Editor’s Note: 605 Sports will unveil team preview capsules on all football classes leading up to the 2022 season openers. The information provided was submitted by coaches in response to an email sent by 605 Sports. 

By Jacob Wuertz and Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Class 11A, which has been dominated by the Dakota XII Conference, stayed true to form last season.

Madison blanked Milbank, 31-0, for last season’s Class 11A state championship and the 12th straight season a Dakota XII team won a championship in the class. 

The conference made up of southeast South Dakota teams will again be the cream of the crop in 11A. Madison, West Central, Canton, Dell Rapids and Dakota Valley were the top five teams, respectively, in the preseason poll. Dakota XII members Beresford, Lennox, Sioux Falls Christian and Vermillion were receiving votes in the preseason rankings.  

Beresford

Coach: Scott Ebert

Last year’s record: 7-4 (lost to Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan in the Class 11B semifinals)

Key returnees: Tate VanOtterloo, senior; Peyton Fridrich, senior; Michael Schegrud, senior; Jake Goblirsch, senior; Jaxsen Tadlock, senior; Landon Schurch, senior; Aaron Larson, senior; Zach Boden, senior; Alex Jensen, senior.

Top newcomers: Robert Watkins, junior; Colton Stene, sophomore; Cooper Nelson, sophomore; Ryne Klungseth, senior; Gaval Valder, junior; Ryan Sveeggen, junior; Jack Stenen, junior; Kohen Schurch, sophomore; Andrew Niles, sophomore; Landon Kroger, junior; Seth James, junior.

Outlook: Beresford moves up to Class 11A after being a regular in Class 11B for many years. The Watchdogs return 20 letterwinners, including eight starters on offense and defense, from a semifinal team a year ago. Beresford will be led on offense by quarterback Tate VanOtterloo, who passed for 1,340 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, and running back Peyton Fridrich, who rushed for 843 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, the Watchdogs are led by linebackers Jaxsen Tadlock (52 tackles) and Zach Boden (49 tackles), as well as defensive lineman Landon Schurch (47 tackles, six sacks, 11 TFL). Beresford coach Scott Ebert said, “We return a very large part of last year’s team and that is exciting. This is the fastest team we’ve had - and one of the most athletics teams by the numbers from our testing.” Ebert expects West Central and Canton to be among the best teams in Class 11A.

Canton

Coach: Rich Lundstrom

Last year’s record: 8-2 (lost to Class 11A runner-up Milbank in quarterfinals)

Key returnees: Josh Merkle, senior; Canaan McCracken, junior; Kale Ask, senior; Tayt Aasheim, senior; Beau Williams, senior; Cain Wallner, sophomore; Matt Anderson, junior; Avery Herting, senior; Derek Tieszen, senior.

Top newcomers: Arthur Benoit, junior; Biruk VanDeStroet, sophomore; Carson Metzger, sophomore; Teague Granum, sophomore; Pat Strand, senior; Dallas King, junior; Rylan Larson, sophomore; Chance Riley, sophomore; Thomas Baumann, senior; Hunter Richmond, sophomore; Traun Cook, junior; Casey Sheridan, junior; Pierce Mastalir, junior; Nick Vaksdal, senior; Seth Plucker, senior; Brayden Oakland, senior. 

Outlook: Canton will attempt to push for another state championship run after coming up short the last two years. The C-Hawks won the Class 11A championship in 2019, then finished runner-up in 2020, before being upended by Milbank in the Class 11A quarterfinals last season. Though the C-Hawks graduated several key players from last year’s squad, many newcomers will step in to fill the open voids. Coach Rich Lundstrom said, “We have a very tough schedule. 11A is going to be a great battle this year.”

Chamberlain

Coach: Jeff Rademacher

Last year’s record: 2-7

Key returnees: Cruz Soulek, junior; Noah Hutmacher, senior; Peyton Hora, junior; Canyon Burkard, junior; Sawyer Donovan, junior; Devyn Anderson, junior; Ty Graesser, senior; C.J. Yost, junior; Suede Reis, senior.

Top newcomers: Bryce Reuer, junior; Rayden Haak, junior; Levi Miller, junior; Dusty Rose, sophomore.

Outlook: Chamberlain returns 16 letterwinners from a 2-7 season in 2021. The Cubs return six starters on offense and five on defense, but will be replacing several key players from a season ago. Running back/linebacker Noah Hutmacher (152 tackles) will lead the team on both sides of the ball, while Cruz Soulek will again take the reins at quarterback after throwing for 1,320 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Ty Graesser returns as the top receiver, tallying 18 receptions for 303 yards. Graesser will also be a key player on defense (70 tackles, three interceptions). Coach Jeff Rademacher noted that “There are several keys to a successful season, and it starts with the attitudes of everyone involved in the program. For us, we need to look forward and create consistency and build on that consistency.” Rademacher said he expects Canton, Dell Rapids, and Lennox to be the Cubs’ toughest opponents.

