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- Yankton 5-1
The Mors led Bucks are playing well with the supporting cast figuring out their role. And with their talent and playmaking ability, it’s interesting that the media poll didn’t give them #1. We think they are trying to go through all the undefeated teams first before giving a 1-loss team the top spot, but this isn’t college football. Yankton is just better.
Tough games:
Jan 5 @ SC East
Jan 11 @ #1 SF Washington
2- Dakota Valley 5-0
Class A favorite has athletes on the floor. UND commit Paul Bruns leads the way, but future star and little brother Isaac is right behind him. Like TK said in his blog yesterday, Dakota Valley has the top duo in the state with these two incredible players, and the Panthers can play with anyone in the state.
Tough games:
Jan 5 vs Sgt. Bluff
Jan 28 vs SF Christian
Feb 9 @ Vermillion
3- Mitchell 5-0
Mitchell has turned the corner and Coach Nueundorf’s team has learned how to win the close games. They are led by the 2 “bigs” 6’6 Hinker and 6’10 Alm, and while this may be our boldest take yet, we think this is where they belong right now. Who has the height and talent to match these guys right now? Yankton with Mors, or maybe Sioux Falls Washington? We know it’s early and their opponents record in South Dakota hasn’t been great, but they took down two really good Wyoming teams. Wake up to the Kernels, and hey, if we are proven wrong in a few weeks, we will own up to it. But Mitchell is #3 as we speak.
Tough games:
Jan 19 vs Brandon @ Corn Palace
Feb 11- Feb 26: last 6 games of the year will truly test the Kernals, all 6 will be great games.
4- SF Washington 3-0
New Class AA #1 has it rolling thru their 1st 3 games. Great miracle finish (catch and basket by possible future power 5 left/right tackle Meidema) against city rival Roosevelt could spur this bunch to great things this year. Washington has done a great job, and could bump Mitchell if they win these next two games against Roosevelt and Yankton. Heck, could even bounce to #1…It’s early!
Tough games:
Jan 8 @ Roosevelt (Rematch)
Jan 11 vs #2 Yankton
5- Harrisburg 5-0
Had a great win vs LeMars IA on Dec 22, rest of schedule hasn’t been tough, but just win baby. After the two city games we will know if they are for real. And I know what your thinking “How can you give Mitchell the benefit of the doubt and not Harrisburg?” Well, Mitchell has height that literally has not proven it can be stopped. Again, two big wins in the next month and we could see Harrisburg rise.
Tough games:
Jan 19 @ Roosevelt
Jan 21 @ SF Washington
6- Sioux Valley 7-0
Well coached team, as seen by the great buzzer beater in the Pentagon vs Tea on Jan 2. Big win vs DeSmet on New Year’s Eve. A Class A final vs Dakota Valley would be a fun watch.
Tough games:
Feb 4 @ Flandreau
7- Brandon Valley 3-1
A minor setback Dec 22 vs SF Lincoln shouldn’t hurt the Lynx. A big 2 point win on Dec 18 in Brandon over Yankton proved this team has the potential to win it all. The only factor that hurts Brandon Valley is their limited ability to guard a true post. They did an okay job of trying to stop Mors, but no one is going to really stop him. They matched up well with Yankton because Yankton also does not have a true post, but they could have trouble with Washington and Mitchell’s lineups.
Tough games:
Jan 9 @ Pentagon vs Houston TN
Jan 16 vs Roosevelt
Jan 19 @ Mitchell
8- Howard 5-0
The 1st Class B team. Howard looks like the real deal. DWU commit Aslesen is a dude. A great win in the Palace vs White River let all of Class B know they are for real. Schedule is somewhat soft until the DeSmet game.
Tough games:
Jan 12 @ DeSmet
Jan 19 vs Hanson
9- DeSmet 5-1
Could argue they should be ahead of Howard, but the Bulldogs get to prove it Jan. 12. Their only setback was against #6 Sioux Valley Dec 31 in Volga. Class B preseason player of the year Kalen Garry leads this talented Bulldog group.
Tough games:
Jan 12 vs #8 Howard
Jan 16 vs Canistota
10- Vermillion 4-0
Vermillion just slides under the radar of Class A. They haven’t been tested yet, but that will change in the next few weeks. Two words…Dark Horse.
Tough games:
Jan 21 vs SF Christian
Jan 28 vs Dell Rapids
Feb 9 vs #3 Dakota Valley
Receiving votes by class:
AA
SF Roosevelt- Too talented to not be mentioned, they will be here in the end.
Aberdeen- Play RC Central this weekend, winner in the top 10.
RC Central- See Aberdeen.
A
Dell Rapids
Flandreau
SF Christian
Winner
B
Platte-Geddes
Canistota
Lemmon
