Pick a part of the state, and chances are there’s a Class 9A contender in that region. 

The class features three undefeated teams — Wall, Howard and Warner — and there’s two 7-1 contenders in Wolsey-Wessington and Harding County/Bison. It all adds up to an intriguing class, filled with title contenders across the state. 

Wall (46.875) edged Howard (46.500) for the No. 1 seed in the class, while Warner (46.125) was just behind at the No. 3 seed. 

The Eagles will host No. 16 Chester in their playoff opener, while Howard hosts Timber Lake (4-5) in its first-round playoff game. Warner will host Gayville-Volin (4-4) in its playoff opener. 

Most intriguing first-round matchup 

Harding County/Bison has had Dupree’s number for years, but the Little Moreau Conference foes just locked horns for a 12-point decision on Oct. 4.

The Ranchers picked up a 26-14 win over the Tigers, and they will now play 20 days later in the Class 9A opener in Buffalo. 

In the regular-season meeting, Harding County/Bison’s Hayden Pihl completed 10 of 16 passes for 163 yards and threw three passing touchdowns. Rylee Veal finished with 101 rushing yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown. Kaden Green caught three catches for 48 yards and hauled in two touchdown receptions. Nayati Bickerdyke hauled in 55 yards receiving and a touchdown reception. Evan Meyer had 52 yards receiving. Lincoln Wickstrom had 13 tackles, while Eugenio Martinez added 12 tackles. Wickstrom and Martinez each had sacks. 

For Dupree, Braydon Terveen-Smith rushed for 141 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown. Terveen-Smith added 26 receiving yards. Roper Eaton added 58 yards rushing and a touchdown. Eaton had 38 passing yards. Tre White Wolf rushed for 43 yards. Fletcher Birkeland had 10 tackles. Tee Birkeland, Braydon Terveen-Smith and Hudson Terveen-Smith added sacks. 

Perennial powers abound in Class 9A

There is no shortage of title contenders and perennial powers in the Class 9A playoff field.

No. 1 seed Wall is not far removed from a Class 9AA state championship, winning the 2022 state title. No. 2 Howard was last season’s Class 9AA runner-ups, while No. 3 Warner won last season’s Class 9A state championship. Howard also won the 2021 Class 9A state championship. 

Wolsey-Wessington made its last DakotaDome trip in 2020, winning the Class 9B state championship.