Elkton-Lake Benton at Hamlin 

HAYTI — Two of the top-3 ranked teams in the Class 9AA South Dakota prep media poll will have another classic in store Friday.

Class 9AA No. 3 Elkton-Lake Benton (6-1) travels to No. 2 Hamlin (7-0) Friday night in a rematch of last season’s state semifinals, a 20-16 win for Hamlin.

The Elks have been a force all season aside from one loss to Class 9AA No. 1 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy, 42-28, on Sept. 5. Since then, the Elks have ripped off four straight wins. Their signature win came on Aug. 29 in a 43-0 win over Viborg-Hurley, and most recently knocked off Britton-Hecla, 36-13, last week. Quarterback Colt Beck and running back Eliot Erickson highlight the Elks offense, with Beck breaking a school record for career rushing yards just last weekend (2,385), while Erickson broke the school record for most rushing yards (350) and rushing touchdowns (6) in a single game.

On the other side, Hamlin has quietly been one of the most dominant teams in 9AA, including the best scoring defense in nine-man football, allowing just four points per game.

On the season, the defending 9AA state champions have pitched a shutout in five of seven games this season, allowing a total of 29 points on the year. Offensively, the Chargers are scoring 45 points per game, tied for the second-most in Class 9AA. Returning all-stater Jackson Wadsworth is one of the best quarterbacks in nine-man football this season, and could clinch the No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a win.

Sioux Falls Lutheran at Dell Rapids St. Mary 

DELL RAPIDS — The premier matchup in Class 9B takes place in Dell Rapids Friday.

Class 9B No. 2 Dell Rapids St. Mary (7-0) takes on Sioux Falls Lutheran (5-2) as its last test in its undefeated regular season run. The Cardinals are coming off a signature win over Class 9A No. 4 Alcester-Hudson, 34-20, and will look to carry that momentum into Friday’s contest. St. Mary is averaging 51 points per game, good for the second most points in the class, while allowing just 11 points per game. Returning all-stater Trimmier Hanson has led the charge all season and made his impact on last week’s win over the Cubs, recorded two rushing touchdowns, a passing touchdown and a receiving touchdown, tallying over 200 total yards from scrimmage.

The Eagles will once again face a top-ranked 9B opponent after falling to top-ranked Avon earlier this season, 62-20. SFL has ripped off wins over Irene-Wakonda (52-20), Oