Notes:
- State Championships listed are from 1981-2022.
- SDHSBCA All-State players were included in this preview, as well as any player who caught, passed or rushed for over 400 yards last season.
- Defensively, 40 tackles, 5 sacks or multi-interception DBs were included in the preview. If no metric was met for the returners on any team in the categories of passing, receiving, or rushing, the top returner was included.
- We do not know the status of transfers, or student-athletes who are choosing not to participate, unless it was specifically verified to us.
- All stats were provided by coaches at the end of last season or were available at Maxpreps.com or Varsitybound.com
We understand that this does not cover all the returning starters or future breakout players for last season. However, we are excited to showcase your abilities throughout the year!
TOP 5
#1 Pierre Governors
Last Season: 10-2, State Champions
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Lincoln Kienholz (QB), Jack Merkwan (WR), Jason Maciejczak (OL), Jacob Mayer (DB)
- Graduated: Jaden Flor (DL)
Well…Are we looking at 6 in a row?
That’s the question that is on everyone’s mind as we start the AA season. And without a doubt, the Governors are the favorites again this season.
Washington commit Lincoln Kienholz will lead the way after a monster junior season. The top QB in the state threw for 3,359 yards and 37 touchdowns while rushing out of the shotgun for an additional 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He’ll also have some great options to throw to with Jack Merkwan (1,297 yards, 15 TD), Cade Kaiser (518 yards, 6 TD), and Jett Zabel (467 yards, 4 TD). Plus if the Govs decide to run the ball, Trey Lewis is a great option after 305 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2021.
Defensively, Co-DB of the Year, Jacob Mayer, headlines this group with 81 tackles and 5 interceptions, including the pick that lead to the game-winning field goal. Joining Mayer will be Gavin Stotts (93 tackles, 4 sacks), Deegan Houska (92 tackles), Chase Carda (53 tackles, 10.5 sacks) and Jayden Wiebe (45 tackles).
Safe to say, but the Govs are going to be stacked this season.
State Championships (6)- 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
#2 Tea Area Titans
Last Season: 11-1, State Runner-Ups
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Reis Kirschenman (DL), Chase Van Tol (FB)
- Graduated: Jaxon Weber (RB), Klayton Sattler (WR), Thomas Ostrem (OL), Cael Lundin (ATH), Jeff Worth (DB)
With back-to-back undefeated regular seasons, and three recent championship appearances, the Titans are respected as one of the top programs in the state. Now, Tea Area will need some new faces to step and continue the legacy after losing a great senior class.
Chase Van Tol will help lead the way for this squad, as the do-everything athlete rushed for 830 yards, and 9 touchdowns, nabbed 2 interceptions, and was the kicker last fall. He will also be joined by Nathan Babb, another two-way player who rushed for nearly 300 yards and picked off 3 passes.
Speaking of that defense, it looks to be the Titans key this season, as they return a handful of playmakers that will make a great core.
Reis Kirschenman is back terrific junior campaign that featured 28 tackles, 14 TFL and 6 sacks, while Jackson Smythe finished with 63 tackles. Ethan Vis (2 INT) and Parker Mulder (2 FR) also proved to be playmakers.
The Titans were terrific last season in the option, and they have two great backs returning to the gridiron. Therefore, even though they lose some great offensive talent, Tea Area has some solid returners offensively and a good defense, that could help lead them to a very successful season!
State Championships (2)- 2018 (A), 2020 (A)
#3 Yankton Bucks
Last Season: 6-5, State Semifinalist
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Rugby Ryken (ATH), Cody Oswald (DB), Trevor Paulson (K)
- Graduated: Carson Haak (OL), Bodie Rutledge (DL)
The Bucks were one play away from an incredible semifinal comeback and a trip to the Dome. Now, Yankton looks to get back to Vermillion for the first time in seven seasons.
QB Rugby Ryken (2,536 yards, 29 TD) returns for a final season after finishing second in passing last fall for the entire class. He’ll be joined in the backfield by Gavin Swanson (801 yards, 2 TD) and offensively by a strong WR duo in Tyler Sohler (617 yards, 8 TD) and Cody Oswald (569 yards, 12 TD).
Oswald (84 tackles) will also be a leader on the defensive end after making 4 interceptions and earning Co-DB of the Year last fall. Charlie Foote (106 total tackles) and Mac Ryken (2 INT, 5 PBU) will also help lead a squad that gave up just 19.5 ppg in 2021.
Overall, the Bucks are returning a really solid core on the offense and defensive end, and will have their sights set on Vermillion this year.
