CLASS 9B OVERALL REVIEW
Class 9B will play benefit this season to the removal of their state champion, and at this point, it is literally anyone’s for the taking. DRSM will continue to be a top-level threat and the favorites for the title, but be on the lookout for Harding County/Bison, who picked up a big win last night.
After those 2, the top level play doesn’t necessarily drop off, but the teams below will need to prove themselves this season. Faulkton Area is returning 6 starters from both sides of the ball, and has something to play for after losing in the 1st round last season. Also be on the lookout for Alcester-Hudson, Corsica-Stickney, and an unranked Hitchcock-Tulare to make some noise.
DakotaDome Favorites: DRSM, Harding County/Bison, Faulkton Area
Note #1: The Strength of Schedule is created using a computer-generated formula that takes into account preseason rankings and last season performance. We understand that if you look at each team individually, you make think that a team with a low S.O.S. still plays some good teams. This is factually correct, however, because of the limited number of 9-man teams, everyone in the state plays good teams.
Note #2: We are excited to share this preview with you and any information was either pulled from Maxpreps.com, sd.varsitybound.com or interviews. While we cannot guarantee that you or your son will be listed in the preview, rest assured that talent and hard work will lead to exposure. So please be patient and enjoy the preview!
TOP 5
#1 Dell Rapids St. Mary Cardinals
2020 Season: 7-3, State Runner-Ups
DRSM came up just short last season, and competed well throughout the championship game. It was impressive last season that although they had a star athlete in Connor Libis and 4 other All-State players, they also had the size on both sides of the ball and talent that will surely carry into this season. Think of this season as a reload for the Cardinals, not a rebuild.
All-State OL John Pica, along with Noah Olund, Ty Brown, CJ Smith, Gabriel Lindeman, and Nic Gaspar will all be returning starters for the Cardinals, while Coach Flemmer expects Luke Geraets, Gabe Lamb, Brandon Cook, Tate Bunkers, Kyle Bares, Aiden Allen, Camden Gilber, Anthony Geraets, Lucas Flemmer, and Owen Vargas to contribute greatly this season.
Like all teams in 9-man, Flemmer hopes that low injury-numbers will give DRSM a chance to make a deep run at the playoffs.
Schedule: 13th
#2 Harding County/Bison Ranchers
2020 Season: New Co-Op, Harding County (4-4), Bison (2-7)
56 miles. That’s the distance that separates these two schools for a football co-op. Is it time to go to 6-man in South Dakota? Well, we’ll save that for another time. For now, let’s talk about the Ranchers.
Harding County put up a .500% record despite only being able to play 2 quarters with their offensive core due to injuries. That shows this team is going to be resilient, hungry, and depth-experienced. Returning starters include:
QB Kelby Hett, RB/LB Cayden Floyd, WR/S Keegan Hett, G/DT Grey Gilbert, RB/LB Dawson Kautzman, C/DT Cody Barnett, and TE/LB Gage Gilbert, while that experience depth features Cade Costello, Braden Routier, Brennan Glines, Clancy Adolph, and Slate Page.
With those returners, look for Harding County/Bison to be a threat in the West River area this season. Bison will also be bringing 7 freshman over to Buffalo, so 30 talented players should be more than enough. If you haven’t guessed yet, the Ranchers are a favorite for the title.
Schedule: 4th
#3 Faulkton Area Trojans
2020 Season: 4-4
Faulkton Area was bounced from the playoffs last season in the first round, losing 48-26 to Herreid/Selby Area. Now, the Trojans are looking to elevate themselves with new talent heading into this season.
The Trojans return an impressive 18 letterwinners, including 6 starters on both sides of the ball. That experience will be crucial for this season. QB Parker Geditz threwfor 993 yards last season and will be surrounded by many options including WR Bennett Cassens (24 rec, 279 yds), TE Hunter Niederbaumer (9 rec, 174 yds, 3 TD), and TE Ryan Beckler (10 rec, 110 yds). FB Simon Bowar rushed for over 400 yards last season and will be joining Geditz in the backfield, while Gus Kopecky and Ben Stoecker will shore up the offensive line.
Defensively, Niederbaumer will look to play a big role, as will offensive starters Bowar, Beckler, Cassens and Geditz. Upperclassman Alex Sorensen (WR/DB), Roman Dimaria (WR/DB) and DJ McGaugh (TE/DL) will also add into the mix.
