OVERALL 11B PREVIEW
DakotaDome Favorites: Sioux Valley, B-E/E, Winner
Dark Horse Candidates: St. Thomas More, W/WS/SC
Upset Viable: Elk Point-Jefferson
Note: 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 Winner Warriors
2020 Season: 11-0, State Champions
Last season was a great one for the Warriors, and no doubt they will be remembered throughout school history. Now they return to hold the throne, even with B-E/E close by.
The Warriors lost a lot of talent from last season, but still bring some key playmakers to the table this year. These include Junior FB Riley Orel, who rushed for 700 yards and 10 TDs in 2020. A duo of Senior lineman in Charley Pravacek and Achilles Willuweit (Fantastic name) will look to maintain a solid line for a new QB, while Tight Ends Jackson Vesely and Ethan Bartels return as top threats.
Defensively, Pravacek (26 tackles, 7 TFL), and Vesely (4 TFL) will return on the line, while Orel (33 tackles, 2 INT) and S Kaden Keiser (29 tackles, 7 INT) will take charge in the backfield.
The Warriors have a lot of talent to replace, but a week 1 showdown against B-E/E will give them a good understanding of where they are at.
#2 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan Seahawks
2020 Season: 11-1, State Runner-Up
The Seahawks came up just 1 play short in their only loss of the season last year, and now they look to come back to the Dome for unfinished business.
That business though will be tough, as they will be missing 2 All-State lineman, Brooks Jansen and Josh Bartscher, as well as All-State players Eric Gustafson (ATH), Rylee Schultz (LB), and Bodie Burnham (DB).
Replacing those superstars won’t be easy, but HM All-State Senior Koby Kayser looks to lead the way. Senior QB Kaden Klumb will also join Kayser in the backfield, while Wide Receivers Jay Storm (SR) and Drake Gustafson (SO) provide key targets downfield.
Just like the Warriors, the key to the Seahawks season will be how quickly they can replace a senior class, and that week 1 matchup against Winner looms closer and closer…
#3 Sioux Valley Cossacks
2020 Season: 9-2, State Semifinalist
It is tough to replace a TE as talented as Jaxton Schiller, but the Cossacks have some pieces that could make this a stellar season. The top QB in the class, Senior Parker Puetz, is back to help lead Sioux Valley to the DakotaDome. He will be joined by HM All-State WR Damian Danziesen who looks like one of the top threats downfield in the state this season. That 1-2 punch could be scary for opposing teams, and don’t be suprised if the Cossacks leapfrog into the #1 spot.
#4 St. Thomas More Cavaliers
2020 Season: 7-2, State Quarterfinalist
After a great season last year, the Cavaliers now look to compete with Winner as the top team in the West River area. Junior QB Jed Sullivan will lead the way for STM this season, and joining him in the skills positions will be Senior WR Trey Herrboldt and Senior RB Kellen Weber. Logan Hilt will also be leading in the trenches for the Cavaliers.
Overall, STM has the senior leadership at key positions that is desperately needed for a state championship. If they can remain injury free, there is no reason why they can’t contend for the Dome.
#5 Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central Blackhawks
2020 Season: 7-3, State Quarterfinalist
The Blackhawks play a tough brand of football and bring back a strong senior class on both sides of the ball. QB Tryce Slykhuis finished with 10 total TDs last year and returns with RB Clay Olinger (755 yds, 7 TD), RB Camden Jost (239 yds, 4 TD), and FB Cater Grohs (296 yds, 5 TD).
Slykhuis (6 INTs) will also help lead the defense, along with All-State DB Olinger (23 tackles, 10 Pass breakups) and All-State DE Quinten Christensen (59.5 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks). With just those 3, you would think that the Blackhawks defense is pretty good…But we also haven’t mentioned DL Philip Hines (42.5 tackles), LB Noah Wormstadt (35.5 tackles), LB Camden Jost (37.5 tackles) and LB Brady Larson (43.5 tackles, 4.5 TFL).
This defense is absolutely loaded, and if the offense can stay away from turnovers, LOOK OUT!
RECEIVING VOTES
Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies
2020 Season: 6-4, State Quarterfinalist
The Huskies are returning a lot of depth, which is a great sign for success in 11B. Junior QB Noah McDermott, who threw for 812 yards last season, is back, along with RB Lucas Hueser. They will be joined by TE Jacob Kichtenberg, and offensive lineman Noah Larson, Ethan Kelly, Chace Fornia, and Gavin Jacobs. An experienced line like that will be crucial this season.
