Uncommon opponents will collide in the Class 9AA quarterfinals on Thursday.

The four matches feature teams which have not played this season, but some matchups pit teams that have played in recent postseasons. 

No. 1 Parkston (9-0) hosts No. 8 Leola/Frederick Area (7-2) in the second meeting in the past three playoffs between the teams. Parkston defeated the Titans, 46-6, in the 2022 Class 9AA playoff opener. 

Parkston, which is riding a 21-game winning streak, knocked off Stanley County (58-6) in its playoff opener on Oct. 24. The Trojans are averaging 44.9 points per game and are allowing 11.4 points per game. 

The Titans lost their last two regular-season games against Ipswich (14-12) and Warner (21-0). But edged Kimball/White Lake, 22-14, in overtime to set up the contest against Parkston. 

Leola/Frederick Area scores 30.3 points per game and gives up 14.7 points per game. 

No. 4 Hill City (8-1) hosts No. 5 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (7-2) in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Hill City is riding a five-game winning streak, including last week’s 41-20 win over Bon Homme in the Class 9AA playoff opener. The Rangers, who have already matched their win total from the past four seasons combined, score 49.7 points per game and give up 17.6 points per game. 

The Phoenix are riding a six-game winning streak, including last week’s 58-14 win over De Smet in the Class 9AA playoff opener. FMFA scores 44.4 points per game and allows 21.6 points per game. 

No. 2 Hamlin (9-0) hosts No. 7 Viborg-Hurley (7-2) in the second meeting in the past three playoffs. The Chargers defeated the Cougars, 41-8, in the 2022 playoffs. 

Hamlin is coming off a 55-0 win over Waubay-Summit in the first round. Hamlin averages 54.1 points per game and allows 6.3 points per game. The Chargers have pitched five shutouts this season.

Viborg-Hurley edged Britton-Hecla, 28-24, in its playoff opener last week. The Cougars have lost to Elkton-Lake Benton (40-24) and Howard (48-14) during the regular season. Viborg-Hurley scores 37.9 points per game and allows 24 points per game. 

No. 3 Elkton-Lake Benton (8-1) hosts No. 11 Hanson (5-4) for the second meeting in the past four playoffs. Hanson defeated Elkton-Lake Benton, 70-22, in the 2021 playoffs. 

Elkton-Lake Benton’s lone defeat was a 40-35 setback against Hamlin. The Elks blanked Great Plains Lutheran, 54-0, in their playoff opener. The Elks average 47 points per game and allow 10.9 points per game on defense. 

The Beavers pulled the lone upset in the Class 9AA first-round action, outlasting No. 6 Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota Christian 27-26 on Oct. 24. 

Hanson scores 22.2 points per game and gives up 22.3 points per game on defense. Hanson’s four losses have come against teams still in the playoffs — Hamlin (44-6), Parkston (34-9), Howard (36-6) and Viborg-Hurley (27-14). 

Class 9AA Quarterfinal Pairings

No. 1 Parkston vs. No. 8 Leola/Frederick Area, 7 p.m., CT  

No. 4 Hill City vs. No. 5 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy, 6 p.m., MT 

No. 2 Hamlin vs. No. 7 Viborg-Hurley, 7 p.m., CT  

No. 3 Elkton-Lake Benton vs. No. 11 Hanson, 6:30 p.m., CT