By Jacob Wuertz and Ryan Deal

605 Sports

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. 

Pierre is in the midst of a Class 11AA dynasty and the favorite to win another state championship this season.

The Governors rallied past Tea Area for a heart-pounding state championship win last season, their fifth consecutive Class 11AA state championship. Pierre, which returns 35 letterwinners, was the unanimous No. 1 team in the preseason poll. 

The Governors were followed in the preseason poll by Tea Area, Yankton, Brookings and Mitchell. 

Team capsules (listed in alphabetical order): 

Brookings

Coach: Brady Clark

Last year’s record: 7-3 (lost to Aberdeen Central in Class 11AA quarterfinals)

Key returnees: Justin Cofell, senior; Tyson Brandt, senior; Israel Caldron, senior; Jackson Hoffmann, senior; Jaxton Eck; Carter Wright.

Top newcomers: Caleb Loehr, senior; James Olson, senior; Malachi Ramsey, junior; Braeden Stadler, junior; Max Hoppe, senior; Ryan Bauman, senior; Luke Hanson, junior; Drew Wilber, junior; Ethan Houtman, junior; Kalen Reisetter, junior; Cade Christianson, junior.

Outlook: The Brookings Bobcats return 26 letterwinners from last season, but return only four starters on offense and three on defense. While the Bobcats lost several key players to graduation, Coach Brady Clark noted that Brookings has “a lot of athletes that are excited about the opportunities ahead of them. We have a great group of core leaders that have done an exceptional job of holding our young guys accountable and helping them prepare for the upcoming season.” Some of those leaders for Brookings will include quarterback Justin Cofell, running backs Tyson Brandt and Israel Caldron, linebacker Jaxton Eck, and defensive end Carter Wright. Clark stated that the keys to a successful season will be “Continuing to build/spread our culture, establishing and building leaders early, staying healthy, developing depth, building confidence, and having consistent improvement and competition throughout the season.”

Huron

Coach: Dru Strand

Last year’s record: 2-7

Key returnees: Elliot DeVries, senior; Jackson Reno, junior; Conner Johnsen, junior; Quinston Luellman Clark, senior; Mason Davis, senior; Dillon Lichty, senior.

Top newcomers: Head Coach Dru Strand said, “We have a great group of Juniors that will be filtering into our lineup this year, which some had the opportunity to play a bit last year which will be huge for our team. We are excited to also gain some sophomores this year that will find a way into the mix on Friday nights as well.”

Outlook: The Huron Tigers will look to improve their win total this season after going 2-7 a year ago. The Tigers return several key players from last season's team that will contribute right away. First year head coach Dru Strand said “Our biggest challenge in the upcoming season for Huron football is numbers. We are hoping the 2022 season will start to build that type of culture in Huron with the kids, parents, and community support we have. We strive to be competitive at the 11AA level. The team is a very young energetic group of athletes that love to work hard.”

Pierre T.F. Riggs

Coach: Steve Steele

Last year’s record: 10-2 (fifth straight Class 11AA state championship)

Key returnees: Lincoln Kienholz, senior.; Jack Merkwan, senior.; Cade Kaiser, junior; Christian Busch, senior; Jett Zabel, junior; Matthew Coverdale, junior; Trey Lewis, junior; Brock Moser, junior; Jayden Wiebe, senior; Jacob Mayer, senior; Gavin Stotts, senior; Deegan Houska, senior; Chase Carda, senior; Emmit Andersen, junior.

Top newcomers: Jackson Edman, senior; Brecken Krueger, senior; E.J. Boutchee, sophomore; Matthew Brewer, junior; Spencer Skjonsberg, junior; Spencer Easland, junior; George Stalley, sophomore; Zayden Rounds, sophomore.

Outlook: Pierre is the five-time defending Class 11AA state champion entering 2022, and the Governors will be looking for a sixth straight crown this season. If the Governors succeed, it would match the mark set by West Central, which won six straight Class 11A titles from 2000-2005. Pierre returns 35 letterwinners, including seven starters on offense and defense. The Governors will be led by dual-threat quarterback and University of Washington commit Lincoln Kienholz, who currently has 5,678 passing yards and 58 touchdown passes in his career, along with 2,067 career rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. Kienholz will have plenty of weapons at his disposal, including wide receivers Jack Merkwan (1,593 receiving yards, 17 TD’s), Cade Kaiser (518 receiving yards, 6 TD’s), and tight end Jett Zabel (467 receiving yards, 4 TD’s). Defensively, the Governors will be led by linebackers Gavin Stotts (93 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks), Deegan Houska (92 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss), Chase Carda (53 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks), and defensive back Jacob Mayer (81 tackles, 5 INT’s). Head Coach Steve Steele said keys to a successful season will be “to fight complacency and stay competitive at practice every day so we can continue to build our depth to be ready as the season goes on.” Steele also said, “The biggest challenge will be building our lines on both sides of the ball.” Steele believes Tea Area, Yankton, Brookings, and Brandon Valley will be Pierre’s toughest opponents.

Spearfish

Coach: Dalton Wademan

Last year’s record: 4-5

Key returnees: Dawson Wood, junior; Kolter Robbins, junior; Isaiah Lahoe, senior; Brayden Delahoyde, junior; Bridger Niehaus, senior; Brady Hartwig, senior; Caden Langenfeld, junior; Carter Lyon, senior; Aiden Haught, senior.

Top newcomers: Seth Hamilton, junior; Hunter Walters, sophomore; Hudson Walters, senior.

Outlook: Spearfish will try to earn a spot in the 11AA playoffs after coming up short of a berth last season. The Spartans will return 16 letterwinners from last season, including five starters on offense and six on defense. Spearfish will need to replace several key players from last season, including filling in the voids on the offensive and defensive lines. Coach Dalton Wademan on the keys to a successful season: “The number one key to a successful season is a successful offseason. We have to have the numbers in the weight room attendance to have success on the field during the season. The second key is the ability to protect up front in the run game and in the pass game. If we can protect we will be able to get the ball in our playmakers hands and let them do their thing. On defense the key to success is pressure up front and allow our inside four to come through clean and make plays.” Wademan also noted that Yankton, Brookings, Mitchell, and Tea Area will be the Spartans toughest opponents.

Yankton's Rugby Ryken attempts a pass against Brookings. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Yankton

Coach: Brady Muth

Last year’s record: 6-5 (lost to Tea Area in Class 11AA semifinals)

Key returnees: Tyler Sohler, senior; Rugby Ryken, senior; Gavin Swanson, senior; Cody Oswald, senior; Cayson Stohr, senior; Dominic Antrobus, senior; Charlie Foote, senior; Rayner Roig, senior; Mac Ryken, senior; Cooper Grotenhuis, senior; Trevor Paulson, senior; Austin Gobel, junior.

Top newcomers: Luke Bernatow, senior; Jace McCorkell, senior; Shaylor Platt, junior; Tucker Gilmore, junior; Daylee LaPointe, junior; Lucas Kampshoff, junior; Matthew Sheldon, sophomore.