OVERALL CLASS 9A PREVIEW
All Top 5 teams this season are very talented at the 9A level, and the division now has #1 Wolsey-Wessington, the 2020 9B State Champions, joining their ranks. They will now have to square off against #2 De Smet and #3 Howard, both of whom have motivation after falling short of their goals last season.
While those 3 surely lead at the top of the pack, #4 Herreid/Selby Area and #5 Warner hope to leave their mark on the class, 2 very good teams that will have chances to prove themselves this season. But will any of these teams make the dome? Not if the Wall Eagles have a say in the matter. Though unranked, Wall looks to be one of the top teams west of the river, and perennial winner Colman-Egan looks to join them in creating a stir later this season.
DakotaDome Favorites: Wolsey-Wessington, De Smet, Howard
Dark Horse Bids: Herreid/Selby Area, Warner, Wall
Upset Viable: Colman-Egan, Kadoka 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 Wolsey-Wessington Warbirds
2020 Season: 10-3, State Champions (9B)
Well, there is not much better you can do than a state championship season, but maybe this time the Warbirds go for an undefeated title? Wolsey-Wessington will have to make that attempt in a higher class, but might have the pieces to do so.
Moving up a class will definitely be a challenge for the Warbirds, but defending 9A champion Canistota/Freeman is also going to 9AA. As a whole, I think this leaves the 9A class wide-open for the taking, and who better to take than Wolsey-Wessington?
The Warbirds had 7 players make the All-State team last season and are bringing back a huge chunk of their defense from the 2020 state championship team, including DB Marty Gohn, who also threw for 18 TDs last season. Fellow All-State athletes Eric Klanchnik, and Sterlin Bonin will be a key part of the Warbirds roster, and Keegan Haider, Payson Gohn, Chris Wuestewald along with Carson Zomer round out the top-tier defense.
Although Wolsey-Wessington won a state championship last year and lost 4 All-State players, expect the Warbirds to reload, not rebuild.
Strength of Schedule: 13th
#2 De Smet Bulldogs
2020 Season: 6-3
De Smet lost in the first round of the playoffs last season to a very good Howard team, and I’m sure that stings quite a bit. However, they do return 8 seniors for a run that could very well meet the Tigers again for a revenge game.
Honorable Mention All-State athlete Kalen Garry (Slot/DB), along with Rett Osthus (Slot/DB), Colt Wilkinson (QB/LB), and Tory Holland (TE/DE), will be the top returners in the skills positions for the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, lineman Blake Van Regenmorter, Damon Wilkinson, Cody Aughenbaugh and Owen Kerkvliet are looking to provide a dominant front. Also expect to see newcomers Kadyn Fast (Slot/DB), Thomas Aughenbaugh (WR/DB), and Gannon Gruenhagen (WR/DB) provide key minutes for De Smet.
The Bulldogs will also benefit from a very favorable schedule…In fact, only Great Plains Lutheran will has a lower S.O.S. in 9A this season. So could we see De Smet vault into the #1 spot quickly? I think so.
Strength of Schedule: 20th
#3 Howard Tigers
2020 Season: 9-1, State Semifinalist
Howard came up just short of Canistota/Freeman last season, losing 12-7 to the eventual champions. Now with the Pride out of the way, it could be Howard’s turn to take home the title.
SDSU commit Jace Sifore will look to lead the way for the Tigers, who lost a fair amount of talent, 11 seniors to be exact, in a graduating 2020 class. Defensively, Senior All-State LB Ty Beyer looks to provide a huge spark for the Tigers.
The Tigers may have lost some talent, but these all bring back a lot of threats that will be crucial for a run to the Dome.
Strength of Schedule: 6th
#4 Herreid/Selby Area Wolverines
2020 Season: 9-2, State Semifinalist (9B)
Maybe a dark horse to win the title this season, the Wolverines are returning from a trip to the 9B Semis, and have the benefit of a low S.O.S.
RB Trey Sayler will be a key part of the Wolverines offense last season. The senior was 1st-Team All-State in 9B, along with Senior OL Chance Gregg. Defensively, Trevor Sayler was also on the 1st Team All-State crew at the linebacker position, and teammate Brenden Begeman was on the top team as a DB.
Overall, returning not just one but FOUR 1st-Team All-State players shows that the Wolverines are talents and moving up a class will be no problem for them.
Strength of Schedule: 17th
#5 Warner Monarchs
2020 Season: 10-1, State Runner-Ups
Despite starting the rankings at #5, Warner actually received 2 first place votes, so it’s obvious there is some debate on just how good the Monarchs will be this season. They were the state runner-ups last season in this class, and with the absence of Canistota/Freeman, would make them the top returning finisher.