Defensively, Larson (26.5 tackles), Fornia (26.5 tackles), Jacob Lichtenberg (24.5 tackles), and Ty Trometer (6.5 tackles) return to the defensive line, while Ben Swatek (46.5 tackles) with Devon Schmitz (20.5 tackles) return to Linebacker.
In the secondary, Hunter Geary, Jakob Scarman and Lucas Hueser return as well, so it’s easy to see the Huskies as a threat to any of the top teams this year.
Mobridge-Pollock Tigers
2020 Season: 9-1, State Semifinalist
The Tigers are without All-State WR Bryston Goehring this season, as well as twin All-State WR Braden Goehring. They are also losing HM All-State Cayden Eisemann, so unlike the Huskies, Mobridge-Pollock fails to return their top players from last year.
Even so, this new squad is still expected to be a threat in 11B. Junior Dayday Heminger will man the ship for the Tigers at QB against a favorable schedule. However, we don’t have to wait long to see what Mobridge-Pollock is made of, as they take on #4 St. Thomas More on the road in Week 0.
McCook Central/Montrose Fighting Cougars
2020 Season: 5-4, State Quarterfinalist
Another team who lost a pair of All-State players in Cayden Eisemann and Trace Cerney, the Fighting Cougars are hoping to rebuild and rebuild quickly. Senior QB Gavin Gordon leads the way on one of the biggest rosters in 11B, so McCook Central/Montrose will not need to worry about depth issues.
The schedule however, will put the team to the test, as dates with Elk Point-Jefferson, Sioux Valley, and Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan loom in the distance.
THE FIELD
Aberdeen Roncalli Cavaliers
2020 Season: 3-5
The Cavaliers bring back experience, with many of their players now entering years 2 and 3 as starters. That core will be lead Junior HM All-State QB Jackson Isakson, and joining him at the skills positions is Junior RB Maddox May (Great name!), and Junior WR Philip Zens.
On the line Senior Carson Helms and Junior Brenden Livermont look to be the key. Roncalli still might be a year away from their peak, but don’t be surprised if they sneak in a few more wins.
Baltic Bulldogs
2020 Season: 4-4 (9AA)
The Bulldogs now join 11-man football and are lead by senior QB James Leffring.
Bennett County Warriors
2020 Season: 2-4
The Warriors now have their 3rd coach in 4 seasons, as Delmar Toczek is now at the helm. Alex Baker and Wyatt Huber are newcomers to look for, and a strong freshman class will get a lot of experience this season.
Beresford Watchdogs
2020 Season: 2-5
A good QB needs good pieces around him and Junior Tate VanOtterloo will have those pieces. Wide Recievers Isaiah Richards, Max Orr, Carter Sveggen and Brayden Sommervold all return to the show, while Running Backs Josh Lawrence and Nehemiah Wipf hope to make a big splash running behind lineman Isaac Ward and Ashton Tjaden.
Clark/Willow Lake Cyclones
2020 Season: 4-5 (9AA)
Moving up to 11-man can’t be easy, and the Cyclones will have to do it against a some tough teams in the class. Junior Trey Huber will lead the transition, and O-Linemen Zach Winter and Avery Nichols hope to put up a good front. Defensively, Gage Burke and Lucas Kannegieter will lead at the linebacker postion, while Safety Mitchell Larson will monitor the secondary.
Dakota Hills Grizzlies
2020 Season: 2-6 (9AA)
Another team that has to move up, the Grizzlies will feature some veteran leadership. Senior QB/K Seth Gaikowski will take charge and will have great options in a pair of Tight Ends, JT Gulbraa and Trey Jurgens.
Offensive lineman Logen Tomac, Nathan Pearson and Brayden Ebeen also look to provide some time for their QB.
Deuel Cardinals
2020 Season: 3-3 (9AA)
The Cardinals didn’t get as many games as most teams, and hope that they will have the experience necessary to transition to 11-man.
Sophomore QB Trey Maaland leads the way, and he is joined by All-Conferences players in RB Owen Quail and TE Dalan Dahl along with OL Jace TeKony.
Deuel loses 3 All-State players from last year, so replacing that talent quickly will be crucial.
