The Chargers look for revenge in the 2025 season. After falling short of an undefeated season in the Class 11A championship last year, Sioux Falls Christian is primed for another shot at the title this season.

The Chargers sit atop the preseason poll rankings with 14 first-place votes and 78 total points, while defending champs Lennox totaled one first-place vote and 56 total points. Dell Rapids came in third with a first-place vote and 54 total points while West Central and Madison round out the top-5 with 31 and seven points, respectively.

Storylines to watch

Can Lennox reload for a title defense?: The Orioles lost several key players from last season's state championship team, including three all-state members, but still have four from last year’s all-state team. With a new transfer quarterback (Sioux Falls Roosevelt’s Jhaimann Huntington) at the helm, how quickly will the Orioles be able to put it all together?

Top-5 matchup in Week 1: Class 11A No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian and No. 4 West Central face-off this Friday at 7 p.m. The Chargers took two games against the Trojans last season, including a 31-7 win in the semifinals, but West Central could look for an early season upset in 2025.

Who else will emerge in 11A?: Three other teams received votes in the preseason poll, sitting not far behind for the No. 5 spot. Madison, Rapid City Christian, Dakota Valley and Canton are separated by just four points with plenty of football to figure out who deserves a top-5 ranking.

Players to watch

Note: These are returning all-stater players

Nicholas Popkes, Sioux Falls Christian: A 6-foot-2, 213-pound fullback/tight end, Popkes caught eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown a season ago.

Tate Gerdes, Lennox: Gerdes rushed for 907 yards in his junior season, adding 346 yards receiving. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound running back was a team captain for the champion Orioles last season as well.

Drake Mikkelson, Lennox: As a sophomore, Mikkelson totaled 923 receiving yards and 12 touchdown receptions for the Orioles. Mikkelson has already recorded over 1,500 receiving yards in his career with 20 total touchdowns.

Carson Maeschen, Dell Rapids: Maeschen was part of an offensive line that rushed for over 3,400 yards last season. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound lineman was an all-conference selection in 2023 and is a two-year starter for the Quarriers.

Jensen Pixler, Sioux Falls Christian: Pixler recorded 44 tackles (5.5 tackles for loss) and a sack in six games last season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker has recorded 120 tackles (18 tackles for loss) and six sacks in his career.

Kenny Swanson, Dell Rapids: Swanson totaled 68 tackles and two sacks during his junior campaign with the Quarriers. Swanson, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound linebacker, was an all-stater a year ago.

Jevyn Lefers, Lennox: Lefers netted 80 tackles (8 tackles for loss), three forced fumbles and recoveries and an interception for the state champion Orioles last season. The 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker started as a freshman for Lennox and tallied over 50 tackles two years ago.

Tate Connell, Sioux Falls Christian: A 5-foot-10, 175-pound defensive back, Connell recorded 67 tackles, two interceptions and three pass break-ups for the Chargers last season. Connell was also a member of the Dak-XII all-conference team last year.

Shane Veenhof, Madison: Veenhof was a lockdown corner for the Bulldogs. A 6-foot, 175-pound corner, Veenhof recorded 21 tackles, five pass break-ups, six interceptions and one pick-six last year. Veenhof has 11 interceptions in his career.

Brody Dybvig, Tri-Valley: Dybvig recorded 111 carries for 639 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, adding 134 receiving yards on nine receptions and two more scores. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior also netted 48  tackles and four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns in 2024.

Dawson Unruh, Sioux Falls Christian: A 5-foot-11, 200-pound linebacker/kicker, Unruh earned all-state honors for his kicking duties last season.

Talon Eich, Lennox: Eich totaled 417 yards and five touchdowns for Lennox as a junior. A 6-foot-2, 215-pound fullback/tight end, Eich is a 2-year starter for the Orioles.

Eli Mundahl, West Central: Mundahl averaged 42.4 yards per punt as a junior for the Trojans. A 6-foot, 195-pound punter, Mundahl pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line seven times last season as well.