Back-to-back in Class 9B has been a athletes of
theweek one reason
each finalist can win a state football championship
tough task
performance propels Augie football in Key to the City triumph
Back-to-back in Class 9B has been a
toughtask
No team has repeated in the class since Kimball in 2004
BY BLAKE DURHAM | MITCHELL REPUBLIC
Repeating as a state high school football champion is tough enough to accomplish in South Dakota. In Class 9B football, it’s been next to impossible.
From the beginning of the playoff era in the state for football in 1981, a team has been able to successfully defend the state championship three times in the class after winning the title the previous year, and no team has pulled off the feat since 2004, when Kimball defended its 2003 crown.
Since the Kiotes’ triumph, only twice has a team had the chance to repeat as Class 9B champions. Hitchcock-Tulare was triumphant over Dell Rapids St. Mary in 2009, but lost the championship game the following year to Canistota in 2010. Langford Area won in 2015, but came up short in 2016.
The simple yet layered explanation as to why it’s been difficult to execute a successful title defense is an old adage: strength in numbers.
“The core of your team needs to be older kids because of the physical nature of football,” said Bon Homme head coach Tom Culver, who previously coached in the Class 9B ranks at Avon, winning a pair of state championships in the class.
“If you have a big class that graduates and your junior class only three or four football players, you’re probably going to struggle a little bit that next year,” he added, “Even though you may have some talented younger kids there, they’re just sometimes not quite physically ready to be at a caliber to win a state championship.”
The Avon football team celebrates on the field after winning the Class 9B state championship on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
The story continues below.
The numbers game has proven to have its advantages, given the lower roster sizes in Class 9B compared to the other nine-man ranks. The average roster size this season among 22 teams in the class is approximately 22 players, with Avon and Sully Buttes topping the class with 31 players listed on their respective rosters. Those were two of the final eight teams, with the Chargers reaching the Dome. Their opponent, Faulkton Area, has 28 players.
In addition to having more options to fill positions, it also allows teams to fully develop the younger players on the team to eventually take over the roles vacated by graduating seniors. However, filling positions on the team and building a winning culture rooted in tradition can be hard to maintain with fluctuations in roster size.
“It’s hard to maintain that consistency from year to year just because the numbers that you have for football or maybe the quality of kids, it can vary a little bit more,” said former Hanson head coach Jim Haskamp, who led the Beavers to a 9B title in 2008. “Even if you’re going from 9B to 9A, that makes it harder to be consistent.”
Teams with a male average daily membership of 56.000 or below are assigned to the nineman classifications every two-year cycle, with the bottom third of nine-man teams assigned to Class 9B. With 116 schools below that mark
before factoring in cooperatives, it creates mass movement each cycle.
This most recent cycle, effective this year, had eight teams move down to Class 9B while five teams moved up. Potentially facing an unfamiliar team due to realignment will lead to extra preparation before playing them in a game, but coaches won’t fret about it, wanting to focus instead of putting their players in the best position to win.
“You just kind of take a look at different levels of the different teams that are in there and who you think are going to be your teams competing for a title,” Haskamp said. “It just changes your focus there on those different teams. Other than that, you go about your business as usual.”
WHAT
IT WILL TAKE TO REPEAT
The Class 9B playoffs this year showed how tough it is to repeat as state champions, as defending champion Avon, the No. 1 seed with an offense that averaged over 60 points per game going into the playoffs, fell to 8-seed Canistota in the quarterfinals by a final of 16-8.
The game displayed the quality of teams in the class, having been built on pedigree from generations, making Kimball’s success in 2003 and 2004 much more impressive to those from afar. It also showcased the strong core and mentality the Kiotes carried during their championship runs.
“Once you won that one title, you’ve got a target on your back,” Culver said, “Because now teams are trying to take down the champ. In some cases, that could make their season, even if they don’t win it all. … You’ve got to have two pretty good size classes, and if you’ve got a good program, you’re going to have people gunning for you.”
“The caliber of football has always been pretty solid,” Haskamp added. “We’ve always had good football in Mitchell and the surrounding area. A lot of the programs where you’re seeing a lot of success in, a lot of them have consistency within.”
Both Culver and Haskamp believe it will take two talented classes on Class 9B teams similar to Kimball’s squads and for outside factors to work in their favor to see another repeat champion. Ultimately, it’s going to take the dedication of everyone on the roster to improve in all aspects of preparation.
“If they don’t have the dedication, it’s going to be a little tougher,” Culver said. “When you get that target on your back, people are going to be coming after you. You’re going to need that junior class to be dedicated to the weight room and going to need for them to want to get better.”
In this 2004 file photo, Kimball’s Kyle Pickner (21) carries the football during the Class 9B high school football championship game at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. Mitchell Republic file photo
BY THE NUMBERS
Seven games remain, seven championships to be crowned in the high school football season.
BY MARCUS TRAXLER | MITCHELL REPUBLIC
It has all built to this.
Seven games remain, seven championships to be crowned in the high school football season.
The arrival of the state football championships in Vermillion brings on some interesting championship facts and storylines to point out. Ahead of the 2024 state football title games, here are some facts and figures worth noting:
A LOOK AT THE SOUTH DAKOTA
STRENGTH VS. STRENGTH
There will be a few instances at the Dome in which the top scoring offense in a class will face the division’s No. 1 scoring defense. Here’s a look:
» Class 11B: Sioux Valley (No. 1 offense at 40.4 ppg) vs. Winner (No. 1 defense at 4.8 opposing ppg)
» Class 11A: Lennox (No. 1 offense at 38.1 ppg) vs. Sioux Falls Christian (No. 1 defense at 10.5 opponent ppg)
» Class 11AAA: Sioux Falls Lincoln (No. 1 offense at 39 ppg) vs. Brandon Valley (No. 1 defense at 7.6 opponent ppg)
Three teams are back at the Dome with a chance to win another state title.
