OVERALL 9AA PREVIEW:
Okay, so yeah, this class is loaded. And when I say loaded, I mean THIS CLASS IS ABSOLUTELY STACKED.
There will be good teams this season that don’t even make it out of the Quarterfinals! Platte-Geddes returns a slew of talent, and the Canistota/Freeman Pride now look for title #4 in a new territory. We also have to keep a look out for the great teams in Hanson, Hamlin and Viborg-Hurley, while Florence/Henry looks to be a sneaky team that could make a dangerous run in the postseason.
DakotaDome Favorites: Platte-Geddes, Canistota/Freeman
Dark Horse Bids: Hanson, Hamlin
Upset Viable: Viborg-Hurley, Florence/Henry, Lemmon/McIntosh
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 Platte-Geddes Black Panthers
2020 Season: 12-0, State Champion
When I watched Viborg-Hurley play last season, I said that the only way a team could beat them was by keeping Angel Johnson from getting to the outside, and a QB that can really throw the ball. Well, when the Black Panthers won 28-22 in the semifinals last season, they did just that. Easy to say, I was very impressed with Platte-Geddes last year, and the talent they bring back is incredible.
All-State returners include Senior RB Jackson Neuman, Senior TE Caden Foxley, Senior OL Royce Finney, Senior LB Grayson Hanson and Senior K Jackson Olsen. They are returning 5 all-state players after losing 3 to graduation.
We can go on and on about the stats or the schedule or anything else, but it’s pretty easy to see that on paper, these guys are the team to beat in 9-man.
Strength of Schedule: 18th
#2 Canistota/Freeman Pride
2020 Season: 11-1, State Champion (9A)
Currently, the Canistota/Freeman Pride are on the best run in 9-man football. 3 straight championship, these guys just know how to win. Now they play in a loaded 9AA class, and new challenges will be ahead after losing QB Tyce Ortman, but rest assured, all eyes are set on the Dome.
Isiah Robertson will look to lead Canistota/Freeman. The Senior RB/DB finished with 769 yards on 112 carries, while mixing in 4 interceptions. Junior WR Noah Kleinsasser also look to be a threat after posting 114 yards in 23 receptions and knabbing 23.5 tackles last season.
Senior lineman Riley Heiberger (33 tackles) look to provide leadership in the trenches and a slew of other talent including Jacob Swensen (TE/LB), Ethan Balvin (FB/LB), Tye Merrill (WR/DB), Trace Ortman (OL/DL), Will Ortman (WR/DB), Austin Matthaei (OL/DL), and Cayden Scott (TE/LB) will make a big impact on the field this season.
Is a 4th straight title in the sights of the Pride? Quite possibly, and even with a loaded class, consider them a favorite to reach the Dome.
Strength of Schedule: 3rd
#3 Hanson Beavers
2020 Season: 7-3, State Quarterfinalist
Hanson didn’t get to where they wanted to be last season, narrowly losing to Platte-Geddes in the state quarterfinals. Now, it might be time for the Beavers to chase down the defending state champions.
Senior Kade Waldera will take charge on the matter as QB1, while Jackson Jarding will be a top RB this season. The Beavers will also be without DE Riley Ferry, their only All-State selection from last season, but Jayden Kayser looks to shore up any holes on the line.
Strength of Schedule: 2nd
#4 Hamlin Chargers
2020 Season: 11-1, State Runner-Up
Hamlin lost some talent from last season, including FB Cameron Thue, RB Jackson Noem, OL Carter Trowbridge and DB Jacob McDonnell, all of whom were All-State selections. That’s a lot of really good players to replace.
This year, they do return 1 All-State player in SR Xander Sheehan, and he will look to lead the team at QB this season. WR Luke Fraser also saw some key minutes in last year’s state championship, while Kasen Prouty will look to replace Thue at FB. Sam Grantham will join Prouty and Sheehan in the backfield, will also holding up the DL with Michael Stevenson.
For the Chargers to be successful, they will need to have guys fill roles rather quickly. However, they do have the experience to do so, and a fairable schedule should benefit Hamlin immensely.
