(Kimball, SD) – Down 22-6 at the half, the Sully Buttes Chargers needed a big response to what felt like a game that could’ve gotten out of hand early in the second half. Sully Buttes charged their way back to pull off a 26-22 win against fifth ranked Kimball/White Lake on Friday night with the game winning touchdown with a little over a minute . Sully Buttes will be home for the first time this season next Friday night.
The first half was a fast half of football. The WiLdKats punched in first with a 17 yard from Carter Konechne. Sully Buttes offense was able to move the ball. However, big plays for most of the game would be stalled. That was the case for the opening drive for the Chargers that saw 12 plays and no points.
Kimball/White Lake would add another score in the second this time a two yard touchdown run from Joseph Skluzak to make it 14-0 after the failed two point try. Sully Buttes finally found the endzone in the second quarter with a 32 yard touchdown pass connection from the Easton Moore to Hudson Barber. The WiLdKats responded with their own touchdown pass from Keaton Christensen to Chevy Fees to make it 22-6 a successful two point try. The half would see Sully Buttes down 22-6.
The Chargers would score on the opening possession of the second half from a two yard Moore quarterback sneak to cut the lead to 22-14. Sully Buttes on the ensuing kickoff pulled off a surprise onside kick and was able to steal a possession away from Kimball/White Lake courtesy of Tucker Gruis. The Chargers would have to punt the football away. Trading sides of the football again, Sully Buttes capitalize on the first touchdown reception from Jett Yackley this season from seven yards out. With the unsuccessful two point try, the Chargers still were trailing 22-20. The WiLdKats would milk the clock at the end of the third going into the fourth.
More than seven minutes from the third quarter to the fourth saw Kimball/White Lake hold the football. Running and milking the clock for as long as they could lead them to a fourth down and inches at the goal line. Sully Buttes needed a stop with a little over four minutes to go in the game. The Chargers loaded the box expecting a run and stopped them short of the endzone. A key play for Sully Buttes to get the final drive going needing to go the entire field.
The first play of the drive was a 36 yard pass from Moore that would be put into the basket of Jett Yackley. It was followed by a 13 Yards pass from Moore to Hudson Barber and a three yard run from Bretton Barber to pick up the first down. Something that was familiar for the Chargers in the game was big plays leading to drives being stalled from the Chargers. A fourth a ten was facing against the Chargers; needing to get to the Kimball/White Lake 29 to keep the drive alive. Hudson Barber on a comeback route made a move to the sideline to haul in the pass from Moore.
After a 11 yard reception from Hudson Barber, the Chargers were 13 yards out from pay dirt. Moore rolled out to his right and would find Yackley at the back of the end zone. The Chargers from down 22-6 at the half, would climb all the way back and took the lead for the first time of the night. The WiLdKats had one more opportunity. A big return set up them up inside Sully Buttes territory, Kimball/White Lake would not convert a fourth down giving the Chargers a big win on the road for the second straight week 26-22.
Sully Buttes would have 329 yards of offense on the night. Moore would go 18-31 passing with 244 yards in the air with three scores (two passing and one rushing). Bretton Barber led the rushing attack with 17 carries for 79 yards. Jett Yackley would led the receivers with nine catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
Sully Buttes (2-0) will play on the home field for the first time this season next Friday when Lyman comes to town. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Country 95.3 will have the call on Country 95.3 F.M. and online at Country 95.3 Sports.
Catch the conversations with Jett Yackley, Easton Moore, and Head Coach Tom Moore after Friday night’s win.
Tom Moore
Easton Moore
Jett Yackley
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