Sioux Falls Lincoln held the distinction of winning the first two Class 11AAA state football championships, when the seven-class model was instituted in 2013. The Patriots won back-to-back state championships in 2013 and ‘14. 

Lincoln hasn’t been at the DakotaDome since and has watched other Sioux Falls metro powers hoist the Class 11AAA trophy in recent years.  

The Patriots have their eyes set on snapping the championship drought this season. Lincoln (9-0) is the last undefeated team in the state’s largest class and looks prime for a championship run. 

Lincoln has outscored its opponents by a 42.1 points per game margin and has won every game by double figures. Lincoln’s closest margin of victory was a 35-20 win over Harrisburg. The Patriots will kick off their playoff campaign Thursday against Rapid City Stevens, which lost to Lincoln (65-6) on Sept. 29.

Harrisburg and Sioux Falls O’Gorman earned the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, respectively, after both finished with 7-2 marks. Harrisburg secured the No. 2 seed after edging O’Gorman in the regular-season finale, 19-17. 

A rematch would be in the semifinals, if they both take care of their first-round opponents. Harrisburg will host Sioux Falls Washington (2-7) on Thursday. Harrisburg nipped Washington, 27-24, on Sept. 29.

Sioux Falls O’Gorman will host Sioux Falls Roosevelt (3-6) in the playoff opener on Thursday. The Knights coasted past the Rough Riders, 77-20, on Sept. 1. 

In the other first-round contest, Brandon Valley (6-3) will host Sioux Falls Jefferson (6-3). The Lynx defeated the Cavaliers, last season’s Class 11AAA state champs, 34-6, on Oct. 13. 

Class 11AAA Pairings

No. 1 Sioux Falls Lincoln (9-0) vs. No. 8 Rapid City Stevens (2-7), 5 p.m., CT, Howard Wood Field

No. 4 Brandon Valley (6-3) vs. No. 5 Sioux Falls Jefferson (6-3), 6 p.m., CT, Brandon Valley

No. 2 Harrisburg (7-2) vs. No. 7 Sioux Falls Washington (2-7), 6 p.m., CT, Harrisburg 

No. 3 Sioux Falls O’Gorman (7-2) vs. No. 6 Sioux Falls Roosevelt (3-6), 6 p.m., CT, Sioux Falls O’Gorman