There’s no shortage of heavyweights remaining in the Class 9AA playoffs. 

The final eight teams feature perennial powers and it’s made up for some intriguing matchups in the quarterfinal round. 

No. 1 Parkston (9-0) is the last remaining undefeated Class 9AA team, while Hamlin, Wall, Platte-Geddes, Howard and Elkton-Lake Benton all sport 8-1 records. Hanson and Freeman-Marion-Freeman Academy round out the field, both having 7-2 records. 

Parkston, last season’s Class 9AA state runner-ups, have not lost since the state championship game. The Trojans have since played like a team possessed this season, especially on defense. 

Parkston has allowed just 20 points this season, pitched seven shutouts and has not allowed a point in the past five games. Parkston’s quarterfinal opponent, Hanson, last scored on the Trojans in a 16-6 decision on Sept. 8.

Hanson knocked off Leola/Frederick Area, 50-32, on the road in the playoff opener, setting up the rematch against Parkston. The Beavers haven’t lost since their setback against the Trojans, including a win over Class 9A No. 4 seed Canistota.

Wall's Burk Blasius (11) follows his running back Wall's Jace Mohr (2) against Bennett County earlier this season in Martin. (Matt Gade / Rapid City Journal)

Another rematch is set in the No. 4 vs. No. 5 contest. No. 4 Hamlin will host No. 5 Wall in a rematch of last season’s Class 9AA semifinals, a 26-13 Eagles’ win. 

Wall went onto win the Class 9AA state championship over Parkston. The Eagles have dropped just one game this season, a 22-12 setback against rival and Class 9A No. 3 seed Philip. 

Wall defeated Kimball/White Lake the past two weeks, including a 22-6 decision in the quarterfinals.

Hamlin has again put together another solid campaign. The Chargers’ lone defeat was a 22-13 loss against Class 9A No. 1 seed Warner on Sept. 29. Hamlin picked up a 52-8 decision against Bon Homme in the Class 9AA opener. 

Platte-Geddes’ Parker Bailey outruns Canistota defenders Cayden Scott (26) and Jaden Kleinsasser (44) earlier this season in Platte. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Platte-Geddes, which won back-to-back state championships in 2020 and ‘21, is back in the fold this season. The Black Panthers dropped a 46-0 decision against Parkston in the opener, but won its next eight games to earn the No. 2 seed. Platte-Geddes capped its regular season with a 28-14 win over Class 9A No. 4 Canistota, before defeating Great Plains Lutheran in its playoff opener. 

The Black Panthers will host Freeman-Marion-Freeman Academy on Thursday. The Phoenix earned a quarterfinal berth with a seesaw 32-28 win over Stanley County in the opener. 

Howard's Taiden Hoyer carries the ball against Hanson earlier this season in Alexandria. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

In the final quarterfinal contest, Howard will host Elkton-Lake Benton. The Tigers, who won the 2021 Class 9A state championship, are back in the championship hunt. 

Howard lost to Cornbelt Conference rival Canistota, a 30-18 decision on Aug. 25. But the Tigers won the rest of their games, including a 60-14 win over Ipswich in the playoff opener. 

Elkton-Lake Benton, a 2022 Class 9AA semifinalist, is also back in the hunt. The Elks suffered just one defeat, a 24-12 setback against Canistota on Sept. 15. ELB outscored its next three opponents, 161-2. 

Class 9AA Quarterfinal Pairings

No. 1 Parkston (9-0) vs. No. 9 Hanson (7-2), 7 p.m., CT, Parkston

No. 4 Hamlin (8-1) vs. No. 5 Wall (8-1), 6:30 p.m., CT, Hayti 

No. 2 Platte-Geddes (8-1) vs. No. 10 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (7-2), 7 p.m., CT, Platte

No. 3 Howard (8-1) vs. No. 6 Elkton-Lake Benton (8-1), 6 p.m., CT, Howard