By Ryan Deal
605 Sports

James River, also known as Jim River, stretches throughout South Dakota and passes through several towns. Two of those towns -- Menno and Scotland -- capitalized on the river’s location and adopted it as their new football co-op: Jim River Trappers. 

Separated by 15 miles, the Menno and Scotland football co-op was approved in January. The players lobbied for black, gold and white for their colors. The Trappers nickname was pitched because it’s a combination of their previous nicknames -- Wolves and Highlanders -- said coach Ryan Robb. 

After a unanimous vote, the Jim River Trappers were born. 

“Both communities I think are pleased with it,” Robb said. “It’s pretty unique. It kind of embodies both Menno and Scotland and the Jim River splits us. I don’t think you can get much better.”

On the field, it didn’t get much better for Jim River in its team debut. On Aug. 20, the Trappers picked up a 32-13 win over Flandreau, punctuating months of building toward the season opener. 

“The kids were excited and fans were excited,” Robb said. “Us as coaches, we were happy. You put in countless hours of time that people don’t realize watching film, you are staying up at night putting plans together. You just realize all that stuff was worth it and so you just feel really good. It makes the bus ride home a lot of fun.”

It was also an impressive debut for the two former nine-man teams. Scotland finished 5-4 last season and Menno, which recently co-oped with Marion, went 1-7 in 2020. 

Quarterback Dawson Bietz recorded three total touchdowns, Treyton Sayler rushed for two scores and Turner Nicholson racked up 159 rushing yards. Jim River logged 440 total yards, including 353 rushing yards. 

“I think we found out we have some pretty good team speed,” Robb said. “We don’t have any real true blazer. We don’t have a real speedster, but overall with all 11 guys on the field, we are pretty athletic.”

At halftime, the Trappers were clinging to a 12-6 lead. Jim River used a pair of fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns by Sayler and Bietz to pull away for the win. 

“There were some hiccups early in the first half, between nerves and putting in new schemes, both offensively and defensively,” Robb said. “We were satisfied and pleased with the way we played Friday night, especially in the second half.”

The Trappers will rotate practice and home games at Menno and Scotland, with both getting two home contests. Jim River, which has 34 players on the roster, will compete in Class 11B. 

Up next, the Trappers will host Baltic this Friday in their home opener in Scotland. Jim River will also play Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central, Winner, Miller/Highmore-Harrold, Mount Vernon/Plankinton, Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota Christian and Wagner during its first season. 

“It’s going to be a good challenge,” Robb said. “There’s a lot of good football teams in our class. We are hoping every week to put the best product on the field that we can and hopefully be competitive.”