VERMILLION — Top-seeded and top-rated Dell Rapids St. Mary didn't waste any time taking control of the 2025 state Class 9B football championship on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the DakotaDome.

The Cardinals (12-0) recovered a squib kick on the opening kickoff, scored a few plays later and turned a fast start into a 54-6 win over second-seeded and second-seeded Avon (10-2).

St. Mary led 30-0 after one quarter and made sure Avon's comeback hopes didn't get off the ground with a 24-0 scoring surge in the second half.

The state championship was the first ever for the Dell Rapids program.

Taking control from the start

After recovering the opening kickoff, the Cardinals took advantage of a fourth-down pass completion to set up Trimmer Hanson's 5-yard touchdown run with 8:46 remaining. Hanson

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