By Rich Winter

605 Sports

VERMILLION — The Class B All-Nations football championship features two teams that know each other extremely well.

Lower Brule defeated Tiospa Zina 46-0 in the 2022 Class B championship and the Sioux defeated the Wambdi 24-22 in the 2023 season opener. 

Lower Brule (7-1) and Tiospa Zina (7-1) are set to meet for the All-Nations Class B championship on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. at the Dakota Dome.

An explosive Lower Brule offense that averages 46 points per game is led by quarterback Lane Gray. The junior has thrown for 14 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. The Sioux are led by a trio of running backs (Isaiah Felicia, Cory Big Eagle and Nate Middletent) who have combined for 1,265 yards and 24 touchdowns. 

Senior Marley Carpenter is the Sioux’s top receiving threat with 12 receptions for 243 yards and six touchdowns. 

Lower Brule defeated McLaughlin 38-16 to advance to Saturday’s championship game. 

Tiospa Zina averages 42 points per game, but it is the Wambdi’s defense that is turning heads this season. After giving up 24 points in that season opener, Tiospa Zina shut out six consecutive opponents and only gave up six points in their 29-6 semifinal win over Omaha Nation. 

Quarterback D.J. Renville has thrown for 400 yards this season with six touchdown passes. Renville is the Wambdi’s leading rusher with 486 yards and nine touchdowns. The Wambdi are loaded at running back with Thomas Anderson III, Maclovio Campbell and Johnny Rivers combining for 817 yards and 18 touchdowns. 

Tiospa Zina has 12 interceptions this season with Anderson 111 (5) and Renville (3) leading the way. The Wambdi have recovered 10 fumbles this season with Javier Dominquez (3), Hoksila Thompson (2) and Carvin Fish (2) leading the way.