Flandreau Fliers
2020 Season: 1-7
3-year starter and QB Tanner Christenson hopes to lead the Fliers into an era of success. Flandreau returns a ton of starters, including RB Tathan Headrick, RB Ethan Hoffman, and RB Lane Johanson, along with TE/WRs Tash Lunday (HM All-State) and Kolby Peters.
On the line, the Fliers bring back Senior Chase Reed, Senior Sergio Morales and Junior Isiah Fisherman. Easy to say, Flandreau will surely improve on last years’ record.
Groton Area Tigers
2020 Season: 2-6
The Tigers look to hit their stride behind QB Kaden Kurtz, and he’ll look for options in RB Pierce Kettering, RB Favian Sanchez and WR Jordan Bjerke.
Hill City Rangers
2020 Season: 2-6 (9AA)
The Rangers, without question, have the coolest logo I may have every seen. That is not an opinion, that is a fact.
As far as the team this year, many of the starters last season were inexperience underclassman. Now, freshman QB Devin Buehler hopes to gain quick experience behind Seniors Tanner Davis (FB) and Dade Burleigh (OL).
Hill City has just 5 upperclassmen on a roster of just 19 players, so this could be another rebuild year for the Rangers.
Hot Springs Bison
2020 Season: 1-7
Senior QB Brynn Thompson is under center for the Bison, a team that is looking to improve on it’s 1-win mark from last season. He will be joined by WR Trace Deboer and 2 crucial lineman in Hunter Haines and Logan Halls.
Jim River Trappers
2020 Season: New CO-OP
The cultural around both Menno/Marion and Scotland athletics feels like it’s changed. Maybe it is because of the baseball team or the new football co-op, but it feels like a change for the better.
Neither team has exceptionally great seasons at the 9-man level, but senior QB Dawson Bietz along with RB Treyton Sayler and RB Tyler Massey hope to lead the Trappers into a new era. They are joined by Senior WR Austin Pillsbury, who is a key target for Bietz.
No one quite knows how good they will be, be keep an eye on Jim River.
Lead-Deadwood Golddiggers
2020 Season: 2-6
QB Rocke Rainey (Another great name!) looks to lead an improve team out in the hills. Defending him will be OL Eli Heisinger and Carter Estes, with DB Tristen Fierbach leading the defense.
The Golddiggers are all under new leadership, as Kyle Kooima takes over as Head Coach.
Miller/Highmore-Harrold Rustlers
2020 Season: 0-7
In a weirder turn of events, the Rustlers had to play their homecoming game on the road against Madison. Now, they hope to put last season behind them and look forward to a new year, returning 8 starters on both sides of the ball. Lineman Noah Johnson, Tevin Cowan, Owen Fritzsche and Tight End Trevor Werdel look to protect a new QB, while WR Grady Aasby and Peyton McDonnell hope to make a loud impact. They will be joined by FB Jaden Anderberg and RB Tate Hoffman.
Mount Vernon/Plankinton Titans
2020 Season: 3-4
The roster brings back 6 senior offensive lineman, so expect the Titans to have good leadership this season. Those seniors are protecting Junior QB Reed Rus, who is trying to lead Mt. Vernon/Plankinton into the win column. The Titans also return HM All-State Senior Lincoln Klooz.
Parker Pheasants
2020 Season: 3-6 (9AA)
The Pheasants are hoping Junior QB Logan Bridges makes a big impact in the 11-man game and he will be joined by TE Davin Fuller, WR Jaivyn DeBoer, and DT Jevi Wieman.
Redfield Pheasants
2020 Season: 3-5
Redfield is looking to break that .500% mark and will do so behind a strong senior class and a new head coach. Mason Oltmanns has the head job this year, and he will take over an offense lead by QB Easton Millar.
The success of trio of RBs will be a huge key for the Pheasants, as Paul Juarez, Mason Fey and Sean Domke hope to make some noise behind Collin Frericks.
Tripp-Delmont/Armour/AC/DC Thunderhawks
2020 Season: 3-5 (9A)
A 2-class jump will be no easy task for the Thunderhawks, but Junior QB Cade Faulkner is leading the way.
Wagner Red Raiders
2020 Season: 1-4
The Red Raiders didn’t get much of a season last year and hope to play a full schedule this year. They will have a talented QB this year in Senior Dustin Honomichal, while TE Nolan Dvorak is looking to play a key role.
Webster Area Bearcats
2020 Season: 0-8
Last year did not go as the Bearcats had hoped for, but Senior QB Jacob Pereboom will try to lead Webster Area to the win column.
This article was written by TK.