Schedule: 9th
#4 Alcester-Hudson Cubs
2020 Season: 5-4
Alcester-Hudson ended last season in a heartbreaking fashion, losing 40-32 to Colman-Egan in the 1st round of the Class 9B playoffs. This defeat came after an earlier 64-38 victory against Colman-Egan back on 9/25. Hopefully, the Cubs can use that motivation to reach greater heights this season.
The Cubs currently have a QB battle going, with both Mateo Kleinhans and William Hallaway looking to make a big impact on the team. Jovey Christensen (RB/DB), Rodrigo Samayoa (OL/DL), and Jacob Kemner (OL/DL) will also look to help carry Alcester-Hudson.
Schedule: 10th
#5 Corsica-Stickney Jaguars
2020 Season: 5-5
Maybe a surprise pick after finishing .500% last season, the Jaguars should see some success come their way.
Corsica-Stickney will benefit from one of the easiest schedules in all of 9-man football, but that doesn’t take away from the talent they have. Shed Bosma will lead the Jaguars at the QB position, and the Junior will join a trio of Seniors in that leadership role: Taven Burke (RB/DB), Cole Feenstra (RB/DB), and Caden VanDrongelen (FB/DB).
Schedule: 17th
RECEIVING VOTES
Sully Buttes Chargers
2020 Season: 2-6
1st Team All-State DL Jessie Schall looks to lead the Chargers to victory this season. Also for Sully Buttes, Junior QB Landon Hepker will take charge under the center, while Cooper Weinheimer and Jordan Shall look to be targets for the offense.
The schedule won’t be of benefit to Sully Buttes, but it also shows that they are going to have plenty of chances to prove themselves this regular season.
Schedule: 6th
Langford Area Lions
2020 Season: 6-3
The Lions have just 3 seniors listed on their roster, but they will all be in crucial positions. QB Ben Gustafson will be the leader for Langford Area against a favorable schedule, while C Brayden Peterson will be his go to lineman. TE Aden Gobel rounds out the senior leadership, but Langford Area brings 5 juniors to the field as well.
Schedule: 15th
Faith Longhorns
2020 Season: 7-3
Don’t sleep on the Longhorns.
Faith put together a solid season in 2020, finishing with a great 7-3 record. And just as iron sharpens iron, success leads to success. However, for the Longhorns to have success this season, they will have to do it against the 2nd hardest schedule in the Class.
Junior Jess Harper will be the starter at the QB position, and he will be protected by 3 seniors on the line: G Gabe Bushong, G, Thomas Thunder (Great name for a lineman), and C Hudson Fischbach.
In the skills positions, the Longhorns showcase a pair of Senior TEs in Ian Arneson and Shayde Lemmel, along with FB Tayson Jones. The wide receiver core is fairly young, so maybe expect this team to attack with a Big Ten style “3-yards-and-a-pile-of-dust” type of offense.
Schedule: 2nd
Colome Cowboys
2020 Season: 1-7
After a tough season last year, Colome are looking for week-to-week improvement. This year’s edition of the Cowboys will feature freshman QB Eli Vobr starting in the big role. He will be surrounded by talent that includes Billy Looking Cloud, Sully Shippy, Kash Heath and Kaden Pechota.
One of the big keys last season for Coach Kinzer was taking the losses as lessons, and now he hopes the team can capitalize off those games and continue to improve throughout the season. Colome actually got a first place vote this offseason, so quite possibly someone in the media thinks this team has a shot at the Dome.
Schedule: 12th
Potter County Battlers
2020 Season: N/A
The Battlers will have 7 seniors joining the field, lead by QB Grant Luikens. I first questioned the selection in a similar way to Colome, but I have changed my mind. You can’t replace senior leadership and experience, and Potter County will bring that to fields across the North Central SD area this season.
C Logan Decker and Colin Arbach are the lone seniors on the line, while Seth Sharp (TE) brings a piece to a team that could make a little noise this season.
Schedule: 7th
THE FIELD
Avon Pirates
2020 Season: 2-7
Avon didn’t have the ending to the season they would have liked, with a COVID cancellation before the playoffs, but look to bounce back after the 2-win season.
