The Class 9B quarterfinal round is highlighted by a state championship rematch between Faulkton Area and Sully Buttes. 

No. 4 Faulkton Area (6-3) hosts No. 5 Sully Buttes (8-1) in a highly anticipated sequel from Sully Buttes’ thrilling 30-22 win over FA on Sept. 26. The Chargers also defeated the Trojans in last season’s Class 9B state championship. 

The Chargers scored a go-ahead touchdown with 13 seconds left to seal the win. SB is the defending Class 9B state champion in a class that hasn’t had a repeat champion in over two decades.

The Chargers have three returning all-state selections that have led the charge including quarterback Wesley Wittler, wide receiver Gavin Colson and defensive lineman Kadyn Westergren. SB is averaging 43 points per game to just nine points allowed per game defensively. The Chargers defeated No. 12 Hitchcock-Tulare, 42-8, in the first round of the 9B playoffs.

Faulkton Area is a team with plenty of playoff experience as well, reaching the DakotaDome each of the last two seasons. This year, the Trojans have rattled off four wins in a row after a 2-3 start, defeating No. 13 Burke, 61-22, in the first round of the playoffs last week.

Faulkton’s three losses are against top-ranked teams in their respective classes, including Class 9A No. 4 Ipswich (34-30), No. 2 Warner (17-14) and Class 9B No. 3 Sully Buttes (30-22). The Trojans are led by returning all-state fullback/H-back Tristen Baloun.

No. 1 Dell Rapids St. Mary (9-0) hosts No. 9 Corsica-Stickney (6-3) coming off a narrow victory in the first round of the Class 9B playoffs, a 38-36 win over No. 8 Kadoka Area.

The Jaguars have found a groove in the back half of the season winning four of its last five games after a 2-2 start. CS’s losses came against Class 9B No. 2 Avon (54-8), Scotland-Menno (44-30) and Platte-Geddes (28-22).

The Jaguars are paced by its high-powered offense averaging 40 points per game while allowing 23 points per contest and are led by all-state senior running back Waylon Bolle and junior back Connor Wright.

The St. Mary Cardinals have looked like a team on a mission so far this season. DRSM has picked up big wins over Colman-Egan (54-6), Centerville (30-21), Class 9A No. 3 Alcester-Hudson (34-20) and Sioux Falls Lutheran (52-0). The Cardinals are averaging a class-high 54 points per game while allowing just nine points per game, tied for the least in 9B football.

Trimmier Hanson is a versatile back for DRSM, who tallied five carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 25-yard passing touchdown in last week’s win over Irene-Wakonda. Lincoln LeBrun collected 133 yards and two touchdowns as well.

No. 7 Sioux Falls Lutheran (6-3) will make its second trip to Class 9B No. 2 Avon (8-1) this season. The Eagles lost in the first matchup 62-20 on Aug. 29. Two months later, SFL will get another crack at a tough Pirates team.

SFL’s three losses this season are all against the top-3 seeds in Class 9B, including No. 1 Dell Rapids St. Mary (52-0) and No. 3 seeded Colman-Egan, 32-26, on Sept. 19.

The Eagles most recently defeated Iroquois-Lake Preston (48-6) in the opening round of the playoffs. SFL averages 34 points per game offensively while allowing 24 points per game on defense, and are led by Sophomore quarterback Rowen Becker, junior wideout Abbott Mueller and senior running back Cooper Ovenden.

Avon had yet another dominant season in 9B football with its only loss of the year coming against Class 9AA No. 1 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (58-8) to end the season. Avon is outscoring opponents by 39 points per game, averaging 52 points on offense while giving up just 12 points per game on defense.

The Pirates have picked up big wins throughout the year, including Colman-Egan (38-0), Sioux Falls Lutheran (62-20) and Corsica-Stickney (54-8).

No. 6 Herreid-Selby Area (7-2) will make a four hour trip for its quarterfinal matchup with No. 3 Colman-Egan (6-3) in a rematch of the 2019 Class 9B state championship game.

After an 0-3 start, Colman-Egan has quietly ripped six straight wins, including victories over Sioux Falls Lutheran (32-26) and Iroquois-Lake Preston (60-14). The Hawks early season losses came against Class 9B No. 1 Dell Rapids St. Mary (54-6), No. 2 Avon (38-0) and Canistota (20-12). CE is averaging 32 points per game while allowing 21 points per game on defense.

HSA is a program with plenty of recent playoff success, making it to the state championship in the 2019, ‘21 and ‘22 seasons. This season, the Wolverines only losses came against Class 9B No. 5 Faulkton Area (24-6) and Class 9A No. 4 Ipswich (52-12).

HSA’s biggest win of the season came against previously undefeated Sully Buttes, 22-20, on Oct. 10 before shutting out Canistota (22-0) in the first round of the playoffs. HSA is averaging 30 points per game while surrendering just 13 points per game on defense.

No. 9 Corsica-Stickney at No. 1 Dell Rapids St. Mary, 3 p.m., CT, Dell Rapids

No. 5 Sully Buttes at No. 4 Faulkton Area, 7 p.m., CT, Faulkton

No. 7 Sioux Falls Lutheran at No. 2 Avon, 7 p.m., CT, Avon

No. 6 Herreid/Selby Area at No. 3 Colman-Egan, 6 p.m., CT, Colman