Strength of Schedule: 19th
#5 Viborg-Hurley Cougars
2020 Season: 9-1, State Semifinalist
It’s tough when you lose a player like Chase Mason early in the season, but the Cougars responded well with 2 other QB options.
But this year, they lose SDSU WR Angel Johnson, who was one of, if not the, most impressive player I watched last season. Along with Johnson, All-State OL Ty Van Hull, All-State ATH Carter Gust, and All-State DL Gradee Sherman are all gone to graduation.
However, they do bring back Senior All-State DB Hayden Gilbert, who I thought was a great Kick Return option last season, and will look to be the #1 option at WR along with DB.
As far as QB, Blake Schroedermeier leads the way for a Cougars roster featuring 22 athletes.
Is Viborg-Hurley on the outside looking in at a State Championship game? Sure, but don’t sleep on the Cougars.
Strength of Schedule: 10th
RECEIVING VOTES
Lemmon/McIntosh Cowboys
2020 Season: 10-1, State Semifinalist
It was an exciting year the Cowboys who fell just short of the Dome last season. This year, they return HM All-State WR Tanner Miller, who has only played 1 season for Lemmon/McIntosh (I would say that is a good season!). Talon Tragstad will also return for the Cowboys, and 2x All-State DE Tell Mollman will be a crucial piece on that side of the ball.
But even with such great returns, the Cowboys will also have newcomers Andrew Dirk, Justin Schopp, and Herman Frisvold to supplement a strong roster.
Strength of Schedule: 12th
Florence/Henry Falcons
2020 Season: 7-4, State Quarterfinalist
The Falcons are a sneaky, but threatening team this season in 9AA. No they aren’t listen top 5, but I think by the end of the season, we will be surprised by how far they go.
QB/LB Tegan Sumner (561 yards, 6 TD) will be back to help lead the way, and WR Mehki Keller (423 yards, 3 TD) looks to be a top target for the QB. Joining Sumner in the backfield is talented All-State RB Ashton Hanson (1,598 yards, 21 TD), while OL/DL Chase Kelly (65 tackles, 3 sacks) will be a top-level threat on the line.
The Falcons will also have transfers Clay Trupe and Justice Fitzgerald in the lineup, and benefit from a very winnable schedule.
Strength of Schedule: 21st
Chester Area Flyers
2020 Season: 6-3 (9A)
Chester Area moves up a class this season and have one of the toughest schedules in the state, but the Flyers are ready for the challenge.
They return 8 starters on both sides of the ball, lead by QB Stratton Eppard (3,569 yards and 34 TD of total offense). All-State WR Jovi Wolf looks to make a splash at the next level (and is only a sophomore btw), while Chase McDonald (76 tackles) will lead an experienced defense.
The Flyers will also benefit from rare All-State Kicker in Ryan Benson, and have the senior leadership to go deep in the tournament. If this class wasn’t so loaded, there is no doubt that Chester Area would be a preseason Top #5 team. The good news is, they will have the schedule to prove it.
Strength of Schedule: 5th
Parkston Trojans
2020 Season: 4-3
An interesting vote for the Top 5, the Trojans did not come off of an over impressive season. However, they play benefit to a great schedule. They will be tested early against #3 Hanson and have a senior QB in Cole Prunty, and joining him will be TE Max Scott, TE Gordon Seppala, OL Lane Johnson, and OL Chase Wisherman. All in all, the Parkston has some veteran leadership, and a chance to prove why they deserve to be near the top.
Strength of Schedule: 17th
Timber Lake Panthers
2020 Season: 3-4 (9A)
Senior All-State WR Hank Kraft looks to be a crucial part of the offense this season, and hopes to be a big target for QB Kendrick Martin.
Strength of Schedule: 15th
THE FIELD
Arlington/Lake Preston Badgers
2020 Season: 5-5, State Quarterfinalist
The Badgers hope to improve from last season’s .500% record, but will need to do so without All-State LB Seth Madsen. Arlington/Lake Preston will be young this season, with Sophomore QB Britt Carlson under center, but a senior-lead OL that includes Dylan Stainbrook, Nate Kersting, Chris Tvinnereim and Tyler Jurrens looks to provide a stable pocket.
