Staff Previews are put together by various members of the Digital Z South Dakota Staff and do not represent any one member of the site.
We decided to make a Top 10, regardless of Class or the Media Poll. It has our biggest hot takes to date, so be sure to give it a read through.
1- Washington 6-0
The Warriors picked up the big victory against Yankton that solidified their spot at #1. Otherwise, they still haven’t played a very difficult schedule. They will stay at #1 as long as they keep winning, but two big games against Harrisburg and Brandon Valley will be key games as we end January.
Tough games:
Jan 21 vs Harrisburg
Jan 26 vs Brandon Valley
2- Dakota Valley 7-0
Just keep winning. They have the most dominate one-two punch in the state and Chayce Montagne is another talented player on this roster. It could be tough to get to the #1 spot, but the Panthers are in a great position
Tough games:
Jan 28 vs SF Christian
Feb 9 @ Vermillion
3- Harrisburg 6-0
Another solid and undefeated team, Harrisburg has some big games to really see where they are a team. A 19-point win over Western Christian gives them some good credit, but they are still looking for a signature win. That could come against Washington on the 21st.
Tough games:
Jan 21 @ Washington
Jan 30 @ RC Central
4- Mitchell 7-0
The Kernels are a solid team and tonight’s matchup against SF Christian will be huge. Haven’t heard with the weather on if this game gets cancelled, but if not, this is the Kernels biggest game to date!
Tough games:
Jan 15 vs SF Christian
Jan 19 vs Brandon Valley
5- Brandon Valley 4-2
The loss against Lincoln really hurts them, and they took a 29-point loss to a strong Houston (TN) team. They need a win against Roosevelt and probably Mitchell to move up anywhere higher in the rankings.
Tough games:
Jan 19 @ Mitchell
Jan 26 @ Washington
6- Yankton 7-2
The Bucks dropped a big game against Washington, but again, the Bucks struggled to hit the big shots. That will be the key if they want to reach the state championship, because the top of Class AA is very good.
Tough games:
Jan 16 vs Aberdeen Central
7- Sioux Valley 11-0
The Cossacks are the toughest team in Class A, and are looking to keep their great season going against Flandreau.
Tough games:
Feb 4 @ Flandreau
Feb 13 vs Parker
8- De Smet 8-1
A big win over Howard for the top team in Class B knocks the Tigers out of the rankings, and guarantees the Bulldogs a spot in the top 10. Tough to move them up with so many great teams in the classes above them. Another big game against Canistota tomorrow.
Tough games:
Jan 16 vs Canistota
9- Vermillion 6-0
Not really any big wins to their name, but a solid win over Viborg-Hurley at the Corn Palace. If Sioux Falls Christian knocks off Dakota Valley and Vermillion takes down the Chargers, that could send Vermillion up higher.
Tough games:
Jan 21 vs SF Christian
Jan 28 vs Dell Rapids
10- Aberdeen Central 5-1
Moving into the rankings is the Golden Eagles. They suffered a tough loss on the road to Stevens, but have a big game tomorrow against Yankton. There is a couple teams sneaking towards the rankings, so they need a big win or a very close loss to Yankton.
Tough games:
Jan 16 @ Yankton
Jan 29 vs Brandon Valley
“Near The Rankings” by class:
AA
RC Central
A
SF Christian
Mobride-Pollock
B
Platte-Geddes
Elkton-Lake Benton
