VERMILLION — For the eighth time in nine years, Pierre is South Dakota's state Class 11AA football champion.

The third-seeded and second-ranked Governors (9-3), who had a seven-year reign as champion halted by Watertown in 2024, took advantage of a huge performance by sophomore running back Porter Hunsley to knock off top-seeded and top-rated Yankton 56-35 on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in the DakotaDome.

Hunsley rushed 23 times for 171 yards and scored five touchdowns for Pierre. He scored on runs of 3, 9, 13 and 18 yards and also caught a 19-yard TD pass from Jerren Deal.

Yankon (9-3) was gunning for its first state championship since 2015.

Scoring flurry in first half

Pierre avenged a 35-28 regular-season loss to Yankton with the win. This time, Pierre led 35-28 after only two qua

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