The Badgers also have a strong weapon this season in WR Caleb Clark.
Strength of Schedule: 16th
Bon Homme Cavaliers
2020 Season: 2-6
After a season that may not have looked so good on paper, the Cavaliers are hoping to make a bigger impact this season. QB Easton Mudder will compete behind a strong line in Jacob Denton, Karsten Kolzak, and Matt Rezac.
Strength of Schedule: 6th
Deubrook Area Dolphins
2020 Season: 0-8
Last season was a tough one for the Dolphins, and the schedule will not make things any easier. Seniors, Mart VanTenn (WR), Gustav Sevheim (WR) and Kyle Mathison (OL) look to lead Deubrook Area, while Junior QB Colin Bauman will be at the helm.
Strength of Schedule: 4th
Dupree Tigers
2020 Season: 3-6 (9B)
A large jump up 2 classes for Dupree, the Tigers will be put to the test this season. They already took a 46-0 loss to #2 Harding County/Bison, but QB Treg Thorstenson looks to lead a senior-less roster of just 16 guys into the win column this season.
Strength of Schedule: 7th
Elkton-Lake Benton Elks
2020 Season: 2-7
Elkton-Lake Benton returns 2 HM All-State players in Junior Ryan Krog (QB/DB), and Senior Aiden Erickson (RB/CB). Now, the key for the Elks will be finding pieces around those two that can play at a high level, and a playoff spot might loom in the distance.
Strength of Schedule: 8th
Garretson Blue Dragons
2020 Season: 2-7 (11B)
The Dragons drop down a class and enter 9-man football this season, but will now have the hardest schedule in the whole thing. QB Dylan Kindt (1,786 yards of total offense) will lead the way for the Dragons, while Cooper Long (352 yards, 3 TD) and Ryan Flannagan (72 yards, 2 TD) look to be the top targets down-field.
Strength of Schedule: 1st
Ipswich Tigers
2020 Season: 7-3 (9A)
After a solid season last year, Ipswich now moves up to a very difficult class. Junior Ian Beyers is the QB this season and will have a trio of Senior WR targets, including Ty Kadiac, Matthew Jaenisch, and Trevor Beyers.
Defensively, All-State LB Luke Peterson returns this season and is the lone All-State player returning after the graduation of 1st All-State DB Matthew Hettich and HM All-State ATH Josh McQuarie.
Strength of Schedule: 13th
Leola/Frederick Area Titans
2020 Season: North Border Co-Op 3-6 (9A)
Leaving a co-op and fending for themselves will be the Titans, though it will be no easy road. Leola/Frederick Area takes on a brutal schedule the first half of the season, opening against Warner before eyeing road trips to Florence/Henry (9/3) and Hamlin (9/17) later in the season.
The Titans will be lead by a young QB in Sophomore Brayden Sumption.
Strength of Schedule: 9th
Lyman Raiders
2020 Season: 6-3 (9A)
It looks to be Junior Teegan Gourneau leading the way for the Raiders at QB, and seniors Isaac Thomas, Zack Oldenkamp, and TJ Moran will provide a tough OL. Lyman benefits from a fair schedule but will face some of the top west river 9-man teams, including Wall on September 17th.
Strength of Schedule: 14th
Stanley County Buffaloes
2020 Season: 5-3 (11B)
Another team dropping from 11B to 9AA, the Buffaloes look to find a more comfortable fit in 9-man with a favorable schedule. Lathan Price leads the offense from the QB spot this season, while 7 other seniors join the roster.
Strength of Schedule: 20th
White River Tigers
2020 Season: Jones County-White River Co-Op 3-6
The Tigers leave a co-op and will now be on their own against a tough schedule. Junior Gavin Folkers is the QB in a a roster that includes just 15 names, but Seniors Dylan Marshall (RB/LB), Renegade Wooden Knife (RB/LB), Kalan Collins (OL/DL) and William Lavarie (OL/DL) look to make a big impact.
Strength of Schedule: 11th
This article was written by TK.
