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The Avon Pirates are the 2023 Class 9B State Champions with their big win over Faulkton Area Thursday, November 9th at the DakotaDome in Vermillion 32-30. The Pirates started off slow in the first quarter, allowing Faulkton Area to get on the scoreboard first 8-0. The second quarter found Paxton Bierema in the end zone with a 14 yard run and a 2-point conversion by Aziah Meyer to tie up the game 8-8. Meyer wasn't done yet as he had a 91-yard run for the touchdown and a 2-point conversion by Tyler Tjeerdsma. Faulkton Area fought back with a 73-yard run and 2-point conversion to find the teams tied as they went into half time. Third quarter had Landon Mudder with the 14-yard run for a touchdown with a 2-point conversion by Trace Pelton to take the Pirates ahead 24-16, however they allowed a 38-yard pass for a touchdown from Faulkton but held them from completing the 2-point conversion to end the quarter 24-22. Paxton Bierema started off the fourth quarter with a 3-yard run for the touchdown and Tyler Tjeerdsma had the 2-point conversion to bring the Pirates up 32-22. Faulkton Area didn't give up as they had 66 yard pass for a touchdown to bring the score to 32-30 and the Pirates defense held them from completing the run attempt for the 2-point conversion to take the win 32-30. Leading the offense on rushing was Aziah Meyer with 24 attempts for 180 yards and 1 touchdown. Landon Mudder had 9 attempts for 67 yards and 1 touchdown. Tyler Tjeerdsma had 8 attempts for 22 yards, Paxton Bierema had 7 attempts for 20 yards and 2 touchdown, and Noah Watchorn had 1 attempt for 2 yards. Leading the offense for receiving was Landon Thury with a reception for 24 yards. On the defense, Meyer had 5 tackles and 8 assists; Al'Shamon Gunter had 4 tackles, 9 assists and 1 sack; Paxton Bierema had 3 tackles, 3 assists and 1 interception; Landon Mudder had 3 tackles; Landon Thury had 2 tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack and 1 interception; Noah Watchorn had 1 tackle; Trace Pelton had 1 tackle and 3 assists; Tyler Tjeerdsma had 1 assist; Terran Talsma had 12 assists and Randall Powers had 2 assists.