There’s no shortage of intriguing matchups in the Class 9AA playoffs. 

The class features three undefeated teams, three one-loss teams and it adds up to a highly-anticipated quarterfinal round. 

No. 5 Hanson eliminated two-time defending state champion Platte-Geddes in the playoff opener, setting up a matchup at No. 4 Hamlin. The Chargers defeated Viborg-Hurley, 41-8, in their first-round playoff game. 

The Beavers and Chargers are unfamiliar opponents, but feel like mirror images of each other. The Beavers are scoring 36 points per game, while giving up 7.8 a contest. The Chargers are averaging 44 points per game and are allowing just 6.7 per outing. 

Their personnel on the field feels similar, too. Hamlin quarterback Tyson Stevenson has thrown for 1,190 yards and 20 passing touchdowns. Charger running back Luke Fraser powers the ground game with 1,476 rushing yards and 18 rushing scores. 

The Beavers counter with a three-headed rushing attack of Hadley Wallace, Jackson Jarding and Brock Tuttle. Wallace has rushed for 781 yards and nine touchdowns. Jarding racked up 202 rushing yards and three touchdowns last week, upping his season total to 740 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Speedy quarterback Jayce Slaba (543 passing yards/7 touchdowns) adds another playmaker to the fold. 

Howard's Griffin Clubb, left, catches the ball in front of Britton-Hecla's Luke Storley (37) in the Class 9AA playoffs in Howard. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Howard and Parkston renew series, Wall welcomes Bon Homme

Howard and Parkston, a pair of perennial powers, will lock horns for the first time since 2008 in the quarterfinal round. 

The Tigers will host the Trojans as both teams are again eyeing deep playoff runs. Howard won last season’s Class 9A state championship, while Parkston advanced to the Class 9AA semifinals. 

Thursday’s contest is their first meeting in 14 seasons. In the 2008 regular-season finale, Parkston defeated Howard when both teams were in Class 11B.

Howard, which is riding a 20-game winning streak, picked up wins over fellow quarterfinalists Hanson, Canistota, Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy and Irene-Wakonda during the regular season. 

The Tigers again rely on their rushing attack, which is led by Karsyn Feldhaus (779 rushing yards/10 touchdowns), Griffin Clubb (723 rushing yards/TD) and Taiden Hoyer (538 rushing yards/5 touchdowns). Hoyer has thrown for 577 yards and 11 passing touchdowns. 

Parkston's Kaleb Weber (10) carries the ball against Platte-Geddes earlier this season. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Parkston is 8-1 and its lone defeat was an 8-6 setback against Hanson on Sept. 9. The Trojans earned wins over quarterfinalists Wolsey-Wessington, Gregory and Bon Homme during the regular season. 

Parkston defeated Leola/Frederick Area, 46-6, in its playoff opener. Kaleb Weber paced Parkston with 128 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, while rushing for another score. Brayden Jervik rushed for 58 yards, while Luke Bormann had 52 yards on the ground. 

In other quarterfinal action, No. 1 seed Wall will host No. 8 Bon Homme. The Eagles (9-0) have been on a roll this season as they look to finally secure a trip to the DakotaDome. Wall has pitched five shutouts this season and average 52 points per game on offense. 

No. 2 Elkton-Lake Benton will host No. 7 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy in the other quarterfinal contest. 

Quarterfinal Pairings

No. 8 Bon Homme (6-3) at No. 1 Wall (9-0), 7 p.m.

No. 5 Hanson (8-1) at No. 4 Hanson (8-1), 7 p.m.

No. 7 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (7-2) at No. 2 Elkton-Lake Benton (9-0), 7 p.m.

No. 6 Parkston (8-1) at No. 3 Howard (9-0), 7 p.m.