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Class 11AA Playoff Preview - Spearfish travels to Pierre for quarterfinal action
Spearfish's Thomas Hughes looks for an open receiver against Pierre on Oct. 18 in Pierre.
(Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)
Oct 30, 2024
 

By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Class 11AA has provided more questions than answers this season. 

The 11-team class has featured a number of teams ranked No. 1 in the South Dakota Prep Media Football Poll, and no undefeated teams remain as the playoffs start Thursday.

There are three teams with 7-2 records, one team with a 6-3 record and two teams with 5-4 records. 

No. 1 Yankton (7-2) hosts No. 8 Aberdeen Central (3-6). The teams did not play this season, but the Bucks won last season’s meeting 31-21. 

The Bucks enter the postseason on a five-game winning streak, including last week’s 80-14 romp over Mitchell. Yankton’s two defeats were against Watertown (27-13) and Class 11AAA power Harrisburg (49-14). 

The Bucks are scoring 40.3 points per game and are surrendering 13 points per game on defense. 

Aberdeen Central started the season with three straight losses, won three straight games and then finished the regular season with three straight defeats. Aberdeen Central averages 13.8 points per game on offense and 22.4 points per game on defense.

No. 2 Watertown (7-2) will host No. 7 Huron (4-5) in the first meeting this season between the Eastern South Dakota Conference teams. Watertown won last season’s meeting, 32-13.

Watertown’s two defeats were against Class 11AAA Jefferson (38-7) and Spearfish (27-20). The Arrows are on a three-game winning streak heading into the postseason. Watertown averages 31.6 points per game and allows 16 points per game on defense. 

Huron began the season 0-3, but won four of its final six games to end the regular season. Huron scores 16 points per game and allows 28.4 points per game on defense. 

No. 3 Brookings (7-2) hosts No. 6 Tea Area (5-4) and it is the second meeting this season. The Bobcats defeated the Titans, 29-22, on Oct. 4. Brookings’ two defeats were against Class 11AAA Roosevelt (26-21) and Yankton (24-7). The Bobcats average 25 points per game and allow 11.1 points per game on defense. 

Tea Area began the season 4-1, but stumbled down the stretch and lost three of its final four games. The Titans are coming off a 15-14 win over Class 11AAA Sioux Falls Washington. Tea Area scores 29.4 points per game and allows 17.7 points per game on defense. 

No. 4 Pierre (5-4) hosts No. 5 Spearfish (6-3) and it’s the second meeting in three weeks between the teams. Pierre defeated Spearfish, 35-15, on Oct. 18. The Governors lost four games in the middle of the season, but picked up three straight victories to close the regular season. Pierre averages 21 points per game and allows 19.3 points per game on defense. 

The Spartans sported a 6-1 record, but lost two straight games against Pierre (35-15) and Sturgis (15-10) to close out the regular season. Spearfish averages 26.4 points per game and allows 15.8 points per game on defense. 


No. 1 Yankton vs. No. 8 Aberdeen Central, 7 p.m., CT 

No. 4 Pierre vs. No. 5 Spearfish, 6 p.m., CT 

No. 2 Watertown vs. No. 7 Huron, 7 p.m., CT 

No. 3 Brookings vs. No. 6 Tea Area, 7 p.m., CT