After emerging from the pack for the Class 9B state championship, Avon enters the 2024 season as favorites to repeat. 

The Pirates claimed the Class 9B state championship, their first since 2013, and brought back a host of key players for another title run. 

Avon sits atop the Class 9B preseason poll and received 10 first-place votes. Perennial power Canistota, which dropped down from Class 9A, is No. 2 and garnered five first-place votes. 

Faulkton, last season’s Class 9B runner-ups, is third and picked up the last first-place vote. Corsica-Stickney and Dell Rapids St. Mary rounded out the top-five teams in the preseason rankings. 

Storylines to watch:

Can the Pirates 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. Avon will now look to earn back-to-back titles after winning last season’s state championship, with all-state running back Aziah Meyer back to lead the Pirates. Avon kicks off its season against Colman-Egan on Friday at Colman-Egan. 

Canistota joins Class 9B: Canistota has been a nine-man power for the last decade-plus. Canistota has won seven state championships since 2010, including three during the Canistota/Freeman co-op. The Hawks are now in Class 9B, after being Class 9A for the past two seasons. The Hawks were hit hard by graduation, but they’ll only bolster the class and open the season against Viborg-Hurley on Friday in Canistota. 

Who else will emerge in the class?: In recent years, it’s been hard to pinpoint top teams in the state’s smallest class, with unlikely contenders emerging from the pack. This season, it could be more of the same. While defending champ Avon headlines the field, it’s hard to tab other contenders and expect the unexpected in Class 9B once again this season. 

Players to watch: 

Aziah Meyer, Avon: A 6-foot-4, 200-pound running back/linebacker, Meyer is a nightmare for opposing defenders. The all-state running back racked up 1,846 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns, while returning two kickoffs for touchdowns. Meyer was the Joe Robbie MVP and the Class 9B Outstanding Back of last season’s championship game. 

Landon Mudder, Avon: Mudder, a 5-foot-7, 185-pounder, was an all-state fullback for the Pirates last season. He racked up 342 yards on 62 carries.

Kaden Sayler, Herreid/Selby Area: An all-state offensive lineman, Sayler helped the Wolverines rush for more than 2,500 yards last season and is a two-year starter. Sayler checks in at 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds. 

Garrett Herman, Kadoka Area: A 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback/linebacker, Hermann racked up offensive and defensive numbers for the Kougars last season. Offensively, he finished with 466 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while passing for 830 yards and 13 more touchdowns during an all-state season. Defensively, he posted 108 tackles (14 tackles for loss), four sacks and four fumble recoveries. He’s racked up 210 total tackles in his career, while he’s also passed for 1,932 yards and 28 touchdowns. 

Faulkton Area's Charlie Deiter (42) celebrates with teammate Carter Hall (5) after scored a touchdown during the Class 9B state championship game last season in Vermillion. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Charlie Deiter, Faulkton Area: Deiter, an all-state linebacker, finished last season with 81 tackles (31 solo), three sacks and three interceptions. A 6-foot, 200-pounder, Deiter is a two-year starter at linebacker. 

Gavin Barber, Sully Buttes: A 6-foot, 200-pound running back/linebacker, Barber was an all-state honorable mention selection last season. He rushed for 1,319 yards and 17 touchdowns, while adding three touchdown receptions. On defense, he added 89 tackles and two interceptions. 

Gus Stout, Kadoka Area: A 6-foot-1, 190-pound running back/defensive back, Stout was an all-state honorable mention selection last year. He finished with 931 rushing and 10 touchdowns, while he added 100 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks on defense. 

Brady Scott, Canistota: A 6-foot-1, 200-pound quarterback/safety, Scott was an all-state defensive back last season. He recorded 43 tackles and two tackles on defense, while hauling in 432 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions last season.