Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy and Elkton-Lake Benton each totaled six spots on the Class 9AAA all-state football team, as voted on by the South Dakota High School Football Coaches Association.

The state champion Phoenix were headlined by Riley Tschetter, Luke Peters, Tate Sorensen, Hunter Nankivel, Easton Tschetter and honorable mention pick Alaric Knittel.

The runner-up Elks were highlighted by Eliot Erickson, Taiton Boersma, Colt Beck, Quintin Westley, Myles Poindexter and honorable mention selection Wanner Enriquez.
The complete 9AA all-state football team is listed below.

QUARTERBACK: Riley Tschetter, Sr., Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (5-10, 180)

Riley Tschetter was a leader for the state champion Phoenix. Tschetter threw for 2,071 yards and 26 touchdowns to just one interception, adding 454 rush yards and 11 scores on the ground. For his career, Tschetter threw for 7,354 yards and 94 touchdowns, adding 1,353 yards and 25 touchdowns and is a three-time all-Great Plains Conference selection. “Riley is a generational talent,” said FMFA head coach Dustin Tschetter. “He’s the leader of our football team and when he’s on the field we believe we’re going to win. There’s a confidence he brings to our team that you just can’t put into words. arguably one of the best players to ever come through Freeman.”

FULLBACK/H-BACK: Stetson Riggs, Sr., Hanson (5-10, 200)

Stetson Riggs brought the power to the Hanson Beavers rushing attack. Riggs ran 109 times for 890 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 44.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks defensively this season. The returning all-stater ends his career with 1,410 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 14 catches for 116 yards and two more touchdowns, racking up 202.5 tackles and 15.5 sacks. “Stetson has been a starter for us for three years now,” said Hanson coach Jacob Giles. “He is a tough runner and a tough kid to bring down. He is also an excellent pass blocker and was a big part of our pass pro this year.”

RUNNING BACK: Eliot Erickson, Sr., Elkton-Lake Benton (5-10, 170)

Eliot Erickson was an elusive back for Elkton-Lake Benton. Erickson rushed 121 times for 1,537 yards and 23 touchdowns, catching 13 passes for 184 yards and four touchdowns. Erickson ends his career with 2,296 yards and 31 touchdowns averaging 11 yards per carry while catching 20 passes for 318 yards and six touchdown receptions. “Eliot played much of the season as our main running option with injuries hampering other athletes,” said ELB head coach Kaleb Haas. “Even though he was the main key for defenses during those games, he has averaged over 14 yards per rush over the course of the season.”

RUNNING BACK: Luke Peters, Sr., Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (5-10, 170)

Luke Peters was a focal point in Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy’s championship season. Peters rushed for 959 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding 11 catches for 144 yards and three touchdowns as a senior. The 2025 all-Great Plains Conference selection ends his career with 1,155 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground, adding 551 yards and nine touchdowns receiving. “Luke has the speed to break a big run at any given moment,” said FMFA head coach Dustin Tschetter. “He has the ability to make you miss in the open field and also is a hard nose runner who will lower his pads and deliver a blow. Luke had to wait his turn to be our RB but he has taken the reins and had a great season.”

RUNNING BACK: Mason Jervik, Jr., Parkston (5-11, 160)

Mason Jervik is an explosive player for Parkston. The junior rushed 120 times for 841 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 10 catches for 231 yards and five touchdowns. Jervik also had two punt return touchdowns this season and is a 2025 all-conference selection. “Mason is our most explosive player,” said Parkston head coach Matt Grave. “He is so dynamic in what he brings to the team in all three phases of the game. He impacts all phases of the game with his natural speed, ball skills/coordination as a wide receiver and defensive back, ability to start and stop to hit the hole full speed, and ability to tackle in space makes him one of the best players on field no matter who is on the field.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Boden Stevenson, Jr., Hamlin (6-3, 195)

Boden Stevenson is a dynamic playmaker for Hamlin. Stevenson caught 74 passes for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns, rushing 14 times for 156 yards and two rushing scores and completed 10 passes for 136 yards and five touchdowns this season. Stevenson has 1,388 yards and 19 receiving touchdowns, 482 yards and 12 touchdowns passing, as well as 377 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. “Boden is a true athlete,” said Hamlin head coach Jeff Sheehan. “He can play multiple positions on the field and he does it at a high level. He is very football smart and thinks the game through which allows him to play fast on the field. He was voted captain of the football team as a junior because he has a tremendous work ethic and the other players believe in his abilities.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Zane Messick, Sr., Hill City (5-11, 155)

Zane Messick was the top receiving threat for the Rangers. Messick caught 34 passes for 694 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior for the Rangers. He ends his career with 2,120 yards and 28 touchdowns on 135 receptions.

