Defense dominates SDFBCA All-Star Game

BROOKINGS — The defenses controlled the action at the South Dakota Football Coaches Association high school football all-star game on Saturday, with the Blue team defeating the Red team 12-0 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

Cordel Rychlik of Aberdeen Central was an easy choice for the MVP of the game, finishing with two interceptions, two pass breakups and six tackles for the winning side, while Brooks Dolen of Waubay-Summit was named defensive player of the game for his scoop-and-score touchdown fumble recovery early in the contest. He also added four tackles.

Brandon Valley fullback Madden Timmer scored the game’s only offensive touchdown, a 13-yard run where he charged up the middle into a pile of bodies, stayed on his feet and then squirted free into the second level for an easy score. Blue team center Ben Paepke of Rapid City Central was named offensive MVP.

The game featured recently graduated seniors from all classes across the state with the squads divided as evenly as possible. It was made possible by financial support from Sanford Health and Dana Dykhouse, among others.

Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.