Editor’s Note: 605 Sports will unveil team preview capsules on all football classes leading up to the 2023 season openers. The information provided was submitted by coaches in response to an email sent by 605 Sports. 

Dell Rapids returned to the top of Class 11A last season, winning its first state championship since 2014. The Quarriers, who bring back 16 letterwinners, appear positioned to make another run this season. Among the returners are all-staters Jack Henry (a future Jackrabbit quarterback), Mason Stubbe, Treyse Eastman and Aiden Geraets.

Dell Rapids was tabbed No. 1 in the preseason Class 11A poll, garnering 14 of the 16 first-place votes. West Central, which finished as last season’s Class 11A runner-ups, is No. 2 in the preseason poll. 

Fellow Dak-12 conference members Sioux Falls Christian, Canton and Dakota Valley round out the top-five teams in the preseason rankings. 

Team capsules (listed in alphabetical order): 

Beresford

Coach: Scott Ebert (88-62 coaching record)  

Last year’s record: 8-3 

Key returnees: RB/DB, Jack Stenen, 6-0, 185, senior; TE/DE, Seth James, 6-5, 215, senior; OL, Cooper Nelson, 6-1, 225, junior; OL/DL, Kohen Schurch, 5-11, 215, junior; LB, Robert Watkins, 5-10, 170, senior; DB, Ryan Sveeggen, 5-11, 170, senior. 

Top newcomers: RB/LB, Colton Stene, 6-0, 195, junior; OL/DL, Joe Sharpe, 6-6, 260, junior; RB/DB, Gaval Valder, 5-11, 185, senior; WR/DB, Malachi James, 6-2, 175, sophomore; OL/DL, Andrew Niles, 6-5, 270, senior; OL/DL, Jace Adams, 5-10, 190, junior; WR/DB, Jax Fickbohm, 5-9, 160, junior. 

Outlook: The Watchdogs bring back 12 letterwinners — four starters on offense and five starters on defense — from last season’s 8-3 team. Jack Stenen is Beresford’s top returner, after rushing for 120 yards and one touchdown last season. He added 134 receiving yards and a touchdown reception. 

Beresford coach Scott Ebert identified health, weekly improvement and playing physical as keys to the success for the 2023 season. 

“Our guys understand what it takes to win and win consistently,” Ebert said. “Something that has not happened in the Beresford Watchdogs football program in 30 years. We also know that last season is in the past and this season provides a whole new set of challenges. We just have to continue to work harder.”

Ebert said Canton, Winner, Lennox, Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls Christian and Dakota Valley will be the team’s toughest regular-season opponents this season. He said Dell Rapids and West Central will be the top Class 11A teams this season. 

Custer 

Coach: Russ Bailey  

Last year’s record: 0-9 

Key returnees: RB/LB, Ryder Bailey, 5-10, 185, senior; QB/DB, Roland Sedlacek, 6-4, 185, junior; RB/DE, Colter Gerard, 5-10, 160, junior; WR/DB, Ethan Bader, 5-5, 120; RB/DB, Tyrin Scott, 6-0, 175, junior; OL/DL, Lane Geisner, 5-7, 170, junior; OL/DL, Kallin Thomas, 5-9, 235, junior; OL/DB, Leighton Sander, 5-8, 145, junior; OL/DL, Tanner Jackson, 6-2, 220, junior; OL/DL, Reid Saufley, 6-0, 180, junior; TE/DE, Kyle Virtue, 6-4, 195, junior; OL/DL, Peter Hernandez IV, 5-11, 215, senior.

Outlook: The Wildcats bring back a host of upperclassmen, notably juniors from last season’s winless team. Second-year coach Russ Bailey, however, hopes the team will make strides after playing significant snaps the past couple of seasons. 

“There is a large class of junior football players who have been starting for the last two years and they are no longer underclassmen,” Bailey said. “This season is a big question mark as to who will come out and who has tried to improve themselves. We are going to try to become more competitive this season and put a team on the field that will give the teams we play a great game.”

Dell Rapids

Coach: Jordan Huska (40-14 coaching record)  

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

Key returnees: OG, Ethan Kringen, 5-10, 205, senior; OT, Ryan McDaniel, 6-3, 230, senior; C/DL, Kale Evans, 5-10, 220, senior; QB/DB, Jack Henry, 6-3, 200, senior; RB/LB, Mason Stubbe, 6-0, 200, senior; FB, Sutton Williams, 5-10, 185, senior; LB/TE, Aiden Geraets, 6-1, 205, senior; DL/RB, Treyse Eastman, 5-11, 185, senior; DL/RB, Quinn Carr, 6-3, 220, junior; DB/RB, Cole Ruesink, 5-10, 175, junior. 

Top newcomers: DL/OL, Kain Burggraff, senior; DL/OL, Keaton Harvey, senior; DB/WR, John Mortrude, senior; DB/WR, Luke Schoolmeester, senior; DB/WR, Damiyen Artz, senior; DL/OL, Jaden Wittler, senior; DB/WR, Ethan VanDerWerf, junior; LB/WR, Tad Tjaden, junior; DB/WR, Braden Gruis, junior; DL/OL, Lincoln Fersdahl, junior; DB/WR, Isaac Tudor, junior; LB/FB, Jeremiah McDougall, junior; DL/OL, Carson Crosby, junior; LB/RB, Grady Lamer, junior; DB/QB, Cooper Frost, junior; DL/OL, Brandon Schmidt, junior; DL/OL, Gavin Miles, junior; DB/WR, Will Ronshaugen, junior; DL/OL, Dawson Hohn, junior; DB/RB, Lucas Keener, junior; LB/OL, Ian Zellmer, junior; DB/WR, Nick Snyder, junior; DB/WR, Cole Staskywicz, junior; Stefan Gillen, DL/OL, junior; Zach Hofer, DL/OL, junior; DB/WR, Gabe Jones, junior; DB/WR, Trent Johansen, junior.