TIGHT END: Tate Sorensen, Sr., Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (6-2, 205)

Tate Sorensen was a dynamic pass-catcher for the state champion Phoenix. Sorenson caught 19 passes for 397 yards and eight touchdowns this season. The 2025 all-Great Plains Conference selection has 46 receptions for 947 yards and 12 touchdowns for his career. “Tate is the one guy who other teams try to double team,” said FMFA head coach Dustin Tschetter. “He has the speed to take a short pass the distance and the size to out jump smaller defenders. Tate is one of our leaders.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Grant Wilkinson, Sr., De Smet (6-8, 320)

Grant Wilkinson was an anchor to the De Smet offense. Wilkinson powered the Bulldogs offense that rushed for over 2,000 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns this season. The South Dakota State football commit is a three-time all-Dakota Valley Conference selection, 2023 all-state honorable mention and 2024 all-state offensive lineman. “Throughout Grant’s football career, we were able to make the semi-finals two out of his four years and qualify for the playoffs each of his four years. This season, we were able to rush for close to 2,000 yards as a team with most of those yards coming behind him. On the defensive side of the ball, Grant often got double teamed as a way to try and slow him down. Grant is not only an impactful player on the field, but also off the field and in the offseason/weight room.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Dalton Deffenbaugh, Sr., Kimball/White Lake (6-2, 280)

Dalton Deffenbaugh was a force on the Kimball/White Lake offensive line. Deffenbaugh helped the WiLdKats gain over 3,000 total yards, including 1,925 rushing yards this season. Deffenbaugh is a two-year starter that’s powered KWL to over 6,061 yards the past two seasons. “Dalton was also a force in the middle of our defense at nose guard/defensive tackle,” said KWL head coach Ryan Skluzak. “Dalton had a high win-rate at center and was a complete lineman being able to block on multiple levels. Dalton was also solid pulling out on the perimeter and setting the middle of our pocket in pass protection. Dalton was a great leader for us on both sides of the ball and is a great candidate for All-State at offensive line.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Taiton Boersma, Sr., Elkton-Lake Benton (6-0, 225)

Taiton Boersma powered Elkton-Lake Benton’s offense to nearly 2,700 rushing yards and 1,481 passing yards this season. Boersma is a 2024 all-state offensive lineman as well. “Taiton has been a three-year starter for us on the offensive line,” said ELB head coach Kaleb Haas. “He is the anchor of our o-line and the main communicator at the line of scrimmage to get everyone on the same page for each play. Over the course of his three years anchoring our offensive line, the offense has averaged 403 total yards/game.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Hunter Nankivel, Jr., Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (6-3, 210)

Hunter Nankivel was an anchor for the state champion Phoenix. Nankivel powered an offense that rushed for 1,810 yards and passed for 2,373 yards, totaling 66 touchdowns. Nankivel is a 2025 all-Great Plains Conference selection as well. “Hunter is the guy making all our calls at the line of scrimmage,” said FMFA head coach Dustin Tschetter. “He has done a great job communicating all our calls, creating holes for our running backs to run through and giving Riley time to pick apart defenses.”

ATHLETE: Colt Beck, Sr., Elkton-Lake Benton (5-9, 175)

Colt Beck was the leader of the Elkton-Lake Benton Elks. Beck totaled 2,263 yards and 38 touchdowns in his senior campaign, tossing 21 touchdowns to just one interception. The 2024 all-state athlete ends his career with 4,003 passing yards, 44 touchdowns to just eight interceptions, adding 2,800 rushing yards with 55 rushing touchdowns. “Colt's capacity on offense was limited due to injury for five weeks throughout the season. He did not get a designed carry throughout those 5 weeks of the season and still managed to put up a significant rushing stat line for the season,” said ELB head coach Kaleb Haas. “His great decision making and accuracy passing the ball is reflected in his completion percentage and touchdown-to-interception ratio.”

