By Jacob Wuertz and Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Editor’s Note: 605 Sports will unveil team preview capsules on all football classes leading up to the 2022 season openers. The information provided was submitted by coaches in response to an email sent by 605 Sports. 

Class 9AA will have no shortage of title contenders this season. 

The class features a pair of defending state champs, perennial powers and dynamic playmakers. 

Howard, which won last season’s Class 9A title, checks in at No. 1 in the preseason poll and returns a host of skill players. Platte-Geddes is back in the fold after winning the past two Class 9AA state championships. The Black Panthers were tied with Wall at No. 2 in the preseason poll. Wall reached last year’s Class 9A semifinals, but dropped a 21-17 decision against Howard for its lone defeat of the season. 

Hanson is back in the mix after a 8-2 season, including a 26-24 defeat to Platte-Geddes in the 2021 quarterfinals. Two Class 9AA headliners — Howard and Hanson — will size each other up in the season opener on Friday in Howard. 

Bon Homme

Coach: Byron Pudwill 

Last year’s record: 3-6

Key returnees: Riley Rothschadl, senior; Isaac Crownover, senior; Cayden Himes, senior; Landon Smith, senior; Logan Winckler, senior.

Top newcomers: Landon Schmidt, sophomore; Kolten Vlcek, sophomore.; Jackson Kaul, sophomore.; Rhett Connors, junior; Hunter Lhotak, sophomore; Brock Kotalik, junior; Tristen Simek, junior; Jace Toupal, junior; Cameron Cooper, sophomore.

Outlook: The Bon Homme Cavaliers will look to improve on a 3-6 campaign in 2021 which saw an exit in the first round of the Class 9AA playoffs (20-15 loss vs Parkston). The Cavaliers dealt with several injuries last season, but hope to rebound with several key players returning. Bon Homme lost three seniors to graduation, but return several juniors and seniors who have plenty of experience, including seniors Riley Rothschadl and Isaac Crownover. Key games for the Cavaliers this season will be against Gregory, Parkston, and Platte-Geddes. “Most of our team this year will be older players, meaning juniors and seniors,” Bon Homme coach Byron Pudwill said. “We’ll have a lot of game-proven players that will include some two-year starters. With older players, comes leadership, and there are many natural born leaders on this team. We believe that with all the experience we have, and the hard work we’ve put in, it will help us to have a successful season.”

Elkton-Lake Benton

Coach: Ethan Pearson

Last year’s record: 3-6

Key returnees: Ryan Krog, senior; Riddick Westley, junior; Tanner Stein, sophomore; Carson Griffith, junior; Garrett Neill, senior; Blake DeVries, sophomore; Jacob Timm, senior.

Top newcomers: Teigan Krog, sophomore; Tanner Drietz, sophomore; Quintin Westley, freshman; Taiton Boersma, freshman; Colt Beck, freshman; Jackson Smallfield, sophomore; Quinten Poindexter, junior.

Outlook: Elkton-Lake Benton brings back 26 letterwinners, while returning four starters on offense and six on defense. The Elks will be led by quarterback Ryan Krog, who has amassed 2,992 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes in his career, and linebacker Tanner Stein, who had 58.5 tackles last season. Elkton-Lake Benton coach Ethan Pearson said “Some of the biggest challenges that I see existing is depth and size on our offensive and defensive lines.” Pearson also noted that establishing the running game and “teaching our athletes to take it one play at a time” will be the keys to a successful season. Elkton-Lake Benton’s key games will be against Bon Homme, Canistota, and Florence/Henry.

Florence/Henry

Coach: Travis Schmidt

Last year’s record: 7-2

Key returnees: Tegan Sumner, senior; Mehki Keller, senior; Clayton Trupe, senior; Noah Lauritsen, senior; Logan Lutz, senior.

Top newcomers: Sam Blue, senior; Trevor Rawlins, senior; Noah Paulson, junior; Karter Kohlenberg, sophomore; Tristyn Sumner, sophomore; Peyton Roe, senior.

Outlook: Florence/Henry looks to continue the success they had last season, but will have to do so without several key players that were lost to graduation. The Falcons return just 10 letterwinners, including four starters on offense and four on defense, from a team that averaged 334 yards per game and 39.1 points per game offensively. The offense will be led by quarterback Tegan Sumner (912 passing yards, 12 touchdowns; 227 yards rushing, four touchdowns) and wide receiver Mehki Keller (215 yards rushing, four touchdowns; 394 yards receiving, six touchdowns). The defense will be led by Sumner (45 tackles), Keller (37 tackles), and Clayton Trupe (80 tackles). Head Coach Travis Schmidt knows that there will be plenty of holes to fill in the lineup this season for the Falcons, stating, “We must find guys to step into bigger roles than they are used to and find success for those guys early in the year. Depth is going to be a challenge for us this coming year.” Schmidt said that Hamlin and Canistota will be the Falcons’ toughest opponents.

