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. 

By Jacob Wuertz and Ryan Deal

605 Sports

Class 11AAA will again be up for grabs this season. The class with the state’s largest schools has seen parity over the past few years, and it looks as if that trend could continue. However, in  the last two state championships, Sioux Falls schools have not been participants, with Brandon Valley and Harrisburg squaring off in those meetings. The Tigers took home last year's state title, while the Lynx won two years ago and have played in five of the last six Class 11AAA championship games. Brandon Valley checks in as the preseason No. 1 team, while Harrisburg follows at No. 2. 

Sioux Falls Jefferson will begin its second season of high school football and is slotted at the No. 3 ranking in the preseason poll, followed by O’Gorman and Sioux Falls Lincoln at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

Team capsules (listed in alphabetical order): 

Brandon Valley

Coach: Matt Christensen

Last year’s record: 10-2 (lost to Harrisburg in Class 11AAA state championship)

Key returnees: Andrew Bunkers, senior; Navarro Schunke, junior; Lucas Slack, senior; Jack Thue, junior; Micah Nelson, junior; Dylan Langerock, senior; Isaac Johnson, senior; Nate Andresen, senior; Tristan Bisbee, senior; Thomas Risty, junior.

Top newcomers: Payton Egan, senior; Landon Dulaney, sophomore; Delvoun Spears-Witte, junior; Lorenzo Nelson, senior; Joey DeWitt, junior; Tristan Niewenhuis, senior; Gunnar Swift, sophomore; Greyson Bortnem, junior; Nathan VandeBerg, senior; Caden Dowd, junior.

Outlook: Brandon Valley will look to play for their fifth straight Class 11AAA state title this season, after coming up short against Harrisburg last season. However, the Lynx will need to replace nine starters on defense, while having to replace six starters on offense. Brandon Valley will rely on quarterback Lucas Slack, who threw for 910 yards and six touchdowns, wide receiver Dylan Langerock (21 receptions, 246 yards receiving, one touchdown), and an All-State selection in offensive tackle Navarro Schunke. Defensively, the Lynx will depend on cornerback Tristan Bisbee (one interception, six pass break-ups) and defensive lineman Thomas Risty (five tackles for loss). Head Coach Matt Christensen noted that the keys to a successful season will be “solidifying offensive identity” and “developing defensive cohesiveness despite lack of experience.” 

O’Gorman

Coach: Jayson Poppinga

Last year’s record: 6-5 (lost to Brandon Valley in Class 11AAA semifinals)

Key returnees: Bennett Dannenbring, senior; Maverick Jones, junior; Ryland Satter, junior; Peyton Hage, senior; Aden Scott, senior; Nate Ratzlaff, senior; Gabe Tschetter, senior; Sam Jacobsen, senior; Henry Theobald, junior.

Top newcomers: Avery Erickson, senior; Alex Farke, senior; James Lichty, senior; Alexander Lupu, senior; Joe Niedringhaus, senior; Will Sorrell, senior; David Vazquez, senior; Isaac Wilson, senior; Ethan Winterton, senior; Landen Bartels, junior; Tate Bathke, junior; Noah Donohoe, junior; Pierce Gomarko, junior; Hayden Groos, junior; Noah Hericks, junior; Jack Hove, junior; Aidan Kanable, junior; Dylan Majeres, junior; Sam Marsh, junior; Peyton Mausbach, junior; Isaac Ortmann, junior; Steve Penisten, junior; Krayton Raasch, junior; Dawson Rysavy, junior; Sam Sorrell, junior; Noah Terrell, junior; Andy White, junior; Lathan Wilcox, junior.

Outlook: The O’Gorman Knights will look to be back at the top of Class 11AAA, three years removed from their last championship. The Knights return 13 letterwinners, including six starters on offense and three on defense. O’Gorman is led offensively by quarterback Bennett Dannenbring, running back Maverick Jones, and receivers Ryland Satter and Peyton Hage. Defensively, the Knights will be led by the linebacking corps of Nate Ratzlaff, Gabe Tschetter, and Sam Jacobsen. 

Head Coach Jayson Poppinga said, “Last year we didn’t figure out our starting lineup until week 6 when we kept the same lineup the remainder of the year and went 5-1 with a tough loss in the semi-finals. This year's team must have a better start and win close games.”