Pierre and Tea Area clashed in a Class 11AA state championship thriller last season and they’re on track to meet again.

The Governors rallied for a 30-27 win over the Titans for their fifth consecutive Class 11AA state championship. This season, Pierre handed Tea Area its lone defeat of the season, a 35-30 decision in Pierre. 

They’re the top two seeds in the playoffs and are two wins away from a rematch at the DakotaDome. Pierre’s road to Vermillion starts with No. 8 Sturgis on Thursday and the winner plays Yankton or Brookings in the semifinals. 

Pierre has put together another dominant campaign, both offensively and defensively. The Governors are scoring 48.6 points per game, while they are allowing just 13.4 points a contest. 

The Bucks and Bobcats will meet for the second time this season. Yankton handed Brookings a 38-27 setback on Sept. 30 in Brookings. The Bucks will host Thursday’s quarterfinal contest. 

Tea Area will face Watertown in Thursday's quarterfinal round. The Titans topped the Arrows, 39-6, in the season finale on Oct. 20 in Watertown. Tea Area’s signature win was a seesaw 44-41 win over Class 11AAA Sioux Falls O’Gorman on Sept. 9 in Tea. The Titans have outscored their opponents by 28.4 points this season and are scoring 42.1 points per game. 

The Tea Area vs. Watertown winner will play Aberdeen Central or Spearfish in the semifinals. The Golden Eagles will host the Spartans in their first meeting this season. Aberdeen Central began the season with three straight losses to Pierre, Tea Area and Sturgis. The Golden Eagles then strung together five consecutive wins to secure the No. 3 in the playoffs. 

No. 8 Sturgis (4-5) at No. 1 Pierre (9-0), 7 p.m.

No. 5 Brookings (5-4) at No. 4 Yankton (5-4), 7 p.m.

No. 7 Watertown (3-6) at No. 2 Tea Area (8-1), 6 p.m.

No. 6 Spearfish (4-5) at No. 3 Aberdeen Central (5-4), 6 p.m.