The Pirates return 20 letterwinners from last season, including 7 on both sides of the ball. Experience is always the best indicator for success, and that much time on the field will surely result in a higher number in the win column this season. Senior QB Riley Rucktaeschel (66-128, 819 yds, 5 TD) looks to be a key for the Pirates offense and will be joined by Senior FB Lincoln Thury (68 c, 321 yds, TD) along with Junior RB Brady Bierma (103 c, 666 yds, 8 TD) in the backfield. The offense also returns G Kley Heumiller, TE Caleb Wallinga, RB Noah Watchorn, and C Landon Thury.
Defensively, Li. Thury (88 tackles) and Rucktaeschel (41 tackles) will continue to lead the Pirates, while DT Kley Heumiller, DB Jaden Stahl, and offensive starters Wallinga, Bierema, and La. Thury look to make a big splash this season.
The key to Avon’s season will be remaining healthy and holding strong depth-wise, while also looking to gain another season of experience for the underclassmen grades.
Schedule: 8th
Estelline/Hendricks Redhawks
2020 Season: 1-7
The Redhawks list zero seniors on their roster this season, so many 2022 returners will get a chance at significant playing time before their senior season. The leader of the group will be QB Braxton Saathoff, and he will help Estelline/Hendricks prepare for a schedule that is favorable in the win column.
Schedule: 11th
Gayville-Volin Raiders
2020 Season: 2-4 (9A)
Gayville-Volin will play benefit to dropping down a class this season, and hopes it will make an impact on their record.
Senior Nate Quartier will look to be the QB for the Raiders this season, and he will be looking to find a pair of Senior WRs, Kyle Hirsch and Brady Huether in the endzone. RB Andrew Gustad is looking to make an impact, while C George Cutts will maintain the line.
Schedule: 3rd
Hitchcock-Tulare Patriots
2020 Season: 3-5
Hitchcock-Tulare will have a new man at the helm this season, former assistant coach Tom Salmen.
Senior QB Jack Boomsma, a Black Hills State recruit, will lead the Patriots offense this season, while WR/S Landon Puffer, TE/DE TJ Salmen, QB/OLB Carter Binger, OLB/KR Kyle Hamilton, RB/LB Erik Salmen, and Lineman Jacob Michlitsch are all returning starters this season. So in all, this team is bringing back a lot of experience in crucial positions.
WR/OLB Jedidiah Waldner, OL/DL Caden Bottum, Slot/LB Zach Gilbert, OL/LB Elliott Harford, WR/OLB Cole Schroeder, C/DL Riley Flieher, and TE/DE Jackson Maynard hope to make a big impact for the team as well.
The Patriots have the tools to put together a great season, and this group is looking to make a big impact heard across the state this season.
Schedule: 18th
Jones County Coyotes
2020 Season: Jones County-White River 3-6 (9AA)
Jones County broke off from their co-op of last season, and now will try to return to 9B as an independent.
Now, experience will be key against a tough schedule, but the Coyotes will have a veteran leader in Carter Iversen at the QB position. Slade Benedict will join him in the backfield as an RB, while the line will feature 4 seniors in Bridger Hight, Marco Avila, Blaine Hauptman, and Tanner Willert.
Schedule: 5th
New Underwood Tigers
2020 Season: 2-4
The Tigers have the toughest schedule in the class, though it is not quite as tough as some teams in the upper 2 9-man classes are facing. Either way, it will be a challenging season for New Underwood. Junior QB Cole Knuppe looks to lead the way, and he will be joined by Senior RB Emmitt Ritcher.
Senior leadership on the line for the Tigers include Logan Albers and Korbin Kuhlman, while TE Kade Montague is hoping to make a big splash.
Schedule: 1st
Sunshine Bible Academy Crusaders
2020 Season: No Season
The Crusaders have just 10 players listed on their upcoming roster, with no seniors on the team. Juniors Daniel Gerbracht, Ethan Quinn, Nolan Triebwasser and Josh VanHeuvelen will try to lead this team away from injuries and towards a couple wins.
Schedule: 16th
Waverly-South Shore Coyotes
2020 Season: 1-7
The Coyotes enter the season with some new faces. Okay, A LOT of new faces. The coaching staff was hired on July 21st of this year, and new Head Coach Tommy Whitley hopes to lead a squad to success that has a multitude of freshman incoming. The question will be how fast these players can transition to the varsity game, and it looks like it might be a rebuild year for the Coyotes.
Schedule: 14th
This article was written by TK.
