By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

• Howard’s Luke Koepsell accomplished a rare feat on Nov. 15. The senior defensive lineman/tight end powered the Tigers with four catches for 100 yards and two touchdown receptions in the Class 9A state championship game, a 38-30 win over Wolsey-Wessington. He added a 21-yard running play (on a fake punt), seven tackles and a sack on defense. For his efforts, Koepsell was named the Joe Robbie MVP and Outstanding Lineman of the Class 9A state championship. It’s a rare feat for a player to receive both awards, as the Joe Robbie MVP is regularly awarded to an offensive skill player. In 1988, Sioux Valley’s Curtis Hillerud was named Joe Robbie MVP and Outstanding Lineman. Any others? Let us know at sports.ticket@sportsticket.tv. 

• Winner added more hardware to its legendary football trophy case. The Warriors won their 10th overall state championship, two behind West Central (12) for the most state football championships in the playoff era. The 10th title was also significant for special reasons. Winner’s motto “10 4 60” was a rallying cry for the Warriors, who defeated Sioux Valley in the Class 11B state championship. The motto represented Winner’s goal of its 10th state championship for former Warrior coach Harvey Naasz, who died in December 2023. Naasz, who led Winner to three state championships, wore No. 60 during his playing days. Harvey’s grandsons — Nathan, Sam and Trey — were representing the Naasz name at the DakotaDome this year. Nathan is an assistant coach for Winner, while Trey is an assistant coach for the Class 11AAA state champion Sioux Falls Lincoln. Sam is an athletic trainer for the Pierre Governors.

• Not many players go out for football on a whim, and end up Joe Robbie MVPs. Enter Marcus Fossum. The Watertown High School senior helped the Arrows win their first state football championship since 2001, a 14-13 win over seven-time defending champ Pierre. Fossum finished with 82 yards rushing and caught a touchdown pass. He received the Joe Robbie MVP and Outstanding Back awards. Pretty impressive, considering Fossum didn’t play football until midway through his junior season.

• Another Joe Robbie MVP had a different path to stardom at the DakotaDome. Lennox’s Boston Katzer powered the Orioles to a 14-6 win over Sioux Falls Christian. The Joe Robbie MVP and Outstanding Back completed 18-of-27 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He added 83 yards rushing and recorded two interceptions on defense. Katzer wasn’t even a Lennox Oriole until last season when he transferred from McCook Central/Montrose and followed former Fighting Cougars coach Shawn Flanagan. It paid off as Katzer, Flanagan and the Orioles won their first state football championship since 1982.

• Sioux Falls Lincoln sophomore Brody Schafer played poised under the bright lights at the DakotaDome, leading the Patriots to their second straight Class 11AAA state championship. What’s even more impressive is that Schafer was watching from the sidelines last season as a freshman, when his older brother Tate led Lincoln to its first state championship since 2014. A 6-foot, 170-pound dual-threat quarterback, Brody Schafer finished 9-of-18 for 226 yards and threw three passing touchdowns in a 31-21 win over Brandon Valley. The Joe Robbie MVP and Outstanding Back added 122 rushing yards on 24 carries. He’s the first sophomore to win Joe Robbie MVP honors since Winner’s Aiden Barfuss in 2021. 

And while the season may be over we’re already looking forward to 2025 and the storylines that’ll emerge next season.