Class 9A Football Preview – Freeman Flyers open as top-ranked team in first season back since 2014

A brand-new field in Class 9A football brings plenty of questions in 2026.

The Freeman Flyers, previously Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy, has dropped to 9A and opens as the No. 1 team in the preseason Prep Media Poll, receiving 14 first-place votes. Freeman will suit up as the Flyers in football for the first time since 2014 this season.

Howard, which took runner-up last season, is second with four first-place votes. The Class 9AA runner-up a year ago, Elkton-Lake Benton, sits third in 9A to open the season with a first-place vote, while Kimball/White Lake and Castlewood (one first-place vote) round out the top-5 media rankings.

Storylines to Watch

Class 9AA championship squads move to 9A: Both teams from last season’s Class 9AA championship have made the move to 9A this season. Freeman (Formerly Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy) defeated Elkton-Lake Benton, 46-22, in last season’s 9AA state championship and will now return as the Flyers in 2026.

A whole new landscape in Class 9A: On top of the two 9AA championship teams, a total of 11 new teams from 9AA and 9B have moved into 9A, including Bennett County, Canistota, Corsica-Stickney, De Smet, Faulkton Area, Kimball/White Lake, Redfield, Scotland/Menno and Sully Buttes.

Can Howard continue its DakotaDome streak?: The Tigers have made a living in the DakotaDome with four trips in the past five seasons, including championships in 2021 and '24. The Tigers graduated five seniors, including two all-staters, and will have a brand-new challenge in 2026.

Players to Watch

Note: These are returning all-state players

Kolt Becker, Howard: Becker was an all-state fullback in 2025. He totaled 1,697 yards rushing on 195 carries and scored 25 touchdowns during his junior season. He has rushed for 2,721 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career.

Evan Haak, Alcester-Hudson: Haak was an all-state offensive lineman last season as a junior. He helped the Cubs rush for 2,180 yards and pass for 1,253 yards, totaling 45 touchdowns. He’s totaled 54 tackles and eight sacks in three years for the Cubs.

Kamden Keszler, Castlewood: Keszler was an all-state linebacker last season. During his junior campaign, Keszler recorded 79 tackles (20 tackles for loss), 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. Keszler has committed to play college football at Division II Augustana University.

Broc Bauer, Timber Lake: Bauer was a Class 9A all-state wide receiver during his sophomore campaign. He finished last season with 58 catches for 950 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. Entering his junior season, Bauer has 1,129 yards receiving and 13 touchdown receptions.

Quinten De Vries, Corsica-Stickney: De Vries was a Class 9B all-state defensive lineman in 2025. He totaled 59 tackles (eight tackles for loss) and five sacks during his junior season. In his career, De Vries has 84 tackles (nine tackles for loss) and six sacks.

Kamrynn Rhodes, Faulkton Area: Rhodes was a Class 9B all-state linebacker in 2025. He recorded 83 tackles (seven tackles for loss), two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one safety during his junior season. He has totaled 109 career tackles.

Payson Acheson, Canistota: Acheson was last season’s Class 9B special teams all-state selection. He tallied 11 punt returns, averaging 30.4 yards per return and averaged 10.2 yards per return on 13 kickoffs.

Hunter Nankivel, Freeman: Nankivel was an all-state offensive lineman last season, blocking for an offense that produced 1,810 yards rushing and 2,373 yards passing, totaling 66 touchdowns.

Easton Tschetter, Freeman: Tschetter earned Class 9AA all-state defensive back honors last season as a sophomore. Last season, Tschetter collected 104 tackles (5.5 tackles for loss), three interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a pick-six and a punt return for a touchdown. He has totaled 143 tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries so far in his career.

Chevy Fees, Kimball/White Lake: Fees was a force for the KWL defense last season, recording 101 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Entering his junior season, Fees has 121 tackles and four interceptions. Last season, he broke the school record for most tackles in a season.