If history is any guide, expect the unexpected in the Class 9B playoffs. 

The state’s smallest class regularly produces a few surprise teams making deep runs, including last season’s state champion Sully Buttes as the No. 5 seed. Ironically, the Chargers are the No. 5 seed again this season. 

The class hasn’t produced a back-to-back state champion since Kimball in 2003 and ‘04. Parity has filled the class again this season, as there’s been three different No. 1-ranked teams in Sully Buttes, Avon and Dell Rapids St. Mary. 

DRSM (8-0) is the No. 1 seed, and will host No. 16 Irene-Wakonda (1-7) in its playoff opener. Avon (7-1) is the No. 2 seed and will play No. 15 Oldham-Ramona/Rutland (2-6) in its playoff opener.   

Most intriguing first-round matchup 

East meets West in the No. 9 vs. No. 8 matchup. 

No. 9 Corsica-Stickney (5-3) will play at No. 8 Kadoka Area (4-4) in a matchup between two teams separated by 180 miles. The Jaguars and Kougars have not played in recent memory and have no mutual opponents. 

Kadoka Area is coming off a 42-16 win over Jones County on Oct. 17, and it won three of its last four to finish the regular season. Against the Coyotes, Karson Eisenbraun rushed for 241 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing for 68 yards and two more scores. Kole Hermann racked up 146 total yards and three touchdowns against Jones County. 

The Jaguars are coming off a 28-22 setback against Platte-Geddes, snapping Corsica-Stickney’s three-game winning streak. Against the Black Panthers, Max VandenHoek and Waylon Bolle scored touchdowns. 

Sioux Falls Lutheran makes school history

In just their second season of varsity football, Sioux Falls Lutheran will host a playoff contest. 

The Eagles (5-3) earned the No. 7 seed and will play No. 10 Iroquois/Lake Preston (5-3) at 7 p.m. in Tea. 

After failing to win a game in 2024, Sioux Falls Lutheran turned heads this season with a five-win campaign. Two of SFL’s three losses were against No. 1 Dell Rapids St. Mary (52-0) and No. 2 Avon (62-20). The Eagles also dropped a 32-26 decision against Colman-Egan. 

Class 9B First-Round Pairings

No. 16 Irene-Wakonda at No. 1 Dell Rapids St. Mary, 3 p.m., CT, Dell Rapids

No. 9 Corsica-Stickney at No. 8 Kadoka Area, 6 p.m., MT, Kadoka

No. 13 Burke at No. 4 Faulkton Area, 7 p.m., CT, Faulkton

No. 12 Hitchcock-Tulare at No. 5 Sully Buttes, 6:30 p.m., CT, Onida

No. 15 Oldham-Ramona/Rutland at No. 2 Avon, 7 p.m., CT, Avon

No. 10 Iroquois/Lake Preston at No. 7 Sioux Falls Lutheran, 7 p.m., CT, Tea Area High School

No. 14 Arlington at No. 3 Colman-Egan, 7 p.m., CT, Colman 

No. 11 Canistota at No. 6 Herreid/Selby Area, 6 p.m., CT, Herreid