Custer

Coach: David Williams

Last year’s record: 1-8

Key returnees: Bradley Immormino, senior; Reid Saufley, sophomore; Lane Geisner, sophomore; Leighton Sander, sophomore; Zayne Severyn, junior; Kyle Virtue, sophomore; Tyrin Scott, sophomore; Parker Noem, junior; Roland Sedlacek, sophomore; Rhett Lowe, sophomore; Quade Parker, senior.

Top newcomers: Danny Immormino, freshman; Clayton Maude, freshman; Riley Willaby, freshman; Brady Virtue, freshman; Ryder Bailey, junior; Grady Lehrkamp, junior.

Outlook: The Custer Wildcats will look to improve after a 1-8 season a year ago. Custer returns 17 letterwinners, including seven starters on offense and six on defense. The Wildcats will need to replace their entire backfield, but will be anchored by four year starters Bradley Immormino and Quade Parker on the offensive and defensive lines. Head Coach David Williams said, “We have a young team and learning to play together and work hard in the off-season could make us very competitive against some of the bigger schools in 11A. We have a very talented team coming up in the younger grades. We just have to keep pushing them to do the small things that make a great team.” Williams also noted that he expects Canton and Madison to be the top teams in Class 11A.

Dell Rapids

Coach: Jordan Huska

Last year’s record: 7-4 (lost to state champion Madison in the Class 11A semifinals)

Key returnees: Ryler Evans, senior; Camden Justice, senior; Brayden Pankonen, senior; Braden Fersdahl, senior; Ethan Kringen, junior; Chase Jones, senior; Will Jaton, senior; Kale Evans, junior; Mason Stubbe, junior; Aiden Geraets, junior; Jack Henry, junior.

Top newcomers: Sam Cavigielli, senior; Austin Harvey, senior; Owen Nelson, senior; Luke Randall, senior; Ethan Ten Eyck, senior; Austin Cox, senior; Evan Nelson, senior; Carter Traill, senior; Kain Burggraff, junior; Treyse Eastman, junior; Keaton Harvey, junior; Ryan McDaniel, junior; John Mortrude, junior; Luke Schoolmeester, junior; Sutton Williams, junior; Rhett Kloth, junior; Damiyen Artz, junior; Riley Bruns, junior; Jaden Wittler, junior; Max Nelson, junior; Jaden Wajer, junior.

Outlook: Dell Rapids will look to be back in the championship hunt after losing to eventual champion Madison in the Class 11A semifinals last season. The Quarriers bring back 15 letterwinners, including five starters on offense and eight on defense. Key offensive players will be running back Brayden Pankonen, wide receiver Braden Fersdahl, and tight end Camden Justice. Key defensive players will be Pankonen, Chase Jones, Will Jaton, and Ryler Evans. Head Coach Jordan Huska noted that Canton, Madison, Dakota Valley, Milbank, and St. Thomas More will be the Quarriers toughest opponents. Huska said, “Everyone needs to be better. Defensively we have a lot of experience back from a year ago. We need to build off of the foundation that was set a year ago, and play at a high level defensively from the start. Offensively we have a few key guys back but also have a few holes to fill from graduation.”

Lennox

Coach: Matthew Luze

Last year’s record: 5-4

Key returnees: Tristan Butler, junior; Jase Langbehn, senior; Cody Peterson, senior; Hayden Herlyn, senior; Trey Gerdes, junior; Conner Eich, senior; Porter Ihnen, junior; Braeden Wulf, senior; Gabe Beman, senior; Carter Benning, junior; Landon Slack, senior; Layne Kuper, senior.

Top newcomers: Lance Spieler, senior; Zach Rezac, senior; Ethan Eli, senior; Austin Richter, senior; Caden Iken, senior; Austin Strasser, senior; Ethan Schroeder, senior; Dominic DeBoer, junior; Lucas Bontje, junior; Ashton Bach, junior; Talan Diercks, junior; Nate Haar, sophomore; Emory Lefers, sophomore; Corban Hanneman, sophomore.