State Championships (8)- 1982, 1984, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2002, 2014, 2015
#4 Brookings Bobcats
Last Season: 7-3, Quarterfinalist
2021 All-State:
- Graduated: Hunter Gray (RB), Brock Longville (OL), Lincoln Hardin (DL), Payton Theodosopoulos (K)
The Bobcats had a really solid 2021 season, although an upset in the quarterfinals ruined their chances at a trip to the Dome.
Brookings is now looking to build off of last season, with QB Justin Cofell returning after nearly 700 yards and 9 touchdowns in the air. Jackson Hoffman is also back after making 8 catches for 102 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Tyson Brandt joins Cofell in the backfield with over 900 yards of offense and 7 touchdowns in 2021.
Defensively, Jaxton Eck is back after making 5 sacks among 65 tackles.
The Bobcats are losing some very good players like RB of the Year, Hunter Gray, but they have the pieces to put together a great season.
State Championships (2)- 1983, 2000
#5 Mitchell Kernels
Last Season: 3-7, Quarterfinalist
2021 All-State:
- Graduated: Josh Grosdidier (ATH), Joe Van Overschelde (LB)
Coming off of a 3-7 season, the Kernels are losing one of the top linebackers in the state with Joe Van Overschelde.
Mitchell will also face a tough schedule, as Pierre and Jefferson mark the opponents for weeks 3 and 5. They will have a chance to get some avengement from last season, as the Kernels host Yankton tonight, a team that eliminated them in the Quarterfinals last season.
State Championships (1)- 2016
RECEIVING VOTES
Watertown Arrows
Last Season: 3-7, Quarterfinalist
2021 All-State:
- Graduated: Cole Holden (WR), Paden Johnson (OL), Ben Althoff (DL)
Watertown is losing one of the best tacklers in the state in Ben Althoff off of senior-heavy 2021 roster, but this new version of the Arrows is looking to improve on last season.
Owen Spartz will be the top rusher returning after gaining 272 yards and 2 touchdowns on 51 carries last season, while Juven Hudson is the top receiver with 4 catches for 51 yards.
Defensively, Brock Eitreim leads the way after making 32 total tackles, including 6 TFL.
State Championships (2)- 1996, 2001
Aberdeen Central Golden Eagles
Last Season: 4-7, State Semifinalist
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Karson Carda (RB)
- Graduated: Alec Voegele (ATH), Brady Rohrbach (OL), Sam Rohlfs (ATH), Parker Bauer (DB)
The Golden Eagles are losing a really solid senior class that included Sam Rohlfs, one of the top QBs in 11AA.
Now, the Golden Eagles will look for a new group to step up. Karson Carda will headline this group after rushing for 1,108 yards an 9 touchdowns on 192 carries last fall.
Aberdeen is set to face a very tough schedule that includes Pierre and Tea Area in the first two weeks, along with a final regular season game against Lincoln. However, games like that only prepare you for the playoff run.
Sturgis Scoopers
Last Season: 3-7, Quarterfinalist
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Reese Jacobs (LB)
- Graduated: Konnor Berndt (ATH)
The Scoopers are losing some talented seniors, including 1,000 yard rusher Konner Berndt. QB Owen Cass is back, however, after throwing for 1,300 yards and 9 touchdowns, as well as LB Reese Jacobs (66 tackles).
Those two will look to be the core for this Scoopers squad, who will look for pieces to develop around their stars.
Spearfish Spartans
Last Season: 4-5
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Brady Hartwig (LB)
- Graduated: Pierce Miller (DL)
Quarterback Seth Hamilton broke this collarbone in 2021, but is back this season to help lead into the playoffs after narrowly missing out last fall.
He’ll be joined by wide receiver Brayden Delahoyde (498 yards) who caught 4 touchdowns on 30 receptions, and top rusher Bridger Niehaus (253 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, All-State LB Brady Hartwig is back after making 65 tackles, as well as Aiden Haught (56 tackles) and Caden Langenfeld (50 tackles).
State Championships (2)- 1997, 2003
THE FIELD
Huron Tigers
Last Season: 2-7
2021 All-State:
- Graduated: Ethan Remington (DL), Jayden Beck (LB)
Huron graduates two All-State players and opens the season at Tea Area tonight.
State Championships (1)- 1992
Douglas Patriots
Last Season: 0-9
One never knows how Douglas is going to matchup until the season begins, so we’ll have more information after they face Belle Fourche tonight.
State Championships (1)- 1994