Pierre is the headliner with a chance at an eighth consecutive state championship, a chance to extend their current state record. But the Governors weren’t a shoo-in to reach this point, at one stage losing four games in a row this season and carrying the No. 4 seed into the Class 11AA bracket. Since that 2-4 start, the Governors have won five in a row and took out No. 1-seeded Yankton in the final minute of a 13-9 win last week in the semifinals. The Governors’ record since the start of their championship streak in 2017 is now at 80-14 ahead of the state title game matchup with Watertown.
Parkston brings the state’s longest-winning streak into the state championship games, winners of 23 in a row after claiming the Class 9AA state title in 2023. The Trojans are 33-2 over the past three seasons and 41-5 since the start of the 2021 season. Meanwhile, the Trojans take on Hamlin, which has won 47 of its 55 games since the start of the
2020 season.
Sioux Falls Lincoln, the Class 11AAA champion from 2023, has won 22 of its last 23 games, looking to avenge its only loss in that time from earlier in the season when it faces Brandon Valley on Saturday. In those 22 wins, the Patriots have scored 40 or more points 14 times. In the last two seasons, Brandon Valley has held Lincoln to its lowest offensive output of the season, with 28 points in the semifinals last season and 13 points on Oct. 4 this season.
Only one team at the Dome has the best scoring offense and top scoring defense in their division. That’s Hamlin in Class 9AA, which has averaged 51.2 points per game and allows a mere 8.5 points per game to opponents.
GOING FOR THREE OR FOUR
Since the Class 11AAA division was created in 2013, six different schools have won state titles, including three in a row for Sioux Falls Washington from 2015 to 2017. Sioux Falls Lincoln won its third title in the division last season with a 31-7 win over O’Gorman. Depending on Saturday’s result, the Patriots can win a Class 11AAA-best fourth title with a victory, or Brandon Valley can become the third program to win three times in Class 11AAA, joining the Warriors and Patriots, with the Lynx previously winning titles in 2018 and 2020.
Another number to watch in this class is 27. Of the 11 state title games in Class 11AAA since 2013, the winning team has scored 27 points at least nine times. And no state champion has won with fewer than 20 points in this division.
CLOSE CALLS
Reflecting on the semifinal round, there were a number of close contests on Nov.
8. Of the 14 semifinal games, seven of them were decided by six points or less.
The closest of those was Wolsey-Wessington’s 30-28 win at No. 1 seed Wall in Class 9A, while Brandon Valley won the only overtime game of the round, a 3734 victory over Sioux Falls Jefferson to keep the No. 1 seed Lynx alive.
Pierre’s Cooper Terwilliger catches a pass during the Class 11AA state football championship game on Nov. 10, 2023 against Yankton at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. Josh Jurgens / For South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Brandon Valley’s Landon Dulaney carries the ball in a game against Mitchell on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Joe Quintal Field. Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
Sioux Falls Christian players celebrate after the Chargers’ defense recovered a fumble against Canton on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls. Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
DAKOTA STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
Howard. Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic SECOND TIME AROUND
Four championship games are rematches from the regular season. In Class 11AA, Pierre and Watertown meet again after a 28-14 win in Pierre on Sept. 13. The Arrows benefitted from three interceptions on defense and a blocked punt touchdown to help decide the game.
Class 11A finalists
Sioux Falls Christian and Lennox also played on Sept. 13, with the Chargers winning the first time 19-8. SFC trailed 8-0 at halftime before scoring two touchdowns on offense, kicking a field goal and earning a safety to land on 19 points. It was the Orioles’ lowest scoring output of the season.
Faulkton Area won the first meeting with Sully Buttes on Sept. 27, a 28-8 win in Onida between Class 9B state finalists. The Trojans rushed for 253 yards and held Sully Buttes to only 49 yards on the ground and a total of 169 yards of offense.
On Oct. 4, Brandon Valley snapped Lincoln’s 17-game win streak in a 39-13 win at Howard Wood Field, serving as a precursor to the Class 11AAA championship matchup. The Lynx ripped off 33 straight points and held Lincoln to 192 yards of offense.
Since 2018, the No. 1 seeds are a combined 22-7 in the DakotaDome in state championship games. That includes a perfect 6-0 last season for the No. 1 seeds that made it. Four No. 1s made it this year (Parkston, Sioux Valley,
Seven teams remain undefeated ahead of this week’s South Dakota football championships. Two of the games feature perfect squads on both sides, with Hamlin and Parkston playing in primetime on Thursday night, both at 11-0, for the Class 9AA championship game. Last season, Parkston won the matchup in the Class 9AA semifinal round, a 26-3 win in Parkston.
Another undefeated showdown involves No. 1 Sioux Valley and No. 2 Winner, each with records of 11-0. Those teams last met in the state semifinals in 2020, a 28-14 win for the Warriors on the way to a Winner state title.
The other undefeated teams include Howard in Class 9A, Sioux Falls Christian in Class 11A and Brandon Valley in Class 11AAA.
Since 2017, there have been 32 championship games featuring at least one undefeated team, including eight with both teams undefeated.
In the other 24 games, 18 have been won by the undefeated team, closing out their perfect season with the title, while six
Sioux Falls Christian and Brandon Valley).
In that time, No. 4 seeds have fared well in state championship games, with a record of 6-3, which could portend well for No. 4 seeds Wolsey-Wessington and Pierre in this year’s
have been won by the team that took a loss earlier in the year. (That list of state champions and perfect season spoilers includes 2017 Britton-Hecla, 2019 and 2020 Canistota/Freeman, 2022 Gregory, along with 2020 and 2021 Pierre.)
Last season, all four 11-0 teams entering the state championship game closed out the perfect season.
BEEN HERE BEFORE
No state championship qualifiers are making their first appearance in the title game but there’s plenty of history involved for the teams that made it to Vermillion:
» Winner makes its 19th trip to the state championship game since 1981, when it won the first playoff title in Class 11A. The Warriors are 9-9 all-time in state championship games.