However, Warner is without most of their offensive production, and replacing nearly all their players in the skills positions, including All-State selections Landon Leidholt (TE) and Ty Cramer (RB), won’t be easy. All-State lineman Alex Braun is also gone, so who will lead Warner this season?
The Monarchs return a young but experience QB in Sophomore Hunter Kramer, and during that championship, it never felt like Kramer caught a break or felt relaxed, so we may have more to see from the sophomore this season.
Defensively, after losing Jackson McNeil, Senior LB Dawson Hanson will lead the way, along with Senior LB Peyton Jung, and Junior DE Devin Wosley. All in all, the real test for the Monarchs will be how quickly they can gain experience, especially with a tough schedule ahead.
Strength of Schedule: 5th
RECEIVING VOTES
Wall Eagles
2020 Season: 9-1, State Semifinals
The Eagles finished the season near the top of the mountain, and have been successful over the the last few seasons. They hope to carry that success to into this season, returning a multitude of talent, including: All-Staters Cedar Amiotte (1st Team DB), Blair Blasius (1st Team Special Teams) and DE Norman Livermont (Honorable Mention).
TE/DE Reid Hansen, G/DT Kole Sandal, QB/LB Burk Blasius, and WR/DB Rylan McDonnell also look to be big leaders for a team that has their eyes set on a deep playoff run.
Wall is at the outside looking in of the Top #5, but it’s very realistic they get in this season. They definitely contend as the top team in the west river area and have a shot at an undefeated regular season, but it won’t be easy, as they start with our #7 toughest schedule in the class.
However, experience like a tough schedule is crucial for a deep playoff run, and don’t be surprised if the Eagles end the season in Vermillion.
Strength of Schedule: 7th
Colman-Egan Hawks
2020 Season: 6-3 (9B)
The Hawks have 3 state championships in the last 5 seasons (16′, 17′, 19′) at the 9B level and look to bring that success to the 9A level.
For that success to happen though, Colman-Egan needs to fill lots of spots on the offensive side of the ball. The Hawks top returner is RB Dawson Tolley with 405 yards in 2020, and Colman-Egan will also have TE Ben Zwart, WR Austin Gullikson and C Kelby Voelcker from last season. Easton Williamson will take over as QB for the Hawks, while WR Logan Voelker will look to join the starting rotation. All in all, the Hawks have to have some inexperienced players take a larger role on the offensive side.
Defensively, Colman-Egan returns L.Voelker, Zwart, K.Voelcker, Gullikson and leading-tackler Tolley (60). This experience will be crucial for the Hawks, and expect some defensive battles in their schedule this season.
Strength of Schedule: 9th
Gregory Gorillas
2020 Season: 5-4
Most teams rely on senior leadership. But it’s a good thing that the Gorillas are not like most teams. In fact, Gregory has no seniors listed on their roster, and with a schedule that rankings in the tough half of the class, will need some underclassmen to step into some major roles.
Sophomore Rylan Peck looks to take the top leadership role at QB this season, while Freshman Cruz Klundt is also listed at the play caller position.
Strength of Schedule: 10th
Britton-Hecla Braves
2020 Season: 4-5
The Braves put in a new offense and defensive philosophy last season, and there was no doubt growing pains as Britton-Hecla lost in the 1st round. This new version of the Braves, however, looks to continue to climb up the ladder in a competitive class.
Aidan Fredrickson rushed for 200 yard and 4 touchdowns last season, while also passing for 737 yards and 7 touchdowns. He will look to lead the offense, and BoDell Davidson (RB/LB), Eli Jensen (OL/DL), Andre Herrera (OL/DL) and Gage Storley (CB) will look to step into bigger roles for the Braves this season.
Strength of Schedule: 14th
Castlewood Warriors
2020 Season: 5-5
The Warriors had a season last year that can surely be improved on. Senior Tristan Nielsen leads the way at QB this season, while a trio of senior lineman, Hunter Smith, Jackson Nei, and Ryder Mack hope to protect him.
Strength of Schedule: 11th
Irene-Wakonda Eagles
2020 Season: 2-7 (9B)
After a 2-7 season last year, how did Irene-Wakonda receive a vote? Maybe someone knows something the rest of us don’t. What we do know, however, is that Eagles have an extremely difficult schedule this season. So if they are as good as someone thinks they are, they will have plenty of chances to prove it. The Eagles have 2 QBs listed on their roster, Junior Dashel Spurrell and Sophomore Ben Girad, so we are very interested to see the results of this first game against Burke.
Strength of Schedule: 2nd
Kadoka Area Kougars
2020 Season: 9-2 (9B)
#2 coolest logo in the 9A. Okay, just had to get that out there. On the field though, the Kougars will rely on Sophomore QB Mason Stilwell to lead them both in their transition to 9A and one of the toughest schedules in the class. He will have an experience line in front of him, including Senior Tyler Ring and Juniors Ian VanderMay, Tyrel Mansfield, Gabriel LaRoque, and Layne Palmer.