ATHLETE: Jackson Wadsworth, Sr., Hamlin (6-3, 205)

Jackson Wadsworth was a focal point in Hamlin’s offensive gameplan. Wadsworth completed 73% of his passes for 2,480 yards and 30 touchdowns to just five interceptions, rushing 44 times for 252 yards and four touchdowns as well. Wadsworth is a two-time all-state selection, two-time all-conference selection, and was the 2024 Class 9AA state title Joe Robbie MVP and Outstanding Back. The Northern State men’s basketball commit ends his career with 4,631 passing yards, 69 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, rushing 157 times for 861 yards and 19 touchdowns. “Jackson is the person who makes our offense click,” said Hamlin head coach Jeff Sheehan. “He is one of the smartest players I have coached and he is a true leader of this team. Working with him has been truly enjoyable as he tells me what he is seeing and what he thinks can beat the defense he is facing. He is a tough kid who plays at a high level no matter what he is doing.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Quintin Westley, Sr., Elkton-Lake Benton (5-11, 185)

Quintin Westley was a force on the Elkton-Lake Benton defensive line. Westley totaled 72.5 tackles (19 tackles for loss), 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass break-ups this season. The returning all-state defensive lineman ends his career with 74 tackles (42.5 tackles for loss), 19.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and recoveries as well as four pass break-ups. “Quintin is an extremely high motor player,” said ELB head coach Kaleb Haas. “He does a great job setting the edge on run, this is reflected by his 19 tackles for loss. Quintin also does a great job pressuring the QB on pass, this is shown with his 8.5 sacks on the year. Quintin is a defensive end that any team in the state would love to have on their team.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Aiden Abraham, Sr., Hamlin (6-2, 195)

Aiden Abraham lived in the opponents backfield. Abraham recorded 82 tackles (25 tackles for loss), 10 sacks and two forced fumbles this season for the Chargers. The two-time all-conference pick ends his career with 168 total tackles (50 tackles for loss), 22.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. “Aiden is a true leader,” said Hamlin head coach Jeff Sheehan. “:He will do what is best for the team. He is a great motor player and works hard at everything he does. As a coach you love when a player does exactly what it is you want them to do and works to make it perfect. He is a great leader and great overall person.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Carter Fischer, Sr., Scotland/Menno (6-4, 235)

Carter Fischer was a playmaker on the Scotland/Menno defensive line. Fischer recorded 58 tackles (12 tackles for loss), six sacks and two pass deflections as well. “Tough kid,” said Scotland/Menno coach Tom Sattler. “Played most of the season with a torn ligament in his hand, led in most all categories for us on defense.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Wyatt Anderson, Sr., Parkston (5-10, 180)

Wyatt Anderson was a force on the Parkston defensive line. Anderson tallied 70 tackles (seven tackles for loss), 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble in his senior season. Anderson was a two-year starter and two-time all-conference selection. “He's fast off the snap, low to the ground, and his wrestling background provides great use of hands and awareness,” said Parkston head coach Matt Grave. “He was our best defensive lineman.”

LINEBACKER: Gage Jodozi, Jr., Parkston (6-3, 220)

Gage Jodozi was a field general for the Trojans. Jodozi recorded 93 tackles (seven tackles for loss), 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and recovery, two pass break-ups, one blocked punt and one safety this season. The 2024 all-state honorable mention also had 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns, catching five passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns as well. “Gage Jodozi is our best all-around football player on both sides of the ball,” said Parkston head coach Matt Grave. “He has a natural football IQ added with his preparation. He is able to take on blockers from every angle with hands and strength. He has the ability to run sideline to sideline through traffic and finish plays. He has the ability to open hips and run with tight ends and wide receivers, but we let him play more downhill this year and it showed in how he finished plays.”

LINEBACKER: Brady Schroedermeier, Sr., Viborg-Hurley (6-3, 195)

Brady Schroedermeier was a defensive leader for Viborg-Hurley. Schroedermeier recorded 71 tackles (10 tackles for loss), five interceptions, two pick-sixes and three sacks in his senior year. Schroedermeier ends his career totaling 185 tackles (28 tackles for loss), seven sacks, nine interceptions and three pick-sixes. “Brady is a tremendous athlete with great instincts for the ball,” said VH head coach Rob Kessler. “Over the course of his career he has played a very rangy outside linebacker for us, making many tackles, playing great in coverage, and having the ability to blitz, which has made it possible for him to make plays all over the field at every level. Brady is an intense, hard hitting, and aggressive player on the defensive side of the ball who will be very missed next season.”

