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 500 yards last season.
- Defensively, 50 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!
Harrisburg Tigers
Last Season: 12-0, State Champions
2021 All-State-
- Returning: Gavin Ross (RB)
- Graduated: Jacob Knuth (QB), Lincoln Carlson (WR), Jordan Larson (OL), Mason Jacobson (OL), Ayden Viox (DL), Cade Larson (LB), Carter Bahrenfuss (DB), Bryce Soli (K)
Last year’s Harrisburg team was a fun one to cover. They just had so much talent across the field and in all dimensions of the game, that there was almost no worry that they were going to lose on the way to a state championship. Now, the Tigers will try to repeat there run to the dome, albeit without a star-studded lineup.
Gone is All-State and D1 college commits in Jacob Knuth (11AAA POY, Minnesota), Cade Larson (11AAA LB of the Year, Minnesota), Jordan Larson (USD), Josh Larson (USD), Bryce Soli (11AAA K of the Year, Bryant), Lincoln Carlson (Augustana), Ayden Viox (Northern State wrestling) and Carter Bahrenfuss (11AAA Co-DB of the Year, uncommitted). There were also about a half-dozen more players that were notable in this class. That is an unbelievably talented group that will surely be missed.
As for All-Starters returning, Gavin Ross looks to lead the way. The 11AAA RB of the Year finished with 1,911 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, good enough to lead the class in both categories. He’s a very tough runner who’s also able to bounce out and catch a pass, as evidenced by 17 receptions and 3 touchdowns in his junior campaign. WR Tyton Tryon is also the top returning receiver after catching 15 passes for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Defensively, Jack Detert will be a leader at linebacker. The senior finished with 59 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and 7 sacks last season, and is a hard-hitting threat. He will be joined by DB Tim Bishop (51 tackles) and DB Nick Chan (2 INT).
If I had to give a final thought to what I think this Harrisburg team is going to be, I would give them a “?” It’s so tough to tell how new players will react to the friday night lights, and sometimes these teams really find their stride the last few games of the season. Time will tell for the Tigers, but they return some really good players with championship experience.
State Championships (5)- 1984 (B), 1993 (B), 1997 (B), 1999 (B), 2021
Brandon Valley Lynx
Last Season: 10-2, State Runner-Ups
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Navarro Schunke (OL)
- Graduated: Peyton Carroll (TE), Jordan Johnson (RB), Kyler Briest (ATH), Christian Jepperson (DL), Ryan Doll (LB), Noah Thompson (DB), Zach Brummels (KR)
The Lynx were probably the most interesting team to watch last season. Except for a blow-out victory over Mitchell, they really didn’t go out and win these dominant games. They did, however, played some really tough defense, holdings teams to a state best 16 ppg. That defense helped them come out victorious in a lot of close games and repeat a trip to the dome.
Now, the Lynx will have to show some moxy again this season, after losing 7 All-State players. In fact, the only returning All-State player is Offensive Lineman Navarro Schunke.
Schunke is arguably the top lineman coming into this season, holding offers from Coastal Carolina, Nebraska, Pittsburg and SDSU. He’s also a 3 time state champion wrestler and is only heading into his junior season. Behind him, QB duo Lucas Slack and Jack Thue will look to lead the offense. Slack lead with 957 yards and 4 touchdowns on 76-142 passing, while Thue completed 33 passes in 47 tries for 505 yards and 3 touchdowns. Joining that duo in the backfield is Payton Egan, who rushed for 556 yards and 6 touchdowns, while catching 30 passes for 452 yards in his junior year.
Defensively, the Lynx are losing 7 players with 50+ tackles to graduation. In fact, they are losing their top 9 tacklers from last season, with senior DB Tristan Bisbee and junior DL Thomas Risty being the top returners at 28 tackles each. Bisbee had 8 pass breakups and 2 INTs last season, but the Lynx are going to need a lot of players to step up into big roles this season.