Outlook: The Quarriers return 16 letterwinners — six starters on offense and seven starters on defense — from last season’s state championship season. Dell Rapids brings back four all-staters in Jack Henry, Mason Stubbe, Treyse Eastman and Aiden Geraets. Henry, a South Dakota State University football commit, threw for 740 yards and nine touchdowns last season, while rushing for 562 yards. Stubbe rushed for 1,077 yards and 21 touchdowns. 

Dell Rapids coach Jordan Huska said the team will depend on experience and depth as it eyes another state championship run. 

“We all need to continue to improve and get better one day at a time,” Huska said. “Defensively we have a lot of experience back from a year ago. We need to build on the experience we have returning and play at a high level defensively from the start. Offensively we have experience back as well but also have a few key holes to fill from graduation. Guys are working hard to step in and fill those holes. Like every year, we need guys who are working hard in the offseason to be able to play and execute once the season starts for us to be successful.”

Huska said Madison, Canton, Milbank, St. Thomas More and Dakota Valley will be Dell Rapids’ toughest opponents this season. He added Canton, Lennox, Sioux Falls Christian, Madison, Dakota Valley, West Central, Milbank and Vermillion are the top teams in Class 11A. 

Madison 

Coach: Joe Bundy  

Last year’s record: 4-6  

Key returnees: QB, Ben Brooks, 6-8, 220, junior; WR/RB/LB, Eli Barger, 6-1, 180, senior; WR/CB, Andrew Comes, 5-9, 160, senior; WR/CB, Carson Wolf, 5-6, 145, junior; OL, Ryan Morse, 6-2, 265, junior; OL, Israel Ouverson, 6-3, 310, junior; WR/S, Shane Veenhof, 6-0, 155, sophomore; DE, Braxton Bjorklund, 6-2, 215, senior; DL, Parker Johnson, 5-11, 285, senior; LB, Jordan Pedersen, 5-9, 165, junior. 

Top newcomers: OL/DL Thomas Mechels, 6-2, 250, senior; OL/DL, Cole Klingbile, 6-0, 225, junior; Lincoln Anderson, 5-10, 150, junior; WR/LB, Quinn Flemming, 5-7, 150, junior; LB, Tregg McGillivary, 5-9, 165, sophomore; WR/DB, Adonis Rodriguez, 6-2, 155, sophomore; WR/LB, Myles Schnieder, 6-3, 180, sophomore. 

Outlook: The Bulldogs return 18 letterwinners — seven starters on offense and seven starters on defense — from last season’s 4-6 campaign. Madison returns its starting quarterback Ben Brook, a 6-foot-8, 220-pounder who threw for 1,180 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 627 yards. Wide receiver Shane Veenhof hauled in 452 yards and three touchdown receptions last season. Madison also brings back defensive contributors in defensive end Braxton Bjorklund (55 tackles), defensive lineman Parker Johnson (30 tackles), linebacker Eli Barger (76 tackles/3 interceptions) and cornerback Andrew Comes (4 interceptions). 

“We will need to have guys step up and take leadership roles on the team,” Madison coach Joe Bundy said. “We’re a little more experienced at wide receiver and quarterback but will have new players at running back and offensive line. Our defense will have a nice mix of veterans and newbies. We will have to work hard to mesh as soon as we can. If we can play together and have good leadership we will have success this year.”

Bundy expects Dell Rapids, West Central and Sioux Falls Christian to be Madison’s toughest regular-season opponents. He said Dell Rapids, West Central, Sioux Falls Christian, Dakota Valley and Canton are the top Class 11A teams this season. 

Milbank 

Coach: Brian Allmendinger (96-46 coaching record) 

Last year’s record: 2-7 

Key returnees: QB, Garrett Mertens, 6-3, 170, senior; WR/CB, Jayden Johnson, 5-11, 160, senior; C, Raul Berrones, 6-1, 300, senior; G/DL, Jesse Schneck, 5-10, 205, junior; G, Oliver Korth, 6-1, 295, junior; OL, Jairek Frazee, 6-2, 350, senior; DE, Emmett Hanson, 6-1, 185, junior; DL, Landon Novy, 6-2, 295, senior; CB, Braylen Bowsher, 5-11, 165, sophomore; LB, Tate Schlueter, 6-2, 185, junior; LB, Joe French, 6-0, 165, junior. 

Top newcomers: RB/LB, Caleb Rick, 5-9, 185, senior; WR/DB, Johana Ajwanga, 6-4, 160, senior; WR/LB, Esteban Abrego, 6-0, 215, sophomore; RB/LB, Ethan Owen, 5-10, 170, sophomore.

Outlook: The Bulldogs bring back 13 letterwinners — six starters on offense and seven starters on defense — from last season’s 2-7 team. Milbank brings back quarterback Garrett Mertens, who passed for 896 yards and nine touchdowns last season, while rushing for 218 yards and four more scores. Wide receiver Jayden Johnson hauled in 160 yards and three touchdowns, while posting 25 tackles and an interception on defense. 

Milbank coach Brian Allmendinger hopes last season’s returners make a jump in development after seeing significant playing time last season. 

“We should have good size upfront on both sides of the ball,” Allmendinger said. “I also like the experience younger guys got last season. We had at least four freshmen who saw significant playing time last year.”

Allmendinger said Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls Christian and Dakota Valley are the team’s toughest opponents, while also the top teams in Class 11A.