No. 1 Parkston (11-0) vs. No. 3 Howard (10-1)

When: 7 p.m. Thursday at the DakotaDome

Parkston Notes: Parkston averages 43.8 points per game on offense and allows 2.1 points per game on defense. The Trojans have been dominant on defense this season, pitching eight shutouts and allowing just 23 points. … Parkston’s playoff run has included wins over Viborg-Hurley (42-0), Hanson (28-0) and Hamlin (26-3). Hamlin’s field goal in the semifinals were the first points allowed by Parkston since Sept. 8 against Hanson. … Against Hamlin, Luke Bormann, a senior speedster, rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Brayden Jervik, a bruising senior fullback, rushed for 132 yards and one touchdown. … Parkston is making its sixth trip to the DakotaDome. The Trojans’ lone state championship was the 2014 Class 11B title, while they lost last season’s Class 9AA title. … Parkston native and former South Dakota State University offensive lineman Wes Genant is an assistant coach for the Trojans. … Parkston defeated Howard, 34-7, in last season’s Class 9AA quarterfinals. 

Howard's Karsyn Feldhaus carries the ball against Hanson on Aug. 18 in Alexandria. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Howard Notes: Howard averages 40.1 points per game on offense and allows 10.1 points per game on defense. The Tigers have pitched four shutouts this season, including a 36-0 win over Platte-Geddes in the semifinals. Howard also defeated Ipswich (60-14) and Elkton-Lake Benton (28-8) in the postseason. … Against Platte-Geddes, Jackson Remmers and Karsyn Feldhaus both rushed for more than 100 yards. … Howard is making its seventh trip to the DakotaDome, winning titles in 2004, ‘09, ‘14 and ‘21. … Howard lost to Parkston, 34-7, in last season’s Class 9AA quarterfinals.