Ring is just 1 of 2 seniors on the roster, as TE/S Dawson Reckling will join him. So for the Kougars to be successful, they will need lots of underclassmen to step up and gain great experience against some tough teams.
Strength of Schedule: 4th
THE FIELD
Burke Cougars
2020 Season: 5-4
The Cougars fell in the first round of the playoffs last season, and look to bounce back to new heights this year. RB Taron Serr will lead the offensive production this season, while Burke also returns starters in key positions, including QB Ben Witt, RB/DB Bryce Frank, TE/S Brogen Glover, and TE/LB Gunnar Stephens.
The line will feature newcomers, Tyler Spencer, Jaden Swan and Mason Hood, so their development will be key to the success of the Cougars, while backfield newcomer Jackson Bauld will look to take some pressure off of Serr.
Strength of Schedule: 16th
Great Plains Lutheran Panthers
2020 Season: 0-7 (9AA)
It was a tough season record-wise for the Panthers in 2020, but an inexperience and young line now returns to get GPL in the win column.
That line, lead by RJ Perry and Trent Lien, will hope to provide time for QB Sam Hansen, who threw for 605 yards last season, and with the transferring of some of their top skill players last season, Coach Schluesener’s squad is looking for David Sell, Parker Watkins, Thomas Erickson to step up.
If the Panthers look to improve on their record from last season, this year is the year to do it, as they have our easiest ranked schedule in Class 9A.
Strength of Schedule: 21st
Oldham-Ramona/Rutland Raiders
2020 Season: 3-6
Tight End Isaac Trygstad will use a rare combination of size and speed to make a big impact for the Raiders, after the senior caught 4 touchdown passes for 281 yards last season in just 20 catches. The guy making those passes will be Will Matson, a senior who threw for 900 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 700 yards and 7 TDs.
Runningback/Lineback Orion Albertson will look to be a key on both sides of the ball, finishing 2020 with 345 total yards of offense and 69 tackles, while the line will be lead by C/DL Caleb Janton, who had 30 tackles last season.
The Raiders will be better than their record will show, as O-R/R has the toughest schedule in the class. In fact, when formulating the rankings, my first thought was “absolutely brutal.” So yeah, give the Raiders a little break.
Strength of Schedule: 1st
Philip Scotties
2020 Season: 7-3
To be honest, Philip’s mascot might be the toughest dog mascot ever seen. Okay, that doesn’t have to do with the team, but it is of note.
The Scotties return with an impressive record from last season, but were bounced out by a score of 50-0 in the quarterfinals to Canistota/Freeman. Now, Philip returns looking to make some noise west of the river, and comes as a quite underdog to Wall and Kadoka Area.
If Philip does want to improve from last season, they will have to do so against one of the tougher schedules in 9A.
Strength of Schedule: 8th
Centerville Tornadoes
2020 Season: 0-8 (9B)
It hasn’t been an easy road for the Tornadoes, and a winless season last year is not something to spend much time on. However, I do think they will see some improvement in that win column this season. After all, they have the 3rd-easiest schedule in the class.
Strength of Schedule: 19th
Kimball/White Lake WiLdKats
2020 Season: 1-7
Another team with a tough 2020 season, the WiLdKats (great name by the way) will need to see underclassmen continue to climb and improve each week. Keep an eye out for Freshman QB Holden Havlik, along with Levin Nightingale, Jaxons Christensen, and Carter Lenz.
Strength of Schedule: 12th
Newell Irrigators
2020 Season: 0-8
The road to success may not get any easier for the Irrigators, facing an extremely-difficult schedule on top of last record’s record. This may be a season were Newell focuses on the little improvements, and tend to not focus so much on the score.
Strength of Schedule: 3rd
North Central Thunder
2020 Season: New Co-op for Football
Haven’t heard much about the Thunder, except that they have probably the coolest logo in the Class. Okay, not probably, it IS the coolest logo in the class.
I don’t know what to expect out of this team, but they will play benefit to a lighter schedule then most. The roster is shallow, with just 17 athletes this season, and are lead by Sophomore Raynor Sprague at QB. Keep an eye on this team near the North Dakota border.
Strength of Schedule: 15th
Northwestern Wildcats
2020 Season: 2-6
While their nearby rivals will be trying to return to the title game, the Northwestern Wildcats might try to pull a few upsets along the way. Junior Fatafehi Faonelua is the leader this year at QB, while a team that features 5 senior WR options in Kaysie Bauman, Kade Stahl, Cameron Wilson, Brandon Toennies, and Christopher Toennies look to provide a lot of threats downfield.
Strength of Schedule: 18th
This article was written by TK.
