 97 yards, capped by a Landon Hepker 25 yard run, and added a two point conversion to take their first lead of the night.
It held up, thanks to a Charger defense who fought to contain the Battlers, and to keep the field position advantage. Both teams fumbled in the final four minutes, and Sully Buttes took a knee on the Potter County five yard line to run out the clock, and advance to the Class 9B quarterfinals next Thursday.
Sully Buttes ups its mark to 7-2, while the Battlers season ends at 3-6. The Chargers will now host the twelth seeded Irene-Wakonda Eagles Thursday, after they downed fifth seeded Corsica Stickney 61-52.