» Brandon Valley will play in its 15th state championship game since 1981. The Lynx are 8-6 in the title round entering 2024.
» Sioux Falls Lincoln puts its 4-0 all-time record on the line in state championship games, with wins in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2023.
» Sioux Falls Christian is also undefeated
all-time in state title games, with Class 11B wins in 2017 and 2018. This will be the Chargers’ first try at a Class 11A state title, facing a Lennox team in the state title game for only the third time in school history, looking for the Orioles’ first title since 1982.
» Watertown and Pierre are meeting for the first time in a state title game since 2013, when the Governors defeated the Arrows 34-7. Watertown is making its first appearance since then.
» Hamlin is playing in a state championship for the 11th time in school history and looking for a state title in a third different class. The Chargers were Class 11B champions from 1989 to 1991 and also won the Class 9B title in 2014 but
games. No. 3 seeds have been solid with a 6-7 record, while No. 2 seeds have been 5-13. That is in part because No. 2 seeds have faced the No. 1 seed 17 times in that span, with the No. 1 seed winning 13 of those matchups.
In the span of a decade, Howard and Wolsey-Wessington meet in the Class 9A championship game for state superiority, just as they did in 2014.
In that Nov. 13, 2014 game, Howard took a 20-8 lead after one quarter and picked up 316 of its 343 yards on the ground, outmuscling the Warbirds 32-20 for the state championship, with star running backs Luke Loudenburg, of Howard (29 carries, 227 yards), and W-W’s Lorenzo Williams (28 carries, 242 yards) shining for the two squads.
Neither team has backed down in nineman competition since then. The Warbirds won titles in 2015 (Class 9AA) and 2020 (Class 9B), while since 2014, Howard took second in Class 9A in 2018 and won the title in 2021, while falling last season in Class 9AA in the 2023 title game. The two teams last played each other in the 2021 Class 9A state quarterfinals, a 46-6 Howard victory as the Tigers marched their way to a perfect season and a state title. Friday represents Howard’s eighth appearance in a state championship game, all since 2004.
are still seeking their first title in the 9AA division.
» Hamlin-Parkston is also a past state championship matchup from 1991, when the Chargers topped Parkston in Class 11B 38-6. The Trojans are in their seventh state title game appearance and seeking back-to-back Class 9AA titles.
» Faulkton is also an original participant from 1981 when it lost to Freeman 19-14 in the Class 9A title game. Faulkton is making its fifth state title appearance but is still looking for its first victory.
» Sioux Valley is making its second all-time appearance at the DakotaDome and will hope to summon some magic from 1988, when it beat Bon Homme 34-28 in the Class 11B title game.
Howard’s Tate Miller (27) celebrates after making an interception against Warner during a Class 9A high school football State semifinal game on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in
No. 1 Brandon Valley vs. No. 2 Lincoln best title games in years shaping
BY MATT ZIMMER | SIOUX FALLS LIVE
Patriots are defending champions, Lynx looking to complete undefeated season
It's been a long time since the DakotaDome has seen a competitive 11AAA championship game.
Each of the last four title games have been decided by 21 points or more, and the one before that, O'Gorman's 21-16 win over Brandon Valley in 2019 came at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.
UPPER LEFT: Lincoln’s Brody Schafer delivers a pass in the first quarter of the Patriots’ win over O’Gorman on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Matt Zimmer/ Sioux Falls Live
UPPER CENTER: Brandon Valley receiver Landon Dulaney (5) is one of the top playmakers in South Dakota. Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live
That trend should end Saturday in the finale of the state's seven state championship games, when No. 1 Brandon Valley (11-0) takes on reining champ and second-ranked Sioux Falls Lincoln (10-1).
The Patriots went undefeated to win last year's title with what was widely considered to be one of the best teams in recent state his-
tory, so they're entering coming to the Dome with a 22-1 record over the last two seasons.
The Lynx put together one of the most dominant regular seasons in state history, winning every game by at least two scores and allowing only 44 total points, but were nearly bounced in the semifinals, needing overtime to survive a scare from No. 4 Jefferson.
It all adds up to one of the best AAA matchups in the class’s 12-year history, with the potential to give us a tremendous title tilt.
“It’ll be a dogfight, a barnburner — all that,” said Lynx wide receiver Landon Dulaney, a future Jackrabbit who had 15 catches for 181 yards in the semifinal win. “We’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing, bring everything we got and leave it all out on the field.”
The Patriots are coming off a 20-14 win over No. 3 Harrisburg in the semis. They started the year 5-0 and looked like they might be steamrolling to a second-straight title, but were humbled on their Homecoming in a 39-13 loss to the Lynx. That was the night it became apparent just how good Brandon Valley is, and it forced the Patriots to regroup, which coach Jared Fredenburg says they’ve done.
“That was a turning point for us,” Fredenburg said. “There was a fork in the road and it could’ve gone very badly, but it didn’t. When our guys came back on Monday and we watched the film our guys owned everything. They were accountable for every mistake, everything they did.”
The Pats briefly led 7-6 in that first meeting,
only for the Lynx to rattle off 33 unanswered points. Lincoln managed just 192 yards of offense in the game and played poorly on special teams. The Lynx enjoyed an almost 2-to-1 advantage in time of possession.
“That was by far the worst performance we’ve had all year,” Fredenburg said. “Whatever could’ve gone wrong did.”
On the one hand, Jefferson may have exposed some holes in the Lynx defense. They allowed almost as many points in that game (34) as they did in the regular season (44), largely by running the ball successfully.
Then again, Lincoln and Jefferson aren’t similar offensively, and the Lynx will surely spend the week correcting the mistakes they made against the Cavaliers. Maybe the Lynx are now vulnerable. Maybe that was the rest of the state’s chance to get them, and Brandon will resume their dominance on Saturday.
