11AAA
| #1 Jefferson (9-0) vs #8 Washington (3-6) |
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| Time: 4:30, Howard Wood |
| Projection: Jefferson by 35.65 |
The Jefferson Cavaliers seem to have a date with destiny, and that fate awaits them at the DakotaDome. Until then, they will need to focus on the Washington Warriors, who were a kick away from taking down a very good BV team last week.
The Cavs have to be careful to not fall into the trap of an early Thursday game, while the Warriors defense is going to have to focus on trying to shut down that incredible big play duo of Ashley-Wilde.
| #2 O’Gorman (7-2) vs #7 Stevens (3-6) |
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| Time: 6:00, McEneaney Field |
| Projection: O’Gorman by 30.05 |
It’s certainly been an interesting season for both teams, and one that has been filled with wild games. Though the Knights have two loss, one of those came to Tea Area on a crazy tipped pass. And even with the losses, OG has shown that they can still win the close games against good team, evident by their Sep. 23rd win over Lincoln by 7, and a 4-point win last week against Harrisburg.
For Stevens, I would certainly say the momentum is starting to build in the program. They jumped out to two early wins against Washington and Douglas, and played well against BV and Lincoln before finishing off the regular season with a victory against RC Central. No matter what happens tonight, I would consider this a good season for the Raiders.
| #3 Harrisburg (7-2) vs #6 Roosevelt (3-6) |
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| Time: 6:00, Harrisburg High |
| Projection: Harrisburg by 24.79 |
Harrisburg lost a ton of talent from last season, and for many, they have exceeded expectations from the beginning of the season. The Tigers have all the respect though coming into the playoffs, and are a dangerous program that has won 26 games over the past 3 seasons.
The Rough Riders meanwhile have shown flashes of great football in the last few weeks, taking down a tough Yankton team before cruising to a victory over Stevens.
On September 23rd, Harrisburg took down Roosevelt in a 35-0 game that was at the tail-end of of a 6-game losing streak for the Rough Riders. The Tigers are going to see a different Roosevelt team tonight, so this could be a more exciting than the computer predicts.
| #4 Lincoln vs #5 Brandon Valley |
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| Time: 7:30, Howard Wood |
| Projection: Lincoln by 5.72 |
This is the most anticipated matchup in any class. The first bout was a great battle, with the Patriots taking the 34-30 victory that ended up giving them home field advantage for this matchup.
This game has other implications for the program’s as well. BV has yet to miss the semifinals in the AAA era, while Lincoln is on a 4-game win streak and has reached the semis in back-to-back seasons.
One of those streaks is going to snap, and it will all depend who controls the air. Tate Schafer has had success with a great offense that includes solid targets in Jack Smith and Isaac Jarovski. If the Lynx are going to want to win this matchup, they are going to have to stop the pass while creating some of that big play magic they have shown this season.
11AA
| #1 Pierre (9-0) vs #8 Sturgis (4-5) |
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| Time: 7:00, Hollister Field |
| Projection: Pierre by 39.15 |
It’s no secret that the Pierre Governors have dominated AA over the last half-decade, and this season has proven to be no different. The Governors haven’t lost a playoff game since Nov. 4th, 2016 against Mitchell (52-14).
The last time these two squared off was on Sept. 11th last season when Pierre won 21-6….The computer doesn’t expect a game that close.
| #2 Tea Area (8-1) vs #7 Watertown (3-6) |
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| Time: 6:00, Tea High |
| Projection: Tea Area by 37.26 |
Despite losing a good senior class to graduation, Tea is Tea, and has opened some eyes to how good the program really is with a 44-41 win over O’Gorman. They continued their success throughout the season with 38-28 road win against Yankton, and played Pierre to a 1-score game.
Therefore, it’s easy to say that this Titans team is going to be a tough one to stop on their way to the Dome. That option offense headlined by Chase Van Tol is going to tough for any defense. Expect this to have little or no passing, as Juven Hudson has been getting close to or over 30 carries a game for Watertown.
| #3 Aberdeen (5-4) vs #6 Spearfish (4-5) |
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| Time: 6:00, Gene Brownell Complex |
| Projection: Aberdeen by 17.47 |
The Golden Eagles got hot in the middle part of the season, concluding with a 20-3 win over Brookings, and a 29-7 victory against Yankton in the River City. Those wins clinched them a home playoff, something we haven’t seen since their stellar run in 2009.
Aberdeen has really shown success as of late, and look to reach the semifinals for a second straight year. To do so, they will have to take down a Spearfish Spartans team that is coming off a rivalry win over Sturgis last Thursday.
These two haven’t face off since 2005, so they are a little unfamiliar to say the least, but Aberdeen’s run game looks to be the key in this one.
| #4 Yankton (5-4) vs #5 Brookings (5-4) |
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| Time: 7:00, Crane-Youngworth Field |
| Projection: Yankton by 10.06 |
Yankton versus Brookings always seems to be an exciting game, and this one looks like it will be no different.
The Bucks faced a brutal mid-season run of a schedule that feature losses to Pierre, Tea Area, Roosevelt and Aberdeen. But in the middle of that was a win against Brookings that clinched them a home playoff spot. It’s worth noting that Yankton’s win over Brookings was their first in their matchup since 2016, but the Bucks have made the semifinals for the past 2 seasons.
Rugby Ryken had an excellent performance against Huron last week, and the senior QB will be important for a Bucks victory, along with a senior WR duo in Cody Oswald and Tyler Sohler. If they can connect on some good passes, that’s going to open up the run game.
The key for both teams is going to be that run game. Israel Caldron has ran the ball well for the Bobcats, totaling 738 of Brookings 1,584 yards on the ground. Whether or not the Bobcats get the run could be the difference maker in this one.
11A
| #1 Dell Rapids (9-0) vs #8 Lennox (3-6) |
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| Time: 7:00, Dell Rapids High |
| Projection: Dell Rapids by 22.66 |
In all the chaos that has been 11A this season, the Quarriers have quietly worked their way to an undefeated season, and rightfully earning the top-seed. If Dells wins tonight, it would make for their first 10-win season since 2014. They already come into this game with lots of momentum, taking down a tough Dakota Valley team by 4 last week.
Lennox, meanwhile, is coming off of a 5-game losing streak, but is still looking for their first semifinal appearance since 2019. Defensive discipline is going to be key, as the Quarriers utilize a tough run-based offense that requires their opponent’s to execute their assignments.
| #2 West Central (8-1) vs #7 Madison (4-5) |
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| Time: 7:00, Uttecht Stadium |
| Projection: West Central by 10.35 |
The historical dominant Trojans didn’t shy away from a tough schedule this season, lining up against a great Winner team on the road in early October. It’s those tough games that prepare you for the playoffs, and the Trojans are going to another tough matchup tonight against Madison.
The last time these two faced off was on Sep. 16th at Dakota State, with the Trojans taking home a 28-25 victory.
Madison certainly has the experience after winning a state championship last season, and currently has won 2 of their last 3 games they played. It will be interesting to see if their “bye” last week will play any factor, as the Bulldogs haven’t seen the field a loss to Vermillion 13 days ago.
Either way, you don’t get to see two many #2 vs #7 matchups predicted this close, but Class 11A has been crazy this year.
| #3 Beresford (7-2) vs #6 Canton (5-4) |
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| Time: 7:00, Beresford |
| Projection: Beresford by 4.01 |
It’s been an impressive season for Beresford, who moved up to Class 11A and still performed admirably. The Watchdogs aren’t without any successful experience, however, as they reached the 11B semifinals last year and won 7 games.
Canton, meanwhile, has played every team in 11A to a close game, no matter the opponent. In their last matchup Beresford took home a 7-6 victory that say no scoring in the second half.
Expect another close game in this one, as Canton has the confidence and the experience (2020 State Runner-Ups) to pull off an upset.
| #4 SFC (6-3) vs #5 Dakota Valley (6-3) |
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| Time: 7:00, Bob Young Field |
| Projection: SFC by 5.95 |
A game where destinies collide, SFC and Dakota Valley has the makings of a stellar matchup.
First, neither team has reached the semifinals since 2018, when SFC completed their back-to-back title run. Dakota Valley went 1-8 last season, and has completely turned the tides with a solid 2022 campaign. They lost Dells and Beresford by a combined total of 6 points to end the season, but took home four straight victories in the middle half of the year.
SFC had the edge in the regular season with a 24-14 win, but it’s tough to beat a good team twice. This game should come down to the wire.
11B
| #1 Winner (9-0) vs #8 Deuel (8-1) |
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| Time: 6:00, Winner High |
| Projection: Winner by 21.62 |
If you want to beat the Warriors, you have to be disciplined. With their triple-option offense, teams have little time to prepare for best machine in South Dakota.
Deuel, however, has played well throughout the entire season, only losing 14-7 against Roncalli in August. However, I’m not sure if any schedule can prepare you for the Warriors, who haven’t lost a game since November 15th, 2019.
| #2 Roncalli (9-0) vs #7 Hot Springs (7-2) |
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| Time: 6:00, Dacotah Bank Stadium |
| Projection: Roncalli by 7.62 |
Roncalli has quietly put together two excellent regular seasons winning 15 games in that time. Last season, they lost in this round to Beresford by 1, so they certainly have some motivation to finish business this season.
Their foe this time around, the Hot Springs Bison, is no slouch themselves. They have giving up 1 touchdown since September 16th, and have held every 11B opponent to 14 points or less. Roncalli, meanwhile, has made their money on a offense that has reached 70 points, and has only scored less than 20 once all season.
It’s also worth noting that Roncalli has giving up just 25 points all season themselves, so we are about to see two great defenses battle it out at Northern State.
| #3 EP-J (9-0) vs #11 Redfield (6-3) |
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| Time: 6:00, EP-J High |
| Projection: EP-J by 34.09 |
No team has been as dominant as the Huskies of Elk Point-Jefferson, who have averaged 48.9 ppg and allowed just 3.9 ppg. I’m not sure there is any stat that could open your eyes to just how good the Huskies have been this season if those numbers don’t make you say “wow!”
Redfield meanwhile, is the underdogs of 11-man, the only double-digit seed remaining in the entire state. They got here with a 7-6 win over W/WS/SC, and the Pheasants certainly have their work cut out for them.
However, Redfield hasn’t been blown out in any of their losses this year, also playing close games with their opponents. Could we see another run similar to Beresford’s in 2021?
| #4 MV/P (8-1) vs #5 MC/M (8-1) |
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| Time: 7:00, Mount Vernon High |
| Projection: MC/M by 3.69 |
The marquee matchup of 11B, two of the best teams in the state will battle it out. Both just have 1 loss to very good teams, Winner and EP-J, while dominating much of the rest of their schedule.
The computer is calling for a slight upset for McCook Central/Montrose, but anything could happen in what is expected to be a stellar game.