PRESEASON RANKINGS
Note: Teams whose coach declined to respond are listed with last year’s record at the bottom of the page.
SFC Chargers
Last Year: 14-0-0, State Champions
2021 All-State: Matt Bird, Eli Gillet, Tyson Reitsma
When you talk about soccer dominance in the state of South Dakota, you talk about two teams: SFC and Tea Area.
SFC currently has the upper hand, winning back to back championships and while completing an undefeated season. The Chargers lose a trio of All-State players including Gatorade POY Tyson Reitsma, but senior Tark Griebel (3 goals, 7 ast.), juniors Elijah Anema (7 goals, 5 ast.) and Cameron Schock (5 goals, 3 ast.), along with sophomores Emerson Brazones (11 goals, 7 assists) and Jude vanDonkersgoed return from the starting lineup.
In 2021, the Chargers gave up less than a goal a game, and averaged over 6 goals themselves. Those numbers and state championships are hard to maintain, but SFC has a ton of talent ready to make a run at the 3-peat.
State Champions: 2012, 2015, 2020, 2021
Tea Area Titans
Last Year: 10-3-2, State Runner-Up
2021 All-State: Ryan Del Monaco, Ean Minnaert, Alex Pies
State Champions: 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019
The only team with a 3-peat in their history will look to keep the Chargers from completing the same feat. 3 senior All-State players will be tough to replace, but the Titans have proven they are one of the top programs in the state.
Senior Tobin Hoffman (4 goals, 16 ast.) is the top scorer returning from last year, while junior duo Ashdan Farrell (7 goals, 9 ast.) and Ivan Zamora (8 goals, 4 ast.) will look to help take on a bigger role this year.
The Titans do return a ton of experience along with those three, as senior Nick Loof, juniors Peyton Edmonds and Carter Uhler, sophomores Jon Schlunsen and Carson Hall, along with freshman Gavin Reiners, played in at least 10 games from last year.
With that much talent returning, the Titans are easily a favorite to reach the title match again.
Belle Fourche Broncs
Last Year: 7-6-0, Semifinalist
2021 All-State: Hunter Cherveny, Tristin Hendricks
The Broncs are returning a ton of starters, but lose both of their All-State players from last year. Belle Fourche will now be lead by seniors Bayden Carbajal (D) and Anthony Staley (D). They will also look to provide a solid defense with freshman goalkeeper Josh Brill defending the net.
Junior Cody Foos (D), sophomores Drake Sutter (F), Isaac Voyles (MF), Darian Pesika (MF), and freshmen Griffen Biehl (MF) will be back as well from last season’s starting lineup. Overall, the Broncs are going to have to replace two talents, but this is a team that should be ranked all season.
Vermillion Tanagers
Last Year: 4-5-1, Quarterfinalist
2021 All-State: Hari Kadarkaraisamy
Top scorer Hari Kadarkaraisamy is gone, but a very young team from last year returns a lot of experience. Sophomore Michael Roob is the top returner with 7 goals in his freshman campaign, while juniors Tayden Wells (6 goals, 1 ast.) and Varun Kadarkaraisamy (5 goals, 3 ast.) will look to replace those goals from last year.
The Tanagers are also returning their keeper in senior Sully Gautier (26 saves), as well as a ton of starters with senior Brady Seiner, juniors Henry Anderson, Joel Dahlhoff, Joaquin Dominguez, and sophomore James Nissen back this fall.
Vermillion may not have had a winning record in 2021, but be sure that this program is on the rise for the next couple of years.
James Valley Christian Vikings
Last Year: 1-8-2
2021 wasn’t the best season for the Vikings, but JVC return will former coach Jory Wipf back at the helm. The Vikings will be lead by a senior trio of Landon Wager, Brennan Hood, and Gary Lee Scholl. Junior goalkeeper Isaac Korell will also be headlining the defense.
Hot Springs Bison
Last Year: 0-8-0
It’s be a long process for the Bison, but improvements have been made by the Hot Springs program over the last two years. Now, they are hoping to get in the win column. Captains Maggie Preuss and Luke Haertel will look to lead Hot Springs this season.
Custer Wildcats
Last Year: N/A
Custer will participate with a co-ed team. According to the Rapid City Journal, the Wildcats are expected to have about 26 students on the roster. The Wildcats have 6 games on their schedule according to Varsity Bound, with matches against Freeman Academy (8/20), St. Thomas More (8/23), Hot Springs (8/25), Freeman Academy (9/10), Hot Springs (9/13) and Belle Fourche (9/22).
Dakota Valley Panthers
Last Year: N/A
Another team who did not play last season, the Panthers with play a full 2022 schedule after their girl’s team reach the state championship. Dakota Valley will play vs Tea Area (8/18), @ Freeman Academy (8/27), vs Vermillion (9/1), @ West Central (9/8), @ Tea Area (9/10), vs SFC (9/17), @ Vermillion (9/22), vs James Valley Christian (9/24) and @ West Central (9/29).
OTHER TEAMS:
St. Thomas More Cavaliers
Last Year: 9-4-1, Semifinalist
2021 All-State: Aaron Nelson, Tom Solono
Groton Area Tigers
Last Year: 3-6-2, Quarterfinalist
State Champions: 2014
Freeman Academy Bobcats
Last Year: 2-4-1
