Lower Brule’s quest for a four-peat will be in a different class this season. 

The Sioux have won the past three All-Nations Football Conference Class 9B state championships, but the program “petitioned to move up in class to face tougher competition,” said the school’s superintendent Lance Witte. 

The Class 9A teams include: Cheyenne-Eagle Butte/Tiospaye Topa, Little Wound, Lower Brule, Mahpiya Luta, Pine Ridge, St. Francis, Todd County and Winnebago, Nebraska. 

The Class 9B teams include: Crazy Horse, Crow Creek, Flandreau Indian, Marty, McLaughlin, Omaha Nation, Nebraska, Tiospa Zina and White River. McLaughlin moved down from Class 9A to Class 9B this season. 

Storylines to watch 

Lower Brule looking for a four-peat: The Sioux have turned into an All-Nations Football Conference powerhouse, winning the last three Class 9B state championships. The Sioux were rarely tested last season, finishing with seven shutout wins and a 60-8 win over White River in the state championship. With three all-state players back, the Sioux are primed for another trip to the DakotaDome in Vermillion. 

Lower Brule vs. Todd County in opener: Lower Brule will face Class 9A power Todd County in the season opener on Aug. 28. The programs have experienced loads of success since the All-Nations Football Conference inception in 2019, and is a marquee game in Week 1. 

Pine Ridge in pursuit of return trip to Vermillion: The Pine Ridge Thorpes made school history last season, winning their first-ever state football championship. The Thorpes knocked off Winnebago, Nebraska, in a 42-40 double overtime victory. Pine Ridge’s quest for a repeat will have to be without the services of all-state quarterback and last year’s Class 9A offensive player of the game winner Marvin Richard III. Richard III, an all-state basketball player committed to the University of South Dakota, is not playing football and instead is golfing this fall. 

Players to watch

Note: These players were all-state selections last season. 

Adarius Flemister, Winnebago: A 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior running back/linebacker, Flemister was an all-state running back last season, rushing for 1,325 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

Nate Middletent, Lower Brule: A 6-foot-1, 230-pound senior running back/linebacker, Middletent was an all-state running back in 2024. He rushed for 1,111 yards and 29 touchdowns. 

Jared Doxey, Winnebago: A 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior tight end/defensive end, Doxey was an all-state offensive lineman in 2024. 

Ashton LaPointe, Winnebago: A 6-foot-1, 275-pounder, LaPointe was an all-state offensive lineman last season as a junior. 

Destinn Straighthead, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte/Tiospaye Topa: Straighthead, a 6-foot-1, 260-pound senior lineman, posted 44 tackles and three sacks last season as an all-state defensive lineman. 

Carver Rahn, Todd County: A 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior lineman, Rahn recorded 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four sacks as an all-state defensive lineman in 2024. 

Kendrick Easter, Todd County: A 6-foot-1, 175-pound senior running back/linebacker, Easter posted 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and three pass deflections last season as an all-state linebacker. 

Nicolas Flute, Lower Brule: Flute posted 43 tackles and one sack as an all-state linebacker in 2024. 

Elijah Whitebear, Winnebago: Whitebear, a 5-foot-8, 145-pound senior quarterback/defensive back, posted 26 tackles and five interceptions as an all-state defensive back in 2024. 

Kristin Cayou, Omaha Nation: Cayou was an all-state special teams player last season, playing running back, defensive back, kick returner and long snapper for the Chiefs. 

Isaiah Felicia, Lower Brule: A 5-foot-8, 170-pound senior running back/linebacker, Felicia was an all-state athlete last season, finishing with 710 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. 

Keesan Kaaihue, Omaha Nation: Kaaihue was an all-state honorable mention selection last season. He passed for 548 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for 677 yards and 11 more scores. 

Raiden DeCora, Winnebago: A 5-foot-9, 180-pound junior fullback/linebacker, DeCora posted 47 tackles, six sacks, 12 tackles for loss and one interception as an all-state honorable mention selection in 2024. 

Jacoby Carry Moccasion, McLaughlin: Carry Moccasin was an all-state honorable mention selection in 2024, posting 25 tackles and six pass breakups. 

Angelo Jones, Winnebago: Jones was an all-state honorable mention selection as a junior in 2024. He posted 47 tackles, six interceptions and two sacks. 

Ladanian Crazy Thunder, Pine Ridge: A 6-foot-2, 155-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back, Crazy Thunder totaled 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five interceptions and three sacks as an all-state honorable mention pick in 2024. 

Draymond Bertucci, Omaha Nation: Bertucci was an all-state honorable mention selection in 2024, totaling 48 tackles and 12 sacks on defense.