Brandon is going to have some returning players that are going to compete well, and it always helps when you have your Quarterback/s have experience. I’m going to put up another question mark for this team, because again, we really don’t know how new players are going to react, but this is another team with experience in Vermillion and the toughness to win close games.
State Championships (8)- 1984 (A), 1985 (A), 1988 (A), 1989, 1990, 1998, 2018, 2020
O’Gorman Knights
Last Season: 6-5, State Semifinalists
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Ryland Satter (RB), Bennett Dannebring (ATH)
- Graduated: David Alphers III (DL), Manny Struck (DB)
I think this O’Gorman team has as much potential as any other team in this class. Bennett Dannebring brings back the biggest numbers from last season, throwing for 2,475 yards and 23 touchdowns. That was the most passing yards in the state, and the second most touchdowns. As always, a top quarterback is a crucial piece to have, and it’s one that the Knights bring to the table this season.
Dannebring’s top 2 targets return as well in Peyton Hage (39 receptions, 679 yards, 10 touchdowns) and All-State RB Ryland Satter (33 receptions, 518 yards, 6 touchdowns). RB Maverick Jones brings another dimension to the table after rushing for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021.
Defensively, 11AAA DL of the Year David Alphers III is gone, as well as All-State DB Manny Struck. They also had some other talented pieces to graduation, although Henry Theobald (2 INTs) is back to roam the secondary.
Purely based off of returning talent, O’Gorman looks to be 1 of the 3 teams that are anyone’s favorites to reach the dome. I’m excited to see an electric offense return to the gridiron, with Dannebring and co. looking to capitalize on their final season.
State Championships (8)- 1981, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993, 2004, 2005, 2019
Lincoln Patriots
Last Season: 6-5, State Semifinalists
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Sam Hindbjorgen (TE), Elliot Renville (OL), Gabe Guiterrez (LB)
- Graduated: Jackson Geerts (DL), Kobe Lage (LB)
This is another team that returns a ton of talent this fall. The offense will be lead by Tate Schaeffer, who threw for 2,263 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Jack Smith was his top option last season with 721 yards and 7 touchdowns, while Angel Jurshge looks to eclipse 1,000 yards after rushing for 988 and 10 scores in 2021. And all of those aforementioned players will be helped by All-State Offensive Linemen Elliot Renville.
All-State 2-way options Sam Hindbjorgen (TE/DL) and Gabe Guiterrez (RB/LB) return as well. Hindbjorgen, although an All-State TE, had 10 sacks on the defensive end and will look to continue to be a menace this season. Guiterrez, meanwhile, is arguably the top returning LB from last season in this class. He will be joined by LB Taven Clapper (54 tackles), DB Tyree Shorter (51 tackles) and DB Ethan Wasmund (4 INT) in a Pat’s defense that will surely cause troubles for opposing QBs.
Lincoln’s bringing back a lot of talent this fall, and will have their sights set on the Dome in 2022.
State Championships (3)- 2008, 2013, 2014
Roosevelt Rough Riders
Last Season: 5-5, State Quarterfinalists
2021 All-State:
- Graduated: Joe Cotton (OL), Matt Goehring (LB)
The Rough Riders are another team that has to do some rebuilding coming into this season. They lose RB Nelson Wright to Jefferson this season, and two All-State seniors in Joe Cotton (OL) and Matt Goehring (LB).
However, enough talk about what they lost, let’s talk about what they have. QB Jackson Brouwer returns again this season after throwing for nearly 2,000 yards (1,936). Roosevelt is going to look for Brouwer to improve on that mark as well as his 16 touchdowns, half of which went to Jaxsen Grevengoed (724 yards, 8 Touchdowns).
This is another team, similar to Brandon Valley and Harrisburg, that returns a couple proven pieces, but is going to need some talented newcomers to step into important roles this season.
