The Britton-Hecla football season ended sooner than the Braves would have liked, but the 2024 squad left its mark and with just seven seniors graduating off the 39-man roster the future looks bright.
Coach Jacob Skogstad guided his club to a 6-3 season mark, falling to Viborg-Hurley in a hard-fought contest in the first round of the Class 9AA playoffs. The Braves were also the Eastern Coteau Conference champions with a perfect 5-0 record.
“Our offensive line really gelled throughout the season, and I am excited to see that group continue to grow,” said Skogstad. “We are sure going to miss our seniors, their leadership, their production, and most importantly, who they are as young men. I couldn’t be more proud and grateful to be a Britton-Hecla Brave, and we are excited to keep moving forward!”
Several Braves have earned spots in the school’s record book. Available records date back to the 1995 season.
On the offensive side of the ball sophomore quarterback Jace Rein tied the single season record for touchdown passes at 20 with Andy Johnson (1997). He also moved into third place in career touchdown passes (21) behind Terry Tchida (29), and Johnson (36). Junior runningback Bryce Hawkinson now sits sixth all time in rushing yards at 2,190, right behind Kevin Williamson who finished his career at 2,249.
Senior Daniel Person finished his career in second place all-time for receiving yards (806) behind Dallas Goedert (1,036), and second all-time in receiving touchdowns (15), behind Goedert (18). Person’s nine touchdown receptions this year also ranks him second on the season list behind Goedert (10).
The Braves had an explosive run game this season, rushing for 2,324 yards, scoring 24 touchdowns, and as a team averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Hawkinson led the way with 1,093 yards on 126 carries, an 8.7-yards per carry average. Rein added 391 yards on 51 carries, senior Dashel Davidson 52-386, and Person 9-121.
Britton-Hecla was also a threat through the air, passing for 770 yards and 21 touchdowns. Person was the top receiver with 18 grabs for 308 yards (17.1 average). Junior Jaxon Zuehlke added 9-200 and Hawkinson 11-153. The Braves turned the ball over just 10 times in their nine contests this season.
The Braves’ defense also left its mark on the record book. Zuehlke set a single game record of six sacks against Waverly-South Shore and also broke the single season record for sacks with nine. He is currently third all-time in sacks with nine. Sophomore Graham Fosness tied a single season record of five forced fumbles with Collin Beaner (2023) and is tied for third all-time with five.
Davidson ranks sixth on the all-time tackle list with 132.5, Person is fourth all-time in pass interceptions with eight, and junior Peyton Pearson is tied for fourth all-time in forced fumbles with four.
Overall, the B-H defense allowed just 926 yards on the ground and 833 through the air for a 194.1 per game average. Davidson was the top tackler with 38.5 stops, Zuehlke had 32, and Hawkinson 29. Zuehlke also had the most tackles for loss with nine and Fosness had eight, along with four sacks and four recovered fumbles. Person led the defensive secondary with four pass interceptions. Zuehlke, senior Jordyn McGregor, and sophomore Mitchell Burger each scored a defensive touchdown.
Temperature: 39°FTown: Britton, SD
Pressure: 1024 hPa
Wind: 6 mph
