Key to the City
story by peter narrai
The Fall, 2021 University of Sioux Falls Cougars homecoming football game was something special. What made the game so special was the history behind the matchup. The Cougars played the Augustana Vikings, a long-time rival. The Cougars and Vikings have a very close rivalry, some say the closest in all of this region’s college football, with the campus’ being just down the block from each other. This game has so much meaning behind it, that it is referred to as the key to the city game. It is the biggest game of the season and has an impact on the community, schools, and players. It means so much to past players and alum, that the honorary captains of the game are the Sioux Falls fire chief and police chief. The fire chief is an Augustana alumnus and the police chief is a USF alumnus. The Vessel asked several Cougars what the win felt like.
photo courtesy of usf cheer
photo courtesy of usf athletics
photo courtesy of usf cheer
Team captain and star receiver Ty Smith said, “It was an extra special victory over those guys since they got to hold on to the key for an extra year due to COVID. Glad to have it back where it belongs.” Jackson Wright offensive lineman said, “One of the best feelings of my life and the best of my football career. I played terrible in the 2019 game that we lost. So, to play better and beat them this year was an amazing feeling.” Carter Lohr defensive back said, “It felt really good to beat a team that is right down the street from us, makes it a little sweeter. It was also really fun playing in front of a great crowd. I also feel like we owed it to the seniors to get that one done.”
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