State Championships (3)- 2006, 2007, 2011
Washington Warriors
Last Season: 5-5, State Quarterfinalists
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Abraham Meyers (DL)
- Graduated: Josh Piper (WR), Aiden Brink (OL), Gabe Frerichs (ATH),Matthew Agyeman (DB)
Another team that lost a great senior class, this 2022 version of the Warriors is looking for Elijah Taniah to have a big season. Taniah ran for 13 touchdowns and 925 yards last season, and will look for even more carries this year after the graduation of his brother, Blessing.
The rest of skills positions on offense will be fairly new, as QB Max Thompson, WR Tommy Peterson, and WR Josh Piper are gone to graduation. Senior Shemezimana Jackson was the only returner to record a stat at QB last season, while junior Gabriel Canter was listed on the roster at the playcalling position as well.
Defensively, recent NDSU commit and All-State DL Abraham Meyers headlines this group after getting 5 1/2 sacks last season. He is joined by junior LB Mason Wilson (10 TFL), who made a solid impact last fall. In the secondary, Kaden Schmidt and Tryg Auten both grabbed 2 picks in 2021, and are looking to only expand on that total.
State Championships (6)- 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017
Jefferson Cavaliers
Last Season: 4-6, State Quarterfinalists
2021 All-State:
- Returning: Nelson Wright (RB), Griffin Wilde (WR), Taylen Ashley (ATH), London Kolb (DB)
It’s easy to look at a losing record in 2021 and dismiss the Cavaliers.
But that would be a foolish idea.
Jefferson returns arguably the most talent in the state, and will look to make a run at the dome in just their second year of existence. QB Taylen Ashley, who was injured for part of last season, still threw for 1,850 yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior campaign. He will still be looking for top target Griffin Wilde, a recent SDSU commit and our 2021 11AAA WR of the Year, who caught 12 touchdowns last fall.
Roosevelt transfer RB Nelson Wright (1,080 yards) looks to compliment the air game, and gives the Cavaliers an offensive edge that will be tough to stop.
Defensively, 2021 11AAA Co-DB of the Year, London Kolb, looks to lead the way. Another recent commit to USF, he had 63 solo tackles along with 2 forced fumbles and an INT last season. Beau Giblin (90 tackles, 1 INT), Cohen Henry (2 INT), and Dawson Sechser (39 tackles, 2 INT), are also all returning as defensive backs.
Meanwhile, linebacker duo Tayten Sanow (55 tackles) and Tyler Horner (43 tackles, 5 sacks, 7 TFL) will join a defensive core that has the potential to be really good.
Put this team together and you may very well be looking at the best team in the state. Time will tell for the Jefferson Cavaliers, but rest assured, this is a team you don’t want on your schedule.
Stevens Raiders
Last Season: 3-7
Any team, any year, all you can ask for is improvement.
And Stevens stepped up last season, taking down Roosevelt, Sturgis, and RC Central in 2021. All three wins were in Rapid last year, but I think that gives us all the more reason to take note of the Raiders.
Washington, Harrisburg, Lincoln and Jefferson are all taking road trips to the Black Hills this season. Not to forget mention, but the Raiders also have Central and Douglas on the schedule for this year. For those Sioux Falls schools, that trip across the state can lead to fatigue if teams are not prepared, and the Raiders can turn that into wins.
For the offense, QB Jed Jenson returns after throwing for 1,785 yards and 16 touchdowns in his junior campaign. Defensively, Corter Doney is the top returning defender with 49 tackles in 2021.
If the Raiders are able to improve defensively after giving up the 2nd most ppg in the state last season, one could definitely see the Raiders continue on the rise up.
State Championships (1)- 1987
Central Cobblers
Last Season: 1-8
The Cobblers lose their top playmaker from last season in Lane Darrow, who rushed for 5 touchdowns and returned 2 kicks to the house. QB Ryan Wetch will now look to lead an offense that will replace some of that playmaking ability.
Defensively, Central has a solid duo in LB Jaxon Fairchild (67 tackles) and SDSU Commit Will Paepke (DE, 34 tackles).
We’re always looking for improvement from teams, and are excited to see the growth this team has from 2021.
