A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring the Watertown Arrows as the 2024 Class 11AA football state champions.

WHEREAS, the Watertown Arrows qualified for the state tournament as the second seed and advanced to the state championship game following a 20-7 win over the third seed Brookings Bobcats in a semifinal game; and

WHEREAS, the Arrows defeated the Pierre Governors, who entered the game as seven-time consecutive state champions, in the championship game with a score of 14-13 and captured their first state championship win since 2001; and

WHEREAS, the Arrows' impressive season ended with a 10-2 record, the first ten-win season for the Arrows since 2007; and

WHEREAS, the Arrows assistant coach Kelly O'Connor was awarded the Assistant Coach of the Year for Class 11AA by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association for his commitment to excellence and dedication;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the One Hundredth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the Watertown Arrows are the 2024 Class 11AA football state champions.