Hanson's Hadley Wallace (24) carries the ball last season against Howard. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Hanson

Coach: Jim Haskamp

Last year’s record: 8-2 (lost to eventual Class 9AA champion Platte-Geddes in the semifinals)

Key returnees: Ethan Cheeseman, senior; Riley Haynes, senior; Hadley Wallace, senior.; Jackson Jarding, senior; Brock Tuttle, junior; Isayah Price, junior; Hayden Schroeder, junior; Charlie Prien, senior. 

Outlook: The Beavers will need to replace four key starters on offense, which include the positions of quarterback, center, and two guards. However, Hanson will have plenty of experience, athletic ability, and team speed. Hanson returns five starters on offense and seven on defense. Hanson is powered by a three-headed rushing attack: Hadley Wallace (1,002 rushing yards), Brock Tuttle (409 rushing yards) and Jackson Harding (392 rushing yards). Behind the trio, the Beavers rushed for 232 yards per game last season. Key games for the Beavers will be against Howard, Parkston, Canistota, and Garretson. Hanson coach Jim Haskamp said “Senior leadership, staying healthy, controlling the ball on offense,” will be keys for the Beavers this season. 

Howard

Coach: Pat Ruml

Last year’s record: 12-0 (Class 9A state champions)

Key returnees: Taiden Hoyer, junior; Griffin Clubb, senior; Karsyn Feldhaus, junior; Gabriel Turpin, senior; Jack Neises, senior; Atticus Darnell, senior; Ryder Erickson, senior; Karsten Hamilton, senior; Luke Koepsell, sophomore. 

Outlook: The Howard Tigers move up to Class 9AA after claiming the Class 9A title last season. The Tigers will need to replace several key players from their title run, but will have plenty of weapons at their disposal this season. Offensively, Howard will be led by junior quarterback Taiden Hoyer, senior running backs Karsten Hamilton and Griffin Clubb, and tight end Atticus Darnell. Senior Gabriel Turpin will anchor the offensive and defensive lines, while Jack Neises will be patrolling from his linebacker position.

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Ipswich

Coach: Brian Hogie

Last year’s record: 8-2

Key returnees: Ian Beyers, senior; Tyler Hettich, senior; Carter Geditz, senior; Lucas Rowland, senior; Chet Peterson, junior; Grant Wiesser, senior.

Top newcomers: Trevor Heinz, junior; Max Kulesa, sophomore; Marcus Hofer, sophomore.

Outlook: Ipswich will look to build off of a successful season that saw the Tigers advance to the Class 9AA quarterfinals before falling to eventual runner-up Canistota/Freeman. The Tigers return 16 letterwinners from last season, including four starters on offense and six on defense. Ian Beyers returns to lead the offense at quarterback after throwing for 1,080 yards and 11 touchdowns. Linebackers Tyler Hettich (61 tackles), Carter Geditz (58 tackles), and Chet Peterson (31 tackles, three sacks) will lead the defense. Ipswich coach Brian Hogie said the keys to a successful season are “being able to replace our senior leadership and experience. We lost a big group that has played a lot of games for us. We will need to be able to stay healthy as depth in key positions [will] be limited.” Hogie also noted that he believes Howard, Hanson, Parkston, and Hamlin will be the top teams in Class 9AA.

Leola/Frederick Area

Coach: Jeff Kosters

Last year’s record: 4-5

Key returnees: Brandon Pickell, junior; Brayden Sumption, junior; Jericho King, senior; Hans Lapka, senior; Sam Vetter, senior; Kody Moser, senior; Levi Little, junior.

Top newcomers: Stephen Achen, senior; Austin Mantei, junior; Tristan Sumption, junior; Gus Sieh, junior; Connor Spitzer, junior; McKinley Kosters, junior; Gavin Nickelson, sophomore; Dustin Wurtz, sophomore; Noah Kippley, sophomore. 

Outlook: Leola/Frederick Area returns 13 letterwinners, including five starters on offense and five on defense. Offensively, the Titans are led by quarterback Brayden Sumption (712 passing yards and six touchdown passes) and wingback Hans Lapka (588 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns). Defensively, the linebacking corps of Lapka (20 tackles, 1 FR, 1 INT), Sam Vetter (41 tackles, 2 FF, 1 INT), Kody Moser (24 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 FR), and Levi Little (28 tackles, 2 FR, 1 INT) will anchor the defense, along with defensive back Jericho King (30 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD). Coach Jeff Kosters noted that Leola/Frederick’s toughest opponents will be Warner, Ipswich, Faulkton Area, and Hamlin. “We return all of our skill players from last season and will be extremely athletic,” Kosters said. “The biggest challenge for us will be to find a cohesive unit up front in the trenches.”

