By Ryan Deal

605 Sports

Three undefeated teams and a host of usual title contenders make up the Class 9A playoff picture. 

Warner, Alcester-Hudson and Philip sport undefeated records, while perennial powers Lyman, Canistota, Harding County/Bison and Wolsey-Wessington bolster the playoff picture with solid campaigns again. 

Warner (8-0) was last season’s Class 9A runner-up and captured the No. 1 seed this season. The Monarchs will host No. 16 Colman-Egan (2-6) in their playoff opener. Warner will play the No. 8 Lyman (6-2) vs. No. 9 Castlewood (4-4) winner in the quarterfinals.

PHOTOS from Platte-Geddes' 28-14 win over Canistota Friday afternoon in Platte (Photos by Rodney Haas/605 Sports) #SDPreps - https://t.co/CHSKqDGNLo pic.twitter.com/ZSg6BHNyPM

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Canistota (6-2) and Harding County/Bison (7-1) are No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. The Hawks will play No. 13 Centerville (4-4) in Canistota, while the Ranchers will host No. 12 Gregory (4-4) in their opener. 

Alcester-Hudson (8-0) and Philip (8-0) are No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. The Cubs will host No. 15 Burke (2-6) and the Scotties host No. 14 Timber Lake (4-4). No. 7 Deubrook Area (5-3) plays No. 10 Estelline/Hendricks (4-4) and No. 6 Wolsey-Wessington (4-4) hosts No. 11 Chester (4-4) in the other first-round games.

Most intriguing first-round matchup

Harding County/Bison and Gregory represent two of the most dominant West River programs in state history. 

The Ranchers and Gorillas have combined for multiple state championship appearances and regularly produce college football prospects. The West River powers separated by 350 miles haven’t played in recent memory. 

Until now. 

No. 5 Harding County/Bison (7-1) will host No. 12 Gregory (4-4) at 5:30 p.m., MT, in Buffalo.

Gregory's Rylan Peck carries the ball against Wolsey-Wessington earlier this season in Wolsey. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

The Ranchers’ lone setback was against Class 9AA power Wall, a 41-12 decision. Harding County/Bison won every other game by double digits, with a 28-26 win over Kadoka Area as the outlier. The Ranchers are powered by running back/linebacker Rylee Veal, who rushed for 273 yards on 38 carries and five touchdowns in their regular-season finale win over Timber Lake. 

The Gorillas won last season’s Class 9A state championship, but have been bit by the injury bug this season. Gregory is powered by all-state quarterback Rylan Peck. 

The winner will play No. 4 Canistota (6-2) vs. No. 13 Centerville (4-4) in the quarterfinals.

Cubs, Scotties emerge as top seeds 

Warner earned the Class 9A No. 1 seed for the second straight, but Alcester-Hudson and Philip emerged to grab the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, respectively. 

The Cubs and Scotties are hopeful the higher seeds translate to better postseason success this season. They both recorded 7-1 regular seasons in 2022, with Philip earning the No. 5 seed and Alcester-Hudson the No. 8 seed. 

The Scotties won their playoff opener, before falling to Harding County/Bison in the quarterfinals. The Cubs lost to Canistota in the first round. 

Alcester-Hudson hosts Burke, while Philip hosts Timber Lake. If the Cubs and Scotties both win on Thursday, they will host in the quarterfinals. 

Class 9A First-Round Pairings

No. 1 Warner (8-0) vs. No. 16 Colman-Egan (2-6), 7 p.m., CT, in Warner

No. 8 Lyman (6-2) vs. No. 9 Castlewood (4-4), 7 p.m., CT, in Presho 

No. 4 Canistota (6-2) vs. No. 13 Centerville (4-4), 7 p.m., CT, in Canistota 

No. 5 Harding County/Bison (7-1) vs. No. 12 Gregory (4-4), 5:30 p.m., MT, in Buffalo 

No. 2 Alcester-Hudson (8-0) vs. No. 15 Burke (2-6), 6 p.m., CT, in Alcester 

No. 7 Deubrook Area (5-3) vs. No. 10 Estelline/Hendricks (4-4), 7 p.m., CT, in White

No. 3 Philip (8-0) vs. No. 14 Timber Lake (4-4), 6 p.m., MT, in Philip 

No. 6 Wolsey-Wessington (4-4) vs. No. 11 Chester (4-4), 6 p.m., CT, in Wolsey