The Patriots will be leaning on a sophomore quarterback in Tate Schafer, who’s thrown for 1,754 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for another 694 yards and 13 scores. Josh Myers has rushed for 831 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Mikey Roche (45 catches, 515 yards, six touchdowns) and Louison Akossi (35 catches, 612 yards, nine touchdowns) have been Schafer’s top targets.
The Lincoln defense has been led by Connor Gray (62 tackles), Kishmar Eberline (46 tackles, five sacks), Luke Krempges (43 tackles, four sacks), Carston Benson (55 tackles) and Edison Noll (30 tackles, four interceptions).
“We’ll get their best, no doubt about that,” said Lynx coach Matt Christensen. “We’ll get their best coaching, their best competitors and some of the best talent in the state. They’ll hold nothing back and neither will we.
It’ll be a real challenge to get another one on them but our kids will be up for it.”
Brandon counters with a two-man backfield of Levi Veskrna (918 yards, 15 TDs) and Gus Scott (631 yards, 11 TDs) and reliable quarterback Briggs Knutson (75 percent completion rate, 17 TD passes), but Dulaney is the centerpiece of their offense. He has 70 catches for 945 yards and 17 touchdowns.
“You can put a cape on that guy,” Fredenburg said.
The Lynx defense will be looking to bounce back behind Evan Gray (69 tackles, eight sacks), Dylan Williams (55 tackles, three sacks), Drake Jellema (42 tackles) and Chase Leary (42 tackles, four interceptions).
The game kicks off at 5 p.m. at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.
Whoever wins will hoist the trophy knowing they earned it by beating a worthy challenger, while the loser will go down as one of the best teams in the state to come up short of a title.
That’s how good these teams are.
“We’ve been working towards this our whole careers,” Dulaney said. “To be a senior on an undefeated team, playing for a state championship, that’s the dream. It’s been my dream to get (to the Dome) and now that it’s happened we can’t wait to go play. It’s gonna be fun.”
UPPER RIGHT: Lincoln’s Connor Gray picks up a fumble and returns it deep into Brandon Valley territory in the first quarter of Friday’s 11AAA football semifinal at Howard Wood Field on Nov. 3, 2023. Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live
ABOVE: Brandon Valley’s Levi Veskrna dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the Lynx’s loss to Lincoln on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 in Brandon. Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live
athletes
of theweek
Four athletes stood out for their respective teams. Last week was filled with playoff football and postseason volleyball across South Dakota. Here were four athletes who led their respective teams to big victories with standout performances. NOV 14
ELI
VOBR: WINNER FOOTBALL
A senior quarterback and defensive back, Vobr’s performance in the Class 11B semifinals was instrumental for Warner in its 36-0 shutout of St. Thomas More. Offensively, he finished the day with three touchdowns. Two of those came courtesy of eight and 33-yard rushes while he also added a passing touchdown as well. Defensively, he was responsible for one of the Warriors’ four turnovers on the day when he nabbed an interception in the third quarter. Vobr and Winner will look to capture the 11B state title when they face top-seed Sioux Valley in the Dome on Friday, Nov. 15.
LUCAS
FELDHAUS: HOWARD FOOTBALL
Feldhaus, a senior running back and defensive back for Howard was instrumental in the team’s 40-13 victory over Warner in the Class 9A semifinals last Friday, Nov. 8. He finished the day with three total touchdowns and 51 rushing yards. Two of those touchdowns came on rushes in a 27-point fourth quarter while the other came courtesy of an 80-yard pick-six in the third quarter that gave the Tigers a 13-6 lead at the time. Feldhaus’ performance spearheaded the Tigers to their second straight trip to the DakotaDome where they will face Wolsey-Wessington on Friday for the 9A state title.
AVA DOYLE: HANSON VOLLEYBALL
A sophomore setter and outside hitter, Doyle’s big performance in 2nd-seeded Hanson’s Region 5A playoff victory over Wagner on Thursday, Nov. 7. She finished the night with a team-high 16 kills. Along with the big attacking number, she added 13 digs on defense, two service aces and three solo blocks as well. Doyle has consistently been near the top of the attacking box score for the Beavers this season. She’s been a reliable threat at the net and has added steady defense as well. Doyle and Hanson will play Dakota Valley in the SoDak 16 on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in Centerville.
CLAIRE MUNCH: DAKOTA VALLEY VOLLEYBALL
A junior outside hitter for Dakota Valley, Munch was the catalyst in the Panthers’ five-set victory over Lennox in the Region 4A postseason. She finished with a team-high 24 kills to go along with 22 digs, four blocks and a service aces on the night. Munch has been the Panthers’ top attacker this season and one of their top players in other categories too. She leads the team in kills (456), hitting percentage (.322), digs per set (3.6) and service aces (50) on the season. Munch and Dakota Valley will look to clinch a state birth against Hanson in the SoDak 16 on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in Centerville.
LUCAS FELDHAUS
AVA DOYLE
ELI VOBR
around the state TOP storylines
Here’s a look at some of the top high school sports storylines taking shape around South Dakota:
WEST
KADOKA AREA SNAPS 42-YEAR STATE DROUGHT:
After coming up short over the last two years, the Kadoka Area Kougars finally clinched a spot in the Class B state volleyball tournament in Sioux Falls. No. 4 Kadoka Area defeated No. 13 Parkston on Tuesday in the Class B SoDak 16 in Mission by a 3-1 score. The set scores were 25-7, 25-27, 26-24 and 25-14.
It is Kadoka’s first trip to the state volleyball tournament since 1982, and the Kougars have been powered by a 23-match win streak. Tuesday’s SoDak 16 match was the first time in a month that the Kougars have lost a set in a best-of-five match.
Kadoka Area (31-3) will face No. 5 Burke in the state quarterfinals on Nov. 21 in Sioux Falls.
