LOCAL SPORTS WRAP 9-27-21

The excitement of Pioneer Days wasn’t enough of a catalyst for the Yankton Bucks football team Friday night as the Pierre Governors took the 24-10 victory on Yankton’s Homecoming. The Yankton Bucks offense struggled to move the ball in the redzone, only scoring on a 44-yard field goal from the right foot of Trevor Paulsen halfway through the first quarter, and later adding a 4^th quarter 36-yard touchdown pass from Rugby Ryken to Cody Oswald. Bucks head coach Brady Muth commented on his teams performance and mindset Saturday morning on the KYNT Coaches Show with Bryce Ladwig.

The Bucks now fall to 2-3 on the season, 1-2 in AA ESD play, and travel to Mitchell next Friday. It will be live on KYNT and KYNTV.

The Lancers Football program may still be looking for the first victory in its short history, but the team is showing positive signs of improvement, aggressiveness and cohesion, which was displayed during their 36-28 loss at home Saturday vs GPAC opponent Briar Cliff University. The Lancers did reach some other milestones as a program however, as Torren Devericks became the first 300-yard passer, former Yankton Bucks Trevor Fitzgerald became the first 100 yard receiver, and Ka’ua Nishigaya became the first 100 yard rusher. Nishigaya also scored THREE touchdowns in the game, the last coming from a 4-yard pass at the goal line.

Mount Marty, 0-4, now turns its attentions to hosting Northwestern on Saturday. The Raiders entered last weeks play ranked #2 in the nation. The game can be enjoyed live on all KYNT audio platforms as well as KYNTV with Tehl Tanner and Steve Thum, pregame at 12pm, kickoff at 1pm.

The Yankton Bucks and Gazelles soccer squads played host to ESD rival Aberdeen Central Saturday. The Gazelles played one of their best games of the season, but ultimately fell short to the Golden Eagles 1-0. The Bucks fared better, holding onto a 2-0 victory and clinching a share of the ESD Conference Title, the programs first since 2014. Coach Dave Dannenbring shared his thoughts in the postgame, noting the final score is all that matters.

The Gazelles (4-6-2) and the Bucks (10-1-1) now travel to Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls tomorrow for a varsity doubleheader and the last regular season matchup for each team, Gazelles begin play at 4pm, Bucks play the nightcap.

The Hyundai World Archery Championships, the second most prestigious competition in the sport only to the olympics, wrapped up yesterday at the NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center. Braden Gellenthien, Kris Schaff and James Lutz, representing Team USA, took the GOLD after competing in the finals against Mexico Friday afternoon at a Riverside Park. The United States men took the victory by a final 226-211. There is little break for many of the competitors though, as the Hyundai World Cup Finals begins tomorrow at the same location, and runs through Thursday. The World Cup Finals is another top tier competition in the sport.

Lancers Volleyball had a tall task ahead of them as they pulled into Fremont, Nebraska Saturday afternoon, squaring off against the #1 ranked team in the nation, Midland University. The Lancers fought valiantly, but dropped in three straight sets 11-25, 15-25, 23-25. The Lancers now travel to another GPAC opponent Wednesday as they take on Doane University.

Due to low numbers and injuries, the Lancer women’s soccer team forfeited their contest Sunday vs Briar Cliff. The Lancer men however, did play, but fell short 3-1 on the turf at Crane-Youngworth Field. The women (1-7) and men (3-3-1) now play host to Northwestern on Wednesday evening beginning at 4pm.