Parkston's Brayden Jervik carries the ball during a game against Gregory last season. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

 

Parkston

Coach: Matt Grave

Last year’s record: 8-3 (lost to Canistota/Freeman in Class 9AA semifinals)

Key returnees: Brayden Jervik, junior; Kaleb Weber, senior; Preston Mattheis, senior; Will Jodozi, junior; Luke Bormann, junior; Sam Benson, senior.

Top newcomers: Porter Neugebauer, senior; Jesse Newton, senior; Cael Ryther, senior; Cade Thuringer, senior; Caden Donahue, senior; Maddux Brissette, junior; Jaron Nesheim, junior; Breckin Culbert, sophomore; Kolter Kramer, sophomore.

Outlook: Parkston returns 13 letterwinners from a squad that was one game away from a state championship game appearance in 2021. Offensively, the Trojans will be led by running back Brayden Jervik and quarterback Kaleb Weber. Defensively, Jervik will lead the linebacking corps, while Luke Bormann and Sam Benson will lead the secondary. Will Jodozi will anchor the defensive line. Coach Matt Grave said, in regard to having a successful season, “Every opponent is well-coached and disciplined, so we’ll have to be mentally and physically focused on being in the moment. As a team putting players in a position to be successful, perfecting the fundamentals, improving communication, and playing as a team will be critical throughout the season.” Grave also noted that Hanson, Garretson, and Platte-Geddes would be the Trojans’ toughest opponents.

Platte-Geddes' Dawson Hoffman, left, makes a pass last season at the DakotaDome in Vermillion against Canistota/Freeman in the Class 9AA title game. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Platte-Geddes

Coach: Bruce Hanson

Last year’s record: 10-2 (Class 9AA champions)

Key returnees: Dawson Hoffman, senior; Joey Foxley, junior; Aiden Bultje, senior; Lee Reiser, senior; Joey Baas, senior; Caden Oberbroekling, junior.

Top newcomers: Trevor Rolland, senior; Oakley Kott, senior; Jack Ringling, junior; Tanner Dyk, junior; Parker Bailey, junior; Emmit Bultjes, junior; Kasen Konstantz, junior; Caleb Fite, senior; Skyler Hanten, junior.

Outlook: Platte-Geddes enters 2022 as the two-time defending Class 9AA champions. The Black Panthers have compiled a 22-2 record over the past two seasons, and will look to continue that success this season. Platte-Geddes returns 17 letterwinners, including four starters on offense and five on defense, but will need to replace several key starters from an offense that averaged 385 yards of total offense per game. Head coach Bruce Hanson noted the challenges his team faces entering the season: “Replacing a really good group of seniors and their leadership… developing our O-lines cohesiveness and finding our leaders that step up in big moments that we have had the past couple seasons.” Hanson also believes Canistota, Gregory, Parkston, and Bon Homme will be Platte-Geddes’ toughest opponents.

Wall's Burk Blasius, right, carries the ball last season against Kadoka Area. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Wall

Coach: Lex Heathershaw

Last year’s record: 10-1 (lost to Howard in the Class 9A semifinals)

Key returnees: Cedar Amiotte, senior; Rylan McDonnell, senior; Blair Blasius, senior; Mason Heath, senior; Stran Williams, senior; Norman Livermont, senior; James Livermont, senior; Burk Blasius, junior; Brodi Sundall, junior; Quinn Moon, junior.

Outlook: The Wall Eagles will look to pick up where they left off last season after a 10-1 campaign that saw a heartbreaking loss in the Class 9A semifinals. The Eagles return six starters on offense and eight starters on defense. Offensively, Wall will have no shortage of weapons, led by junior quarterback Burk Blasius, senior running backs Cedar Amiotte and Mason Heath, senior wide receivers Rylan McDonnell and Stran Williams, and senior tight end Blair Blasius. Defensively, the Eagles will be led by the linebacking corps of Heath, Amiotte, Burk Blasius, and Blair Blasius. Coach Lex Heathershaw noted that Wall’s strengths “will be returning a lot of talent from last year's semi-final team. We have experienced players that have played in multiple playoff scenarios. We have a lot of speed and good ball skills.” Heathershaw also added that the team's weaknesses are having “to replace 3 offensive linemen from last season. We will need to have some players step up and fill those roles.” Wall’s key games will be against Kadoka Area and Harding County/Bison.