CENTRAL
GOVERNORS TAKE DEFENSE, DIVERSE PASSING GAME IN DOME RETURN: With seven straight titles to their name, the Pierre Governors are no stranger to the DakotaDome and the state football championships.
But while a 2-4 start raised questions about the Pierre squad, the Governors have responded with five straight
BY MARCUS TRAXLER | MITCHELL REPUBLIC
wins powered by a strong defense. The Govs have allowed 13 points per game in that five-game win streak, including silencing a Yankton offense averaging more than 40 points per game to only nine points last week.
The Governors have also built a solid passing game, with junior Kaleb Lounsbury completing 19 touchdowns and throwing for 1,797 yards, with three receivers in the vicinity of 500 yards for the season. Sophomore receiver Carter Schiefelbein has 40 catches for 506 yards and five touchdowns, while senior George Stalley has 41 catches for 402 yards and seven touchdowns. Cooper Terwilliger, a highly touted sophomore prospect, has 33 catches for 455 yards and four scores. Schiefelbein was the receiving hero in the semifinal win with four catches for 106 yards and a score.
SOUTHEAST
HARRISBURG VOLLEYBALL STRETCHES WIN STREAK PAST 70 GAMES: No. 1 seeded Harrisburg’s win streak stands at 73 matches in a row entering the SoDak 16 on Thursday night against 16th-seeded Douglas.
The Tigers won their final 16 matches in 2022 as part of a 28-3 championship season, followed by a perfect 31-0 season in 2023 and now the Tigers have 27 consecutive wins lined up in 2024 under coach Ronette Costain.
Junior outside hitter Gabi Zachariasen, already a University of South Dakota volleyball commit and the state’s reigning Gatorade player of the year, leads the way with 326 kills, while freshman Josalyn Samuels has continued the trend of top-tier setters for the Tigers, with 726 assists to her name. Sophomore Bergen Stiff has 68 total blocks and senior libero Maggie Meister, a South Dakota State commit, has an even 500 digs on the season.
The Class AA state volleyball tournament begins on Nov. 21 at the Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
NORTHEAST
CASTLEWOOD, SIOUX VALLEY GO THE DISTANCE TO REACH STATE: Tuesday’s SoDak 16 state-qualifying round for volleyball had four matches that went five sets, the most for the SoDak 16 since 2017.
Among those were 11th-seeded Sioux Valley’s five-set win over No. 6 Hill City in Class A in Philip, taking out the previously 29-3 Rangers to advance to the state tournament. It is the Cossacks’ first trip to the state volleyball tournament since 2017.
In Class B, Castlewood, the No. 10 seed in the SoDak 16, earned a five-set win over seventh-seeded Faith in Gettysburg. The Warriors had the only seed upset in the SoDak 16 in Class B.
It is the Warriors’ third-straight trip to the Class B state tournament. Other five-set winners on Tuesday included No. 9 Winner over No. 8 Mobridge-Pollock in Class A at Fort Pierre and No. 6 Gayville-Volin held off No. 11 Wolsey-Wessington in Class B in Salem.
players celebrate after notching a point against Sioux Falls Jefferson on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at Jefferson High School in Sioux Falls. Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
Harrisburg
Kadoka Area’s Madisyn Nemecek looks on during a volleyball match earlier this season at Douglas High School in Box Elder. NewsCenter1 photo
one reason
each finalist can win a state football championship
BY LANDON DIERKS
As 14 hopeful programs descend on the DakotaDome this week for the South Dakota high school football title games, each one is 48 minutes from becoming a champion.
Between those white lines, anything can happen, and every team that has earned the right to step foot on the turf has at least one reason to believe they can take down a state title.
Here’s one reason why each state finalist can hoist the championship hardware in Vermillion:
BRANDON VALLEY
Defense wins championships. For much of the season, scoring on the Lynx’s defense was immovable, allowing a scant five points per game prior to the semifinals. Though Brandon Valley escaped an upset bid from Sioux Falls Jefferson, a 37-34 overtime final showed there are some vulnerabilities that need to be shored up before facing Sioux Falls Lincoln and the No. 1 scoring offense in the Class 11AAA. In the first matchup, the Lynx held the Patriots to 13 points, and Brandon Valley will look for more of the same to deny a repeat champion.
SIOUX FALLS LINCOLN
Run it back. Class 11AAA hasn’t produced a repeat champion since Sioux Falls Washington three-peated between 2015 and 2017, but the Patriots could change that on Saturday night. Armed with another potent offense, which was Lincoln’s calling card in 2023, the Pats lead the class at 39 points per game, though they lost 39-13 to Brandon Valley during the season. Lincoln will look to borrow from the second-chance recipe that saw Jefferson’s output against the Lynx balloon from three to 34 points.
WATERTOWN
Beat ‘em once already. The Arrows went to Pierre and won 28-14 on Sept. 13, and they’ll be looking to duplicate that
effort in their first title game appearance since 2013. With its lone losses coming against Class 11AAA semifinalist Sioux Falls Jefferson and in a double overtime thriller against Spearfish, Watertown has an argument for being the most consistent team in the class this season. That sentiment is further evidenced by a topthree scoring offense (30.8 points per game) and defense (13.7 points allowed).
PIERRE
Eight sounds great. Down but never out, the Governors are back in the Class 11AA title game despite losing four games in a row during the middle of the season. Since, Pierre has reeled off five wins in a row, the most recent coming on a touchdown in the final seconds to stun No. 1 seed Yankton 14-9 and keep the pursuit of an unprecedented eighth consecutive state football title alive. It might have been a season of growing pains, but coach Steve Steele once again has the Govs playing their best at the right time.
SIOUX FALLS
CHRISTIAN
Road runs through SFC. By defeating all seven of the other Class 11A playoff teams during the nine-game regular season schedule, the Chargers firmly established themselves as the squad to beat in Class 11A. They have the No. 2 scoring offense at 37.9 points per game (just behind title game opponent Lennox at 38.1) and the No. 1 scoring defense at 10.5 points allowed per game.
