Friday, March 29, 2024
Farmer's Union Insurance
605 Sports
605 Sports
Class 11B Semifinal Preview - Winner looks for 3-peat, other Class 11B semifinalists seek rare DakotaDome berth
Winner's Riley Orel (30) carries the ball against Deuel in the Class 11B playoffs.
(Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)
Nov 2, 2022
 

By Jacob Wuertz and Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

The Class 11B semifinals contain one team that has experienced the confines of the DakotaDome many times through the years and three teams that have limited or no experience in the atmosphere of the DakotaDome.

The Winner Warriors (10-0) are the team that enters the semifinals with plenty of DakotaDome experience, and that includes recent experience. The Warriors have played in five out of the last seven Class 11B championship games. Winner won back-to-back 11B titles in 2015 and ‘16, lost in 2019, and claimed back-back-back titles in 2020 and ‘21. However, the Warriors have never completed a 3-peat. Winner has claimed nine state championships in the playoff era since 1981, but has yet to complete three straight undefeated seasons with championships at the end of each season.

Winner has been dominant again this season, putting together 10 wins to add to 23 wins from the previous two seasons, culminating in a school record 33 consecutive wins. This season, the Warriors have averaged 43.8 points per game on offense, while allowing just 6.7 points per game on defense. Winner picked up playoff wins over Lead-Deadwood (62-7) and Deuel (32-8) to advance to the semifinal round. The Warriors will host No. 5 McCook Central/Montrose on Friday at 6 p.m.

McCook Central/Montrose (9-1) is not as familiar with the DakotaDome, but does have some experience in years past. The Fighting Cougars lone Class 11B championship game appearance came in 2011, losing to Tri-Valley, 18-14. However, Montrose has some past experience in the DakotaDome, winning Class 9A championships in 1983 over Sully Buttes (34-22) and in 1984 over McLaughlin in a three-overtime thriller (26-20). The Irish also played in Class 9B state championship games in 1985, losing to Tripp (22-14), and in 2005, losing to Avon (40-14).

This season, McCook Central/Montrose has averaged 30.8 points per game offensively, while allowing just 8.8 points per game on defense. The Fighting Cougars began the season 4-0 before losing 35-0 to Class 11B semifinalist Elk Point-Jefferson on Sept. 16. MCM has since won five in a row, including playoff wins over Sioux Valley (34-19) and Mount Vernon/Plankinton (38-6).

Hot Springs' Preston Iverson carries the ball against Aberdeen Roncalli in the Class 11B playoffs. (John Davis / sdsportscene.com)


In the other Class 11B semifinal, a pair of teams with little DakotaDome experience will look to make school history when No. 3 Elk Point-Jefferson hosts No. 7 Hot Springs on Friday at 6 p.m. in Elk Point.

Elk Point-Jefferson (10-0) is seeking its first ever trip to the DakotaDome in school history. The Huskies have played in the Class 11B semifinals before, but came up short both times, losing to St. Thomas More (28-21) in 2006 and to Winner (52-14) last season. Elk Point-Jefferson earned playoff wins over Rapid City Christian (58-7) and Redfield (42-0) to advance to this year’s Class 11B semifinals.

This season, EPJ has been dominant on both sides of the ball, averaging 48.2 points per game offensively, while surrendering just 3.5 points per game on defense. The Huskies have pitched six shutouts and have given up double-digit points just once. EPJ has surrendered only five touchdowns all season, and has allowed opponents an average of 63 yards per game on offense. Offensively, the Huskies have been held under 35 points once all season, while the offense has averaged 352 yards per game.

Hot Springs (8-2) enters the semifinal round looking to pull off another massive road upset. The Bison made the trip across the state to upset Aberdeen Roncalli, 28-0, in the quarterfinal round. Hot Springs defeated perennial power Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan, 45-6, in the opening round. The Bison have averaged 34.6 points offensively, while allowing 9 points a game defensively. Hot Springs has pitched five shutouts, including four shutouts in the last five games, and has surrendered more than 16 points just once this season. The Bison have losses against fellow Class 11B semifinalist McCook Central/Montrose (16-7) and Class 11A semifinalist Dell Rapids (41-21). 

Hot Springs has qualified for one previous state championship game in its school’s history. The Bison lost in the 2003 Class 11A state championship game to West Central, 48-7.