Class 9AA Semifinal Previews: Hamlin hosts Platte-Geddes in semifinal contest

No. 3 Platte-Geddes at No. 2 Hamlin

A pair of one-loss foes meet with a trip to the state championship on the line.

Platte-Geddes heads north to Hamlin on Friday at 7 p.m. in the state semifinals.

The Black Panthers held on to back-to-back narrow wins in the postseason with wins over Hanson (34-20) and Garretson (23-15). PG also has notable wins over Bon Homme (30-16), Kimball/White Lake (25-8) and Sioux Falls Lutheran (50-14). PG, riding an eight-game win streak, last lost on Aug. 28 against Parkston (30-6).

The Black Panthers are eyeing its first trip to the Class 9AA state championship since 2021 when PG won back-to-back titles against Canistota/Freeman and Hamlin.

PG is averaging 36.6 points per game while surrendering 13.9 points on defense. The Black Panthers are powered by senior and Gregory transfer Landon Keiser, who scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter against Garretson in the quarterfinals.

Hamlin enters the semifinals for the fifth straight season eyeing its first trip to the Dakota Dome since 2024 when it captured the Class 9AA state championship over Parkston, 32-8.

This season, the Chargers are riding a nine-game winning streak after a season-opening loss to Castlewood (46-34) on Aug. 21. Hamlin averages 47.5 points per game while giving up 13.3 points a game defensively.

Hamlin has notched notable wins over Britton-Hecla (34-22) and Garretson (56-21) before dominating Stanley County (52-0) and Great Plains Lutheran (55-12) in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

In the quarterfinal win over GPL, Hamlin's Boden Stevenson completed 12-of-13 pass attempts for 219 yards and six touchdowns, adding eight carries for 59 yards and a touchdown run as well. Trig Heinrich caught five passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns.

No. 4 Britton-Hecla at No. 1 Parkston

Britton-Hecla hits the road for a semifinal matchup with Parkston on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Braves (9-1) have held off Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (34-14) and Sioux Falls Lutheran (24-20) through the first two rounds of the playoffs. BH also has notable wins over Great Plains Lutheran (35-6) and Waubay/Summit (40-22). The Braves' lone loss was against Hamlin (34-22) back on Aug. 28.

Britton-Hecla is eyeing its first trip to the state football title game since 2019.

The Braves average 42 points per game while giving up 13.2 points a game defensively.

In the quarterfinal win over Sioux Falls Lutheran, Jace Rein completed 14 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, adding five tackles on defense. Bennett Suther paced the rushing attack with 23 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown as well.

Parkston is no stranger to the state semifinals, reaching the final four in each of the past six seasons, earning trips to the championship game in three of the past five seasons.

This season, the Trojans bolster an undefeated record with the best scoring offense and defense in the class, averaging 49.2 points per game while surrendering 7.6 points defensively.

In fact, Parkston has only allowed one scoring drive in the past four games, outscoring opponents 204-8 in that stretch. The Trojans defeated Hill City (50-0) and Bon Homme (44-2) in the postseason but also have notable wins over Platte-Geddes (30-6) and Kimball/White Lake (36-6) this season.

In the quarterfinal win over Bon Homme, Parkston's Brycen Bruening completed 10 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Mason Jervik rushed 14 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns, adding five catches for 148 yards and two more scores. Sean Deckert netted 96 yards of offense scoring a rushing and receiving touchdown while Radley Konrad had a rushing score as well.

No. 4 Britton-Hecla (9-1) at No. 1 Parkston (10-0), 7 p.m., CT

No. 3 Platte-Geddes (9-1) at No. 2 Hamlin (9-1), 7 p.m., CT