It’s a wide open race to the DakotaDome in the quarterfinal round of the Class 9A playoffs.

The quarterfinal round in this class features one undefeated team, several traditional powerhouse programs, and one conference rematch, and it looks to be anyone’s ball game on Thursday, no matter the matchup.

No. 3 Gregory hosts No. 6 Wolsey-Wessington in a rematch of a game earlier this year. The two Missouri Valley Conference opponents met back on Aug. 26, resulting in a high-scoring 60-34 win for the Gorillas. Gregory has outscored its opponents by 28.3 points per game, averaging 39.6 points per game on offense, while giving up 11.3 points per game on defense. The Gorillas defeated Iroquois/Lake Preston 50-0 in the opening round of the Class 9A playoffs. Gregory is led by quarterback Rylan Peck (931 passing yards/13 touchdowns, 795 rushing yards/17 touchdowns) and running back Owen Hansen (598 rushing yards). Eli Fogel (344 receiving yards/6 touchdowns) adds another weapon to the field for the Gorillas. Gregory has played four teams that are in the quarterfinal round (Wolsey-Wessington, Irene-Wakonda, Parkston, Bon Homme). The Gorillas lone loss came against Parkston, 32-25.

Wolsey-Wessington enters the matchup after picking up a 41-0 win over Deubrook Area in the opening round. The Warbirds average 38.3 points per game on offense, while surrendering 22 points per game on defense. Wolsey-Wessington, like Gregory, has played four teams that are in the quarterfinal round, including the Gorillas, Parkston, De Smet, and Avon. The Warbirds’ three losses came against Gregory, Parkston, and Platte-Geddes.

Canistota's Noah Kleinsasser carries the ball against Platte-Geddes on Oct. 14 in Canistota. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Canistota looks to repeat history against Warner

Despite it being a matchup of No. 1 vs No. 9, Warner and Canistota looks to be an intriguing matchup, and if history is any indication, Canistota should feel pretty good about the game.

The Monarchs and Hawks have met twice in Class 9A state championship games, and both times Canistota came out as state champions. The two teams met ten years ago in 2012, with Canistota winning in dominant fashion, 52-8, to capture their third straight state title and 36th straight win. The two programs would not meet again until 2020 in the 9A state title game, and like the first time, it was the same result. Canistota, in a co-op with Freeman at the time, defeated Warner in a low-scoring affair, 12-0. It was the lowest scoring championship game in Class 9A history.

This season Warner looks to right the ship and win its first state championship in school history. Besides losing to Canistota in 2012 and Canistota/Freeman in 2020, the Monarchs also finished runner-up in 2016, losing to Colman-Egan, 32-28. Warner is the lone unbeaten in Class 9A, and averages 41.7 points per game on offense, while giving up just 9.9 points per game on defense. The Monarchs opened the playoffs with a 53-0 win over Burke, and are led by running back Hunter Cramer (1,043 rushing yards/22 touchdowns).

Canistota looks to qualify for their fifth straight semifinal appearance, with the last four coming in the Canistota/Freeman co-op. The Hawks have had an up-and-down season, but have picked up steam entering the playoffs. Canistota picked up an opening round win over Alcester-Hudson, 42-24, and look to build off of last week’s effort. The Hawks are led by quarterback Tage Ortman (957 passing yards/10 touchdown passes, 604 rushing yards/8 touchdowns) and running back Noah Kleinsasser (762 rushing yards/11 touchdowns). Fullback Cayden Scott adds another weapon for the Hawks offense. 

In other quarterfinal action, No. 2 Lyman hosts No. 7 Castlewood in a battle of high-powered offenses, and No. 4 Harding County/Bison hosts No. 5 Philip in a matchup of West River foes.

Quarterfinal Pairings

No. 9 Canistota (5-4) at No. 1 Warner (9-0), 7 p.m.

No. 5 Philip (8-1) at No. 4 Harding County/Bison (7-2), 7 p.m.

No. 7 Castlewood (7-2) at No. 2 Lyman (8-1), 6 p.m.

No. 6 Wolsey-Wessington (6-3) at No. 3 Gregory (8-1), 7 p.m.