Class 11AAA Semifinal Preview: Brandon Valley faces Sioux Falls Lincoln in highly anticipated championship rematch
Sioux Falls Lincoln's Brody Schafer runs for a touchdown earlier this season against Sioux Falls Jefferson at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)
No. 3 Brandon Valley at No. 2 Sioux Falls Lincoln
Brandon Valley faces Sioux Falls Lincoln at 5 p.m. on Friday at Howard Wood Field in rematch of the two previous Class 11AAA state championships.
The Lynx (8-2), the defending state champions, enter as the No. 3 seed due to its head-to-head loss against Lincoln (34-25) on Oct. 16. BV's only other loss was against No. 1 Sioux Falls Jefferson (20-14) on Sept. 18.
BV has picked up notable wins over O'Gorman (34-21), Harrisburg (38-12) and Sioux Falls Roosevelt on back-to-back weeks, including a 42-0 win in the quarterfinals.
The Lynx are averaging 33.8 points per game on offense, while giving up 12.1 points per game on defense.
In the quarterfinal win over Roosevelt, Tate Carda completed six passes for 105 yards and three touchdowns, completing two passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns to Jack Blomgren. Blomgren added a 75-yard touchdown run as well.
Lincoln has certainly found its groove after a 1-2 start to the season, rattling off seven straight wins, including wins over Brandon Valley and Harrisburg (42-21). The Patriots topped Sioux Falls Washington, 42-7, in the quarterfinals on Oct. 29.
Lincoln averages 42.1 points per game while surrendering 19.3 points a game on defense.
In the quarterfinal win over Washington, quarterback Brody Schafer completed 19-of-25 pass attempts for 309 yards and five touchdowns. Everett Starks had five catches for 121 yards and three touchdowns, Jace Weber added seven receptions for 79 yards and two scores while Kellen Blaalid rushed 20 times for 116 yards.
No. 4 Harrisburg at No. 1 Sioux Falls Jefferson
A rematch from the season-opener rears its head with a trip to the DakotaDome on the line.
No. 4 Harrisburg meets No. 1 Sioux Falls Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. at Howard Wood Field in the Class 11AAA semifinals.
The Tigers (6-4) defeated O'Gorman for the second time this season in the quarterfinals, 41-24, on Oct. 29. Harrisburg beat the Knights 21-20 back on Sept. 12. Harrisburg lost to Jefferson, 43-20, in the season-opener, and also has losses against Brandon Valley (38-12), Omaha North (27-7) and Sioux Falls Lincoln (42-21).
Harrisburg averages 31.5 points per game while giving up 22.3 points per contest on defense.
In the quarterfinals against O'Gorman, Jonah Young completed 21-of-31 pass attempts for 219 yards and a touchdown while David Doe added 29 carries for 201 yards and three touchdowns.
Jefferson enters the quarterfinals as the lone unbeaten team in the state's largest class. The Cavaliers have topped notable top teams in the class such as Sioux Falls Lincoln (42-14), Brandon Valley (20-14), O'Gorman (59-35) and Harrisburg (43-20).
Sioux Falls Jefferson bolsters the highest scoring offense in the class, averaging 47.7 points per game while giving up 13.8 points a game on defense.
Jefferson's Cason Mediger completed 12-of-17 pass attempts for 304 yards and five touchdowns, completing five passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns to Jase Unzen in the quarterfinal win over Rapid City Central. Matnel Jensen added a 76-yard touchdown reception, an 88-yard kick return touchdown and an interception on defense.
No. 4 Harrisburg (6-4) at No. 1 Sioux Falls Jefferson (10-0) 5 p.m., CT
No. 3 Brandon Valley (8-2) at No. 2 Sioux Falls Lincoln (8-2), 7:30 p.m., CT