Ascending the ranks of the Class 9B hierarchy for the first time in school history last season, Sully Buttes is back for more in 2025.

Sully Buttes won the 2024 9B championship, their first since 1989 in Class 9A, as the No. 5 seed and look to repeat with many key contributors back on both sides of the ball.

The Chargers open the season as the top dog in the Class 9B Prep media poll receiving 11 first-place votes. Avon and Dell Rapids St. Mary each had two first-place votes sitting at second and fourth, respectively, while Faulkton claimed one first-place vote in the poll as well.

Canistota sits in fifth place to round out the top-5 in the media rankings.

Storylines to watch

Can the Chargers repeat?: The state’s smallest class has produced plenty of parity in recent years. In fact, there hasn't been a repeat champ in the class since Kimball won back-to-back titles in 2003 and ‘04. Sully Buttes will now look to earn back-to-back titles after winning last season’s state championship, with all-state quarterback Wesley Wittler back to lead the Chargers. Sully Buttes kicks off its season against Northwestern on Friday, Aug. 22 in Onida. 

Who else will emerge?: If the preseason poll is any indication, Class 9B will again be hard to predict. In the preseason rankings, four different teams — Sully Buttes, Avon, Faulkton Area and Dell Rapid St. Mary — all received first-place votes. In total, 10 teams were either ranked or receiving votes. If history is any guide, expect the unexpected in the state’s smallest class. 

State championship rematch in September: Sully Buttes snapped a three-game losing streak against Faulkton Area last season, and at the most opportune time. The Chargers dropped a 28-8 decision in the regular season against the Trojans, but gained the ultimate measure of revenge in the state championship, a 34-14 victory. The Chargers and Faulkton Area will meet in the state championship rematch on Sept. 26 in Faulkton. 

Players to watch

Note: These are returning all-state players.

Wes Wittler, Sully Buttes: The reigning Joe Robbie MVP and outstanding back of the 9B championship is back for the Chargers. As a junior, Wittler passed for 1,928 yards and 25 touchdowns to just three picks. He also rushed for 732 yards and 17 touchdowns as an all-state quarterback last season.

Tristen Baloun, Faulkton Area: A 6-foot-2, 215-pound running back, Baloun totaled 884 yards and 19 scores, earning all-state honors as a junior. He also earned all-conference honors in 2024.

Waylon Bolle, Corsica-Stickney: Bolle makes his return to the Jaguars after rushing for 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns a season ago. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound all-state back also caught eight passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns last year as well.

Gavin Colson, Sully Buttes: As a junior, Colson was the best receiver for the Chargers, totaling 588 yards on 37 receptions, adding seven touchdowns. The all-stater from 2024 has caught 46 passes for 735 yards and eight touchdowns in his career.

Easton Miller, Canistota: Miller was a do-it-all player for Canistota last season. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound receiver rushed for 584 yards and eight touchdowns, adding 34 receptions for 400 yards and seven more scores as a junior.

Kole Hermann, Kadoka Area: Hermann was a busy back for the Kougars last season. The 5-foot-10, 185 pound back totaled 1,172 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, adding 272 yards on 14 catches and four touchdown receptions as well.

Kadyn Westergren, Sully Buttes: Westergren had 1,282 yards and 12 touchdowns as the premier back for the state champions last season. As an all-stater a year ago, Westergren has totaled over 1,500 career rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns.

Adam Kleinsasser, Canistota: The 6-foot-4, 335-pound lineman returns for his senior season for the Hawks after totaling 30.5 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss as an all-state selection last year.

Lincoln LeBrun, Dell Rapids St. Mary: At 5-foot-10, 180-pounds, LeBrun recorded 56.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries at linebacker for the Cardinals. LeBrun was an all-conference and all-state selection last season.

Al’Shamon Gunter, Avon: At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Gunter was a force for the Pirates last season. He recorded 104 tackles, seven sacks, 13 tackles for loss and two interceptions, returning one for a score. Gunter was an all-state linebacker selection a year ago.

Trimmier Hanson, Dell Rapids St. Mary: Trimmier Hanson was all over the field for St. Mary last season. As a junior, he returned 13 punts for 284 yards, returning one for a touchdown. He also tallied 488 rushing yards and 13 rushing scores with 808 yards through the air and 11 passing touchdowns.

Randall Powers, Avon: Powers, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound lineman, earned all-state honorable mention as a junior for the Pirates. He was part of an offensive line that rushed for over 3,400 yards. He also had 28 tackles and one fumble recovery on defense last season.