Outlook: Lennox will look to improve on their 5-4 record from a season ago, and with 22 letterwinners back, the Orioles will have plenty of experience to do just that. Eight starters return on offense, while seven return on defense for the Orioles. Lennox returns four offensive linemen, along with quarterback Braeden Wulf (1,710 passing yards, eight touchdowns; 382 rushing yards, eight touchdowns). Wulf will have plenty of weapons to throw to, including wide receiver Porter Ihnen and tight ends Trey Gerdes and Conner Eich. On defense, linebacker Jase Langbehn returns after recording 100 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. Linebacker Carter Benning (67 tackles) and safety Landon Slack (60 tackles) also lead the defense. Coach Matthew Luze noted that staying healthy and developing depth will be the keys to a successful season. Luze said, “We have a strong upperclassmen group that have played a lot and know what it takes to compete in the Dakota 12. We’ll be leaning on their leadership this year.”  Luze also stated that Canton, West Central, Dell Rapids, and Dakota Valley will be the top teams in Class 11A.

Madison’s Lucas Johnson recovers a fumble in the Class 11A state championship game last season. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

 

Madison

Coach: Joe Bundy

Last year’s record: 12-0 (Class 11A state champions)

Key returnees: Bruce Galde, senior; Jackson Lembcke, senior; Lucas Johnson, senior; Israel Ouverson, sophomore; Parker Johnson, junior; Gavin Hoff, senior; Joe Gors, senior; Caden DeVries, senior; Sutton Bern, senior.

Outlook: The Madison Bulldogs brought home their fourth state championship last season, defeating Milbank 31-0 in the Class 11A championship game. This season the Bulldogs must replace several key starters, as well as their head coach. Madison will lean on its senior class and will need younger players to step into lead roles early. First year head coach Joe Bundy said, “We have a lot of guys stepping into the starting role at the skill positions. Getting those guys comfortable with their assignments and understanding how we want to play will be the first order of business.” Bundy also noted his keys to a successful season, stating, “We will need to have patience with our young and talented skill positions. We have some really solid linemen on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, so we will need to lean on them especially in the beginning of the season.”

Milbank

Coach: Brian Allmendinger

Last year’s record: 8-4 (lost to Madison in Class 11A state championship)

Key returnees: Sawyer Gauer, senior; Eli Johnson, senior; Aidan Foell, senior.

Top newcomers: Barrett Schneck, senior; Jackson Bohlen, senior; Brayden Christensen, senior; Tice Mursu, senior; Jairek Frazee, junior; Jayden Johnson, junior; Garrett Mertens, junior; Conner Stricherz, junior; Landon Novy, junior; Raul Berrones, junior; Tanner Hallquist, senior.

Outlook: Milbank returns 10 letterwinners from a runner-up finish a year ago, including two starters on offense and three on defense. The Bulldogs will rely on running back Sawyer Gauer (81 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns; 114 receiving yards, three touchdown receptions) and tight end Eli Johnson on offense, while Gauer, Johnson, and Aidan Foell will lead the defense. Head Coach Brian Allmendinger, when referring to the team’s biggest challenges, said “We graduated 19 seniors and many of them were key players for us. So, we will need some of the younger, inexperienced guys to step up and fill those positions.” Allmendinger also noted that Milbank’s toughest opponents will be Dell Rapids, West Central, and Madison.

Sioux Falls Christian's Tayton Snyder looks to attempt a pass against Dell Rapids last season. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

 

Sioux Falls Christian

Coach: Jared Smith 

Last year’s record: 4-6

Key returnees: Tucker Kooiman, senior; Tate Van Horssen, senior; Riley Zomermaand, senior; Conner Swier, senior; Tayton Snyder, senior; Carter Van Donge, senior; Johnny Skyberg, junior; James Woodward, senior; Max Kaarre, senior; Kade VanEgdom, junior.

Top newcomers: Mason Furth, senior; Cole Snyder, sophomore; Kaden VanOtterloo, junior; Mason Brouwer, junior; Britton Mulder, sophomore; Brayden Witte, sophomore; Ross Sjaarda, junior; Paul Hoekman, sophomore; Jacob Cogdon, sophomore; Lincoln Semchenko, sophomore. 

Outlook: The Chargers return a host of experience, including 21 returning letterwinners, eight starters on offense and seven starters on defense. Offensively, Tayton Snyder threw for 687 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 313 yards and five touchdowns in five starts at quarterback. Carter Van Donge has proven to be a productive wide receiver, hauling in 87 receptions for 1,159 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career. Defensively, linebackers Max Kaare (102 tackles) and Kade VanEdgom (89 tackles) anchor the unit. Defensive back Johnny Skyberg recorded 76 tackles and two interceptions. Sioux Falls Christian coach Jared Smith pointed to Canton, Dell Rapids, Lennox and West Central as top teams in Class 11A. “The keys to a successful season will be our ability to run the football and stop the run on defense,” Smith said. “I’m excited about the experience that our team brings back this year. This is a group that believes in each other.”