In Class 9A, two nine-man powers will get reacquainted and two unfamiliar faces will clash in the semifinals.

No. 1 seed Warner (10-0) will host No. 4 Canistota (8-2) at 7 p.m. CT in the Class 9A semifinals, with the winner advancing to the state championship on Nov. 9. 

It will be the third contest in the past four seasons between Warner and Canistota (formerly Canistota/Freeman). The Monarchs defeated the Hawks, 48-31, in last season’s Class 9A quarterfinals. In 2020, Canistota/Freeman outlasted Warner, 12-0, in the Class 9A state championship.

Warner is looking for its second trip to the DakotaDome. The Monarchs lost to Gregory in last season’s Class 9A state championship, but have dropped a game since. Warner has put together an impressive 10-0 record, including two straight wins over semifinalists Faulkton Area (Class 9B) and Hamlin (Class 9AA). 

The Monarchs have pitched four straight shutouts, including last week’s 56-0 win over Castlewood in the Class 9A quarterfinals. Warner is averaging 46.3 points per game, while allowing 6.1 points per game. 

Canistota, meanwhile, has also put together another impressive campaign. The Hawks have defeated semifinalists Howard (Class 9AA) and Deubrook Area (Class 9A). Platte-Geddes lost to Cornbelt Conference foe Hanson and Class 9AA semifinalist Platte-Geddes.

In the quarterfinals, the Hawks eliminated last season’s Class 9A champ Gregory, by an eye-opening 70-19 score. Canistota is averaging 40.8 points per game and is allowing 16.8 points per game. 

Deubrook Area's Gavin Landmark (1) is tackled by a pair of Canistota defenders on Sept. 29 in Canistota. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

In the other Class 9A semifinal game, No. 2 Philip (10-0) will host No. 7 Deubrook Area (7-3) at 6 p.m. MT. The teams, which haven’t played in recent memory, are separated by 340 miles and nearly five hours. 

The Scotties opened up their 2023 campaign in a big way, knocking off 2022 Class 9AA state champ Wall. The Scotties continued the momentum and have remained undefeated. 

Philip has pitched five shutouts and eliminated Chester in last week’s quarterfinals, 46-15. The Scotties are scoring 50.4 points per game and are allowing 5.7 points per game on defense.

Deubrook Area dropped a 28-20 decision against semifinalist Canistota, while it also lost to Elkton-Lake Benton (39-30) and Dell Rapids St. Mary (20-18). The Dolphins edged Alcester-Hudson, 14-10, in last week’s quarterfinal round. 

The Dolphins are scoring 35 points per game and are allowing 13.7 points per game on defense.