LENNOX
Second time is the charm. During the final week of the regular season, the Orioles were handled 26-12 at home by Dell Rapids, but when Lennox visited the two-time defending champion for a semifinal rematch, they completely flipped the script for a 35-0 statement victory. If the Orioles can find similar avenues to improve on their first performance against Sioux Falls Christian, what was an 11-point gap between the two during their initial meeting could close in a hurry.
WITH ONE GAME LEFT, TEAMS HEAD TO VERMILLION WITH TITLE DREAMS
Howard’s Luke Koepsell breaks the tackle of Timber Lake’s Treyton Du Preez while following the block of teammate Calvin Halvorson during a Class 9A firstround high school football playoff game on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Howard. Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic
Sully Buttes’ Gavin Barber catches the ball on a swing pass during the Class 9B quarterfinals on Thursday, Oct. 31, in Corsica. Blake Durham / Mitchell Republic
Parkston’s Kolter Kramer (7) is dragged down by Freeman/Marion/ Freeman Academy’s Riley Tschetter during a Class 9AA semifinal high school football game on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Parkston. Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
Winner’s Karson Keiser celebrates after a turnover against the Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central Blackhawks during a Class 11B state quarterfinal football game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Winner.
SIOUX VALLEY
Donovan Rose and Co. The Cossacks are headed back to the Dome for the first time since 1988 and a star-studded backfield is a major reason why. Speedster Donovan Rose is as electric of a talent as Class 11B has produced in recent memory, and Sioux Valley has several other ball carriers around him to keep defenses guessing, rushing for more than 10 yards per carry and being a threat on offense and in the return game. The Cossacks have rushed for 360 yards per game this season, with 17 touchdowns on the ground from Rose and 15 from running back-turned-quarterback Brock Christopherson.
WINNER
Standard bearer. Since entering the Class 11B ranks in 2009, the Warriors have been to the Dome eight times (prior to Friday) and walked away victorious on six of those occasions. Last season’s semifinal run snapped a streak of four straight berths into the title game for Winner, which is set to make its fifth trip to Vermillion in six seasons and seventh in the past decade. With a win, the Warriors would become just the second South Dakota program to win 10 state championships in the playoff era, joining West Central.
PARKSTON
Been there, done that. With three straight Class 9AA championship game appearances now to their name, the Trojans aren’t likely to be thrown off by the big stage of a Thursday night title tilt under the bright lights of the DakotaDome. Though many of the top contributors from last season’s victory graduated, the new cast of characters picked right up where they left off. Top five in both scoring offense and scoring defense, these Trojans also posses the tools to complete a second consecutive perfect season.
HAMLIN
Put up the points. As the No. 1 scoring team in all of nine-man football this year (51.2 points per game) hits the DakotaDome turf, the Chargers will do so looking to light up the scoreboard as they’ve done throughout their campaign. In every contest this season except its semfinal victory, Hamlin put up at least 40 points, hitting 50 points eight times and twice eclipsing 60. While such numbers are unlikely against a stout Parkston defense, if the Chargers succeed in turning the game into a track meet, watch out.
HOWARD
Complete domination. Few teams have cut a swath as wide as the Tigers’ in Class 9A this season. At 11-0, Howard has yet to play a game this season decided by fewer than 27 points. Even a 13-all semifinal against unbeaten Warner after three quarters turned into a rout behind a huge fourth quarter. Off a narrow title game defeat in Class 9AA last season, the Tigers have hardly skipped a beat and will be a tough out if they play to the standard they’ve set to this point.
WOLSEY-WESSINGTON
Dynamic duo. Brothers Moche and Caleb Richmond are on the short list of most talented pairs in South Dakota nine-man football. Caleb, the Warbirds’ junior quarterback, has 1,800 yards passing and another 1,200 yards rushing with 40 total touchdown involvements this season. Meanwhile, Moche, a senior receiver has nearly 500 yards rushing and almost 1,000 more receiving with 18 touchdowns. Wolsey-Wessington isn’t just a two-man show, but the Richmonds go a long way to setting the tone.
FAULKTON AREA
Unfinished business. How many times in recent memory have we seen teams follow the script? Fall short in the Dome one year, come back and win it all the next. Just last year, nine-man champions Parkston and Warner both did it, and for a Class 9B example, just look back to Dell Rapids St. Mary in 2020 and 2021. There’s little denying that the Trojans graduated a bunch of talent from the squad that came up two points shy in 2023, but that’s no reason the 2024 crew can’t finish what that class of seniors started.
SULLY BUTTES
Familiarity with the foe. Due to proximity, the Chargers regularly plays Faulkton Area during the regular season, and now that geographic rivalry will move more than four hours southeast to take center stage on the turf. This season, Faulkton bested Sully Buttes 28-8 during a regular season meeting on Sept. 27 in Onida, a result that stands as the Chargers’ lone loss. Wesley Wittler, Gavin Barber and Gavin Colson headline an offense that scores upward of 45 points per game, as Sully Buttes aims to avenge that defeat.
Sioux Falls Christian’s Lincoln Prins carries the ball while being chased by a host of West Central players Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls. Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
explosive
performance propels Augie football in Key to the City triumph Epperson’s
BY TRENT SINGER | SIOUX FALLS LIVE
In the aftermath of Augustana’s 27-21 victory Saturday afternoon, Jarod Epperson and his senior teammate, JayVian Farr, bolted toward the north end zone and grabbed the Key to the City trophy.
For Epperson, it’s moments like these that make the decision to come back for one final season all the more special.
“Being back with all the guys, all the fun plays, all the bad plays,” Epperson said, “being together and fighting for every ‘W’ is just awesome.”
On a day when the offense was far from perfect, the Vikings’ senior running back was an explosive force.