LINEBACKER: Myles Poindexter, Sr., Elkton-Lake Benton (6-1, 195)

Myles Poindexter flew around the field for Elkton-Lake Benton. Poindexter totaled 101.5 tackles (13 tackles for loss), 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown this season. Poindexter ends his career with 168 tackles (40.5 tackles for loss), 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown. “Myles is one of the best linebackers in the state,” said ELB head coach Kaleb Haas. “His ability to shed blocks and make sure tackles has been a huge piece of our defense this year. Myles has a nose for the ball and a knack for creating turnovers. Along with his 100+ tackles this year, he has forced five turnovers himself this season.”

LINEBACKER: Chevy Fees, Soph., Kimball/White Lake (5-11, 170)

Chevy Fees was a force for the Kimball/White Lake defense. Fees recorded 101 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions this season. Fees has 121 tackles and four interceptions so far in his career, and broke the school record for most tackles in a season. “Chevy is a hybrid player,” said KWL head coach Ryan Skluzak. “He lines up all over the field for us on defense. He is a versatile athlete that can line up anywhere on the field and be a threat. He plays tremendously hard and has no quit in him. On defense he is a force all over the field. He is a true sideline-to-sideline player. In our first round playoff game he recorded 17 tackles. Chevy makes plays in the box or on the perimeter. He is a force on all three levels of our defense.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Colt Keiser, Sr., Gregory (6-6, 185)

Colt Keiser was a lockdown corner for the Gorillas. Keiser tallied 53 tackles, six interceptions including two returned for touchdowns and one fumble recovery this season. Keiser was a 2024 all-state honorable mention selection and two-time all-Missouri Valley Conference pick as well. “Colt is a big, fast defender that could match up with anyone one-on-one,” said Gregory head coach Mike Murrary. “He has a great eye for the ball and the closing speed to get there. He is also not afraid to come up and make a tackle on the run.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Easton Tschetter, Soph., Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (5-10, 165)

Easton Tschetter was a physical player for the state champion Phoenix. Tschetter collected 104 tackles (5.5 tackles for loss), three interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a pick-six and a punt return touchdown this season for Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy. Tschetter has 143 tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries so far in his career. “Easton has been all over the field this season making plays,” said FMFA coach Dustin Tschetter. “He leads our team in tackles from the secondary on a team giving up 9.2 points per game. He’s also our lock down cornerback when we go man-to-man.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Dayn Goodman, Sr., Kimball/White Lake (6-1, 160)

Dayn Goodman was dominant in the Kimball/White Lake secondary. The senior collected 58 tackles, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries this season. Goodman ends his career with 126 tackles, nine interceptions and three fumble recoveries as well. “Dayn was our best cover corner,” said KWL head coach Ryan Sluzak. “We put Dayn on the opponent's best wide receiver. We trusted him to be a shut down corner and to make plays when challenged. Dayn is a smart and instinctual player who made plays for us on all three levels of defense. Against the run, Dayn was aggressive on the perimeter of our defense and was a solid open field tackler.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Logan Street, Soph., Hill City (5-10, 145)

Logan Street had 69 kickoffs, 48 for touchbacks, kicking 47-of-49 on extra points and five-of-seven on field goals. Street is now a two-time all-state special teams player, breaking the nine-man state record for longest field goal with a 52-yard boot this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Isaiah Crownover, Jr., Bon Homme (6-0, 205)

Isaiah Crownover ran 62 times for 484 yards and five touchdowns, catching 10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. The two-time all-Missouri Valley Conference player also had 67 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one blocked punt this season. “Isaiah has been a cornerstone of our program the last two years,” said Bon Homme head coach Tom Culver. “He is a hard worker and a true leader on our team. Isaiah was a key cog in our offense both as a threat to run and an outstanding lead blocker. Isaiah was also our middle linebacker the last two seasons and led the team in tackles for both seasons. He also handled all of our punting, kickoff and extra point duties.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Brenner Gerdes, Viborg-Hurley; Bryce Hawkinson, Graham Fosness and Jaxon Zuehlke, Britton-Hecla; Jason Porth, Hanson; Major Aarstad, Bon Homme; Alaric Knittel, Freeman-Marion/Freeman Academy; Landon Keiser, Gregory; Slayten Wilkinson, De Smet; and Wanner Enriquez, Elkton-Lake Benton.