VERMILLION — A rematch from last season’s semifinals headlines the Class 9AA state championship game.

Top-seeded Parkston (11-0) makes its third consecutive trip to the DakotaDome and looks to win its 24th consecutive football game, while Hamlin is entering its 10th ever state football championship, and first since its 2020 loss to Platte-Geddes.

The Trojans have been on a tear in Class 9AA over the past four seasons, having made the semifinals every year since 2021, including a 26-3 victory over Hamlin in the 2023 semifinals. After finally winning its first ever nine-man title last season, a 12-7 victory over Howard, the Trojans are looking to repeat as 9AA champions.

Parkston averages 42.9 points per game this season, while allowing 11.9 points a contest on defense. The Trojans have faced tough competition throughout the year, including wins over Freeman-Marion-Freeman Academy, 42-14, on Aug. 23 and even picked up the victory over another team making an appearance in Vermillion, a 30-22 victory over Wolsey-Wessington on Oct. 11.

Parkston’s semifinal victory, a 28-22 rematch against F/M/FA, was highlighted by a 104-yard rushing game by senior running back Kolter Kramer. Kaden Holzbauer added 67 yards on 15 carries, quarterback Carter Sommer had just five yards but two rushing touchdowns, while Mason Jervik had two carries for 23 yards, one rushing score and another touchdown on a punt return.

Hamlin plays a much different style than Parkston, a style that includes a whole lot more yards through the air.

Junior quarterback Jackson Wadsworth has been a gunslinger all season long for the Chargers, racking up 1,847 passing yards on 74% completion, 34 touchdown passes to just two interceptions. On top of Wadsworth’s yards, sophomore Boden Stevenson has collected 273 yards and seven passing touchdowns.

Senior Mason Trowbridge spearheads the Chargers in rushing with 570 yards, eight touchdowns, averaging seven yards per rush. Evan Stormo has eight rushing scores on 36 carries, totaling 249 yards, while Wadsworth has collected 245 rushing yards and seven more rushing touchdowns.

Stormo leads all pass-catchers with 35 for 842 yards and 16 touchdowns, Zac VanMeeteren has reeled in 16 passes for 272 yards and five touchdowns, Tyson Stevenson has caught 17 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, while Boden Stevenson has added five scores on just 10 catches.

Wadworth and Stormo lead all Chargers in tackles with 78 and 75, respectively, VanMeeteren and Aiden Abraham have combined for 17.5 sacks, while Tyson Stevenson has four interceptions to lead the Charger pass defense.