PARKSTON – Hamlin struck first, but it was all undefeated Parkston after that as the Trojans claimed a 26-3 victory during the semifinals of the Class 9AA football playoffs Friday night.

Easton Neuendorf nailed a 28-yard field goal in the opening quarter to put Hamlin it front. It was the first points that Parkston had given up since Sept. 8. The squad has now allowed just 23 points in 11 games.

The hosts took over after that scoring at least one touchdown in each of the final three quarters.

Luke Bormann, who rushed for 235 yards, produced three of the touchdown runs. Brayden Jervik, who finished with 132 yards on the ground, accounted for the other Parkston TD. The Trojans ran for nearly 400 yards as a team.

Parkston will meet Howard in the 9AA state championship game at 7 p.m. Thursday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.

Tyson Stevenson passed for 189 yards to pace the Chargers. Zac VanMeeteren had seven receptions for 83 yards.

A trio of players combined for 37 tackles to power the Hamlin defense. Dawson Noem had 14 tackles, Evan Stormo followed with 13, and Jackson Wadsworth contributed 10.

The Chargers finished their season with a 9-2 record.

Hamlin (9-2) 3 0 0 0 – 3

Parkston (11-0) 0 12 6 8 – 26

H – Easton Neuendorf 28 field goal.

Luke Borman ran for three touchdowns for Parkston, and Brayden Jervik ran for one.

OFFENSE: Hamlin, rushing 19-34 (Jackson Wadsworth 4-17, Evan Stormo 5-10), passing 17-36-189 (Tyson Stevenson 16-35-0 for 168, Turner Stevenson 1-1-0 for 11), receiving (Zac VanMeeteren 7-83, Mason Trowbridge 3-48, Turner Stevenson 2-19, Aiden Abraham 2-17, Stormo 3-12); Parkston, rushing 46-398 (Luke Bormann 16-235, Brayden Jervik 18-132, Kolten Kramer 7-41), passing 1-4-0 for minus 4.

DEFENSE: Hamlin, Dawson Noem 14 tackles, Stormo 13 tackles, Wadsworth 10 tackles; Parkston, Will Jodazi 8 tackles, Maddux Brissette 8 tackles, Brody Boettcher 6 tackles, Kaden Holzbauer 6 tackles.