A career performance came at the perfect time, as Epperson accounted for 277 of the Vikings’ 487 total yards in the triumph over their 26th Street rivals, the Sioux Falls Cougars.
Epperson’s day started with a bang when he took his first carry of the day 62 yards to the house in the opening quarter, tying things up at 7-7.
Then, in the final five minutes of the game, it was Epperson who carved out 56 yards of offense on AU’s final drive, burning the clock just enough to allow only a desperation Hail Mary heave from USF quarterback Camden Dean that fell short in the final seconds.
Despite any lingering fatigue, the internal monologue was simple — “Don’t think, just do.”
“I was definitely tired, but I just let the body react,” Epperson said. “And all the instincts kick in. Just go.”
Augustana’s Jarod Epperson holds the Key to the City trophy after the Vikings defeated Sioux Falls on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.
Senior back had 277 yards in win over USF
And off he went.
In the fourth quarter alone, Epperson accounted for more than 100 yards on the ground. At the end of the day, he touched the ball just 19 times, averaging a whopping 14.6 yards per touch.
“Big-time players show up in big-time games,” Vikings coach Jerry Olszewski said. “I told him yesterday, ‘Listen, I’m going to put it on your back. There’s going to be some shots we’re going to take.’ And we probably could’ve taken more of them.
“I thought he was excellent. I thought his vision was great. I thought his pad level was really good. He’s just a really good football player. I’m just so blessed that he had this year to experience, and what a difference maker he is.”
The big-play ability was on full display throughout Saturday’s contest.
On the opening play of the fourth quarter, the 6-foot, 195-pound Epperson broke free for a 47-yard dash to the end zone that pushed AU’s lead to two scores.
Even in a second quarter in which he didn’t gain a single yard in the run game, Epperson caught a short pass from QB Gunnar Hensley and did the rest of the work, turning on the jets and taking it 75 yards to the USF 13-yard line. Two plays later, Hensley hit Jacob Remmert in the back of the end zone on a play-action pass that gave Augustana a 14-7 lead it never relinquished.
“Whenever we can get the ball in Jarod’s hands, you know something big is going to happen,” Hensley said. “He’s an electric player, and we’re so lucky to have him on our offense.”
In fact, “lucky” might be the best word to describe how grateful Epperson’s teammates are to have him on their sideline this season.
Just before the start of the 2024 campaign, it was presumed Epperson’s college career was finished and that he wasn’t going to be a part of the Vikings’ backfield, but in mid-August, he announced his return.
On the heels of a 2023 campaign in which he amassed 1,067 yards and 11 touchdowns, Epperson
appears poised to earn All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference First Team honors for a second straight season.
“We didn’t know we were getting him back until the start of fall camp, but when we did, it was just an awesome vibe,” Hensley said. “We know what type of playmaker he is, and we’re just so lucky to have him this year. He really complements our offense.”
Hensley can’t help but chuckle when asked about the undeniable energy Epperson brings to the sideline.
“He definitely brings the juice,” Hensley said. “Sometimes it’s a little too much, and you’ve got to calm him down. But that’s what makes him so great.
“I think it’s his mindset, his love for the game and his passion.”
A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Epperson now has 919 yards and 10 TDs on the ground in 2024, and there’s surely more to come.
“I think I said it before the game that he’s the most complete running back in the league, bar none,” USF coach Jim Glogowski said. “He can catch it out of the backfield. He’s got great feet. He’s probably got the best feet I’ve seen in a long time at running back. … You make a mistake against a kid like that, he makes you pay.”
As it stands, the Vikings are positioned well to claim an outright NSIC championship for the second year in a row.
Next weekend’s road trip to Bemidji State still looms — a win versus the Beavers will lock up an outright conference crown — but at the very worst, Augustana will claim a share of the conference title.
Two weeks ago, Epperson became the program’s all-time leading rusher in a 34-16 win at Minnesota State. The man he passed was Joe Clark, who was in attendance for Saturday’s game and got the chance to personally congratulate Epperson when it was finished.
“Coach told me he was going to be here this week,” Epperson said, “so he wanted to just congratulate me and my family for all that I’ve done for this program and just congratulate me for breaking his record.
“Hopefully I can do the same thing once my record’s broken.”
Saturday’s performance was a full-circle moment for Epperson, who made his first career start as a freshman in 2019 in the Key to the City game. He scored his first career touchdown that day, as the Vikings won 20-13.
From his first taste of the rivalry to his last, Augustana’s most prolific runner has left an indelible mark on the blossoming rivalry.
“This one’s probably up there a little bit,” Epperson said. “This was a fun one. … Nothing’s better than winning at KO and being able to sing the fight song to all the fans.
“It makes it better that we were able to raise the key and keep the key here at home.”
Augustana’s Jarod Epperson runs with the ball while being chased down by Sioux Falls’ Dawson Raabe on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.
Bellmakes USD
South Dakota receiver Carter Bell (14) signals for a first down after a long reception against Indiana State during an FCS college football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. Bell broke the USD program record for career receiving yards on the play.
HISTORY in winSycamores
Entering Saturday’s college football game between South Dakota and Indiana State, Carter Bell was just a few plays away from re-writing the USD history books in a second straight game, and it didn’t take very long to do so.
After two short catches early in the first quarter, Bell sat just 12 yards away from the all-time USD receiving yards record. The former record, held by Rod Tweet (2,557), stood since 1985 with nobody matching his historical number since. That was until Bell caught a short pass at the 2:23 mark of the first quarter.
He managed to gain a step on his defender following the catch and took it 43 yards downfield to write his name into Coyote lore for the foreseeable future.
“It’s awesome, it’s a great accomplishment,” Bell said. “There are some really good names on that list and I’m blessed to be in the position I am. But at the same time, I’m just here to win. We’ve got our goals ahead of us and I’m going to do whatever I can for this team.”
But as big as the record-setting catch was, it was just one reception in what ended up being a big day for the sixth-year receiver against the Sycamores.
Bell finished the day with a season-high 115 receiving yards, his first game this season in which he eclipsed the century mark, and he caught his first receiving touchdown of the year as well. It was his fifth straight game with over 50 receiving yards. On the season, he also extended his team-leading receiving yards mark to 483 and he’s averaged 53.67 yards per game. USD coach Bob Nielson said Bell has been that steady presence in the receiver room all year and said his consistency has been a big boost for the offense over his entire career.
“Hard to believe that he hasn’t caught a touchdown yet with the number of catches that he has, but just kind of the way that it’s worked out,” Nielson said.
Sixth-year senior became Coyotes career leader in receiving yards
“Carter’s been an unbelievably consistent performer for us over his career. He does a lot more for our football team than his statistics may show. Even been an outstanding guy in the return game, but he’s been a guy that is a big part of our success this season and over the last several years. And a guy that we need to continue to find ways to get the football to.”
The receiving yards record is now one of the program’s two major receiving statistical categories Bell now holds. He also broke the all-time receptions record in USD’s previous game against South Dakota State, and Bell still has an opportunity to climb the all-time receiving touchdown list with two regular season games remaining plus any playoff matchups.
He moved into a tie for fourth place all-time following his touchdown reception on Saturday. He now has 17 receiving touchdowns throughout his career which ties Brandt Van Roekel. He can easily move up that list as he’s one behind Derek Gearman (18) in third place and two behind Dan Skelly (19) in second place. He trails program leader Will Powell (21) by four touchdowns.
The historical records are just more accomplishments in what has been one of the best careers in program history. Coming into his sixth and final season, Bell was already a three-time all-conference honorable mention, an all-conference second-team pick as a returner, a 2024 all-conference preseason first-team selection and an All-American.
But he still has plenty of time to add to his legacy statistically and more all-conference and possible All-American honors could be on the way as well. However, his biggest legacy-building opportunity will likely come in the FCS playoffs where the Coyotes will look to contend for its first-ever national championship.
Nielson said Bell will be remembered in Vermillion for years to come and he also expressed how impressive the historical achievements are considering the way the Coyotes have run their offense during Bell’s six seasons.
“I think he’s going to be remembered as certainly one of the best players that has played here,” Nielson said. “His consistency over a period of time, and I think his numbers speak for himself when you consider the fact that we’re necessarily not a pass-first offense. Just the role that he’s played, the number of snaps that he’s played, the number of wins that he’s been a part of, all of that is a testimony to what he’s brought to our football program over his career.”
South Dakota receiver Carter Bell (14) carries the football upfield after making a reception against South Dakota State during the Interstate Series rivalry college football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings. Photos by Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
BY NATHAN SWAFFAR | MITCHELL REPUBLIC
Former Washington standout among leading tacklers for Lobos
BY MARCUS TRAXLER
Mitchell Republic
Here’s a look at what former South Dakota high school standout athletes are doing at colleges around the country:
Sioux Falls Washington product Randolph Kpai is having a strong season for the University of New Mexico at linebacker.
Kpai, a 6-foot-3, 221-pound linebacker, ranks No. 3 on the Lobos in total tackles with 74 through 10 games, with 36 solo tackles to his name. He’s
also had 3 1/2 tackles for loss and a sack.
Kpai, a transfer from the University of Nebraska, is in his junior season, his first with the Lobos. He played all 96 defensive snaps and posted a sack against San Diego State, a 21-16 UNM win on Friday, Nov. 8, and he had a career-best 17 tackles in a game against the Air Force Academy on Oct. 12.
The Lobos are 4-6 on the season and host Washington State for Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 16 in Albuquerque.
RANDOLPH KPAI
BAINBRIDGE PACES HUSKERS AT BIG TEN MEET, EARNS SECOND-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
LINCOLN, Neb. — Ali Bainbridge, who graduated from Sioux Falls Lincoln, took second-team all-Big Ten honors at the Big Ten Conference meet on Friday, Nov. 1 at Savoy, Illinois.
The sophomore Bainbridge led the Husker women with a 19th-place finish (19:46.2), which earned her second-team accolades. The finish was a career-best at 6,000 meters for Bainbridge.
The Huskers will compete at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Peoria, Illinois, on Friday, Nov. 15. Races are scheduled to start at 11 a.m. at the Newman Golf Course. Bainbridge was the team’s top finisher at
the NCAA Midwest Regionals last season, as well, as Nebraska had its best regional finish since 2011.
The Nebraska women moved from No. 11 to No. 6 in late October in the coaches association’s regional rankings ahead of the NCAA regional meet.
Two other Sioux Falls women were racing in the Big Ten meet. O’Gorman graduate Katie Castelli, who transferred from Santa Clara to Ohio State to pursue a master’s degree, finished 97th for the Buckeyes (20:55.8) in her junior season. Alea Hardie, also an O’Gorman grad, was 151st for Nebraska in the meet (21:44.1).
BRAUN
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — Dordt University freshman Corinne Braun, a Sioux Falls Christian graduate, was the Great Plains Athletic Conference’s women’s cross country champion on Nov. 9 in Ashland, Nebraska.
Braun, a native of Canton, was the individual champion with a 6,000-meter time of 22 minutes and 43.2 seconds. Dordt scored 18 points as a team to claim the conference team title, as well, with the Defenders logging the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th runners for their total of 18 points.
Braun has competed in five meets this season and
was the winner in four of them. She has a season-best time of 21:50.4 from the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic on Oct. 26 on the same course in Ashland, Nebraska. It is the NAIA’s 29th-best time at 6,000 meters as of Nov. 12.
Braun and the Defenders will run in the NAIA women’s cross country national championship on Nov. 22 at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Missouri.
WINS GPAC WOMEN’S XC TITLE