It’s good to be back!
The first week of South Dakota football was exciting, and I’m happy to share my thoughts on the games with you. I am going to bounce around, provide insight on a few topics around the state and just generally have a good time. Today, I am going to spew random thoughts on games throughout the state.
11B
B-E/E vs. Sioux Valley
I was extremely impressed by the quality of the B-E/E vs. Sioux Valley game. It’s a game that most states can even dream of, a #2 vs. #3 in week 0, and it didn’t disappoint. What amazed me was the ability of both teams to keep attacking even after the next team hit them with a punch in the mouth.
I thought the biggest play of the game was Koby Kayser’s run 80-yard touchdown run with just 8 minutes to go. Flipping the field to take the lead completely changes the game. Therefore, you have to give some credit to Parker Puetz and the Cossacks to respond back on the swing pass. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t their day. My absolute favorite part of the game though? The final play.
How often does a game this important end in a heave to the endzone? Well, for the Seahawks, that’s 2 straight games! In last season’s championship, Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan fell just a few yards short of a state championship. This time, they were on the right side of the play.
Roncalli vs. STM
Wow, how about a punch to the mouth right there. This game should have a cool name, a.k.a. “The Conquest” and SHOULD be played every year. Make it a rivarly game…South Dakota needs more of that.
Back to the game, the Roncalli Cavaliers opened up the season with a huge win, and made me think about how good this Cavaliers team actually is. Top 5? Most definitely. But it might take some time to get into those top 5 rankings.
Rankings
Speaking of rankings, I think the media poll for 11B is fairly accurate. Winner had a dominate victory, and so you can’t drop them lower, while B-E/E and Sioux Valley should hold their spots. Elk Point-Jefferson sits at #5, but don’t be surprised if the Cavaliers jump into the rankings.
9AA
#1 Platte-Geddes vs. #2 Canistota/Freeman
Platte-Geddes is stacked. Case closed, they are best team in 9-man football this year, any class. So I was a little surprised that their game against Canistota/Freeman was so low scoring.
I take that back, Canistota/Freeman is known for their defense, and has good defense year-in-and-year-out. So I shouldn’t be suprised that is was low scoring. But we did see the #1 offense vs #1 defense in the state, in my humble opinion, so I think I was just expecting the Black Panthers to run away with it offensively. Give credit to the Pride, they have a good defense. But they do have to replace a lot of talent on the offensive end this season. Those things take time. Are they proven winners and can win at a high level? Of course, and I don’t suspect that the Pride drop below #3 at any point in the season, as they are an excellently coached team.
As for the Black Panthers, sheesh, they are good. Like really, really good. I don’t know what else to say except that they are the team to beat this season.
Garretson vs. Viborg-Hurley
In all honesty, I had the graphic for “GAME OF THE NIGHT” ready to go with the Black Panthers and the Pride…but then this game happened. Talk about an exciting back-and-forth game!!
Hayden Gilbert is really going to shine this season for the Cougars, and I felt as though last year, he was thought of around the state as a second option behind Angel Johnson. But no more! The kick return extraordinaire is now one of the best threats in the state, and is going to be really tough to guard.
As for Garretson, good for them. This is a great win that the team and the community can build off of. There is nothing more exciting than seeing a community embrace their players, and this weekend was special for the Blue Dragons. Now, let’s see if they can use this momentum and continue to climb up the rankings.
9A
De Smet vs. Wolsey-Wessington
De Smet’s Wide Receiver group is something else. Wow, someone call Class 9A and tell ’em, if you don’t have a good secondary, GOOD LUCK!
Kalen Garry and Rett Othmus had 2 incredible touchdown catches, and the whole team seemed to sneak into the secondary. Colt Wilkinson is going to nearly be able to pick who he wants for a touchdown pass this season, and if any team wants to stop De Smet, it’s going to have to take control of the long ball.
The Bulldogs also almost ran away this game before the Warbirds really started to climb in the 2nd half. First game nerves? The stadium? Just needed to shake off some rust? Possibly all 3, but I think that the Warbirds are a really talented team. Marty Gohn is talented QB and wide receiver Jemetrius Scott is a great option. Wolsey-Wessington is probably going to have a shot at the De Smet again, this time though, it may be at the other University.
9B
Rankings & DRSM
I was talking to a friend about 20 minutes before the DRSM/Gayville-Volin game and said that I think Gayville-Volin actually had a chance to win the game. Well, not only did they win the game, THEY DOMINATED.
The Raiders were impressive and Kyle Hirsch had a catch that I have only seen one other player complete (Odell Beckham, Jr.). But even without the dominant play, the Raiders looked relaxed while DRSM seemed rushed and out of order. Don’t be surprised if the Cardinals still make a deep run this season, but they definitely just need to get some more confidence if their abilities. They are a good team, so don’t think we won’t be seeing the last of them this year.
With the DRSM loss, I was curious to see where these teams would stack up. Harding County is definitely #1, and everyone else just took the next place up. Now in the new rankings with Gayville-Volin at #5, it’s time to see how legit the Raiders really are, as they have the #3 toughest schedule in 9B. (Note: They are really good.)
EXTRA POINT
Volleyball starts this week, and we are going to expand on our coverage of the sport. So be on the lookout for highlights, games of the week, upsets of the week and more.
Tomorrow’s Blog: Is 6-Man Football the Future?
This article was written by TK.
