The two teams that played for last season’s state 11AAA championship, Sioux Falls Lincoln and Brandon Valley, open as the top dogs of the state’s biggest class. The Patriots and Lynx open the season tied for first in the preseason prep media poll with each receiving 67 total points, while BV edged Lincoln in first-place votes receiving eight of the 15. Harrisburg tallied 42 total points in third place, Sioux Falls Jefferson sits fourth with 37 total points while Sioux Falls O’Gorman rounds out the top-5 with 23 total points

Storylines to watch

Will anyone challenge the top dogs?: With Brandon Valley and Sioux Falls Lincoln sitting in a tie for first-place in the preseason poll, the other teams in 11AAA have a chance to throw their hat in the ring. Harrisburg returns four all-staters from last season and are poised to make a run as well.

How much longer can Lincoln stay on top?: The Patriots have one back-to-back 11AAA championships for the first time since 2013 and ‘14. Lincoln brings back three all-staters from last season, including junior quarterback Brody Schafer, but will have to reload for a second straight title defense.

State championship rematch in October: We could see an early preview of this season’s championship. Sioux Falls Lincoln and Brandon Valley faceoff on Oct. 3 in Brandon, and could be a good eye test as to where those teams sit midway through the season.

Players to watch

Note: These are returning all-staters.

Brody Schafer, Sioux Falls Lincoln: Schafer completed 67% of his throws with 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions for the state champion Patriots. Schafer also rushed for 694 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore quarterback for Lincoln.

Edward Whiting, Sioux Falls Jefferson: Whiting, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound tight end, caught 29 passes for 383 yards and six touchdowns last season. Whiting is a two-year starter and is a Michigan State football commit.

Weiland Benbo, Rapid City Central: Benbo rushed 103 times for 437 yards and a touchdown for the Cobblers last season. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound fullback also caught nine passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, recording 73 tackles and a sack on defense.

Josiah Heinz, Harrisburg: Heinz returns to the Tigers after totaling 1,408 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last season. The 6-foot, 210-pound back also caught 17 passes for 218 yards and three receiving yards as well.

Levi Veskrna, Brandon Valley: Veskrna rushed for 928 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns for the runners-up Lynx. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound has over 1,700 rushing yards in his career.

Daevion Simonsen, Sioux Falls Jefferson: Simonsen rushed for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns for Jefferson last season. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound running back also caught 14 passes for 82 yards for the Cavaliers.

Mikey Roche, Sioux Falls Lincoln: Roche, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound receiver, caught 45 passes for 515 yards and six touchdowns. Roche also tallied eight carries for 41 yards as well.

Hudson Parliament, Brandon Valley: Parliament, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman, anchored a running game that totaled 1,978 yards, adding 1,368 yards through the air. Parliament is a University of Iowa football commit as well.

Cael Nofziger, Sioux Falls Jefferson: Nofziger recorded 59 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions as a junior for the Cavaliers. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound defensive lineman also forced four fumbles, adding two defensive touchdowns last season.

Mekhi Zacher, Sioux Falls Lincoln: Zacher totaled 30 tackles, four sacks and two pass break-ups a season ago for Lincoln. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound defensive lineman has 55 tackles and seven sacks in his career.

Bradley Esser, Harrisburg: Esser recorded 84 tackles (12 tackles for loss) with four pass break-ups a year ago. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound linebacker is a returning all-stater for the Tigers.

Nolan Pudwill, Brandon Valley: Pudwill had 27 tackles with three interceptions for the Lynx as a junior. The 6-foot, 175-pound defensive back has five career interceptions with a kick return and punt return touchdown, earning all-ESD and all-Metro conference honors last season.

Kian Upton, Harrisburg: Upton averaged 40 yards a punt for Harrisburg as a junior,  including four punts landing inside the 20-yard line. Upton also has 36 touchbacks in his career.

Jhace Woods, Sioux Falls Washington: Woods caught 35 passes for 406 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior for the Warriors. A 6-foot-2, 190-pound receiver, Woods also completed one pass for 37 yards and a score. Woods is a South Dakota State football commit.

Kamden Schimmel, Harrisburg: Schimmel finished his junior year with 64 tackles (8 tackles for loss) and seven pass break-ups for the Tigers. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound back was a 2024 all-conference honorable mention selection.

Jack Day, Rapid City Stevens: Day has returned three kicks for touchdowns, totaling 1,060 all-purpose yards as a junior. He tallied 38 receptions for 690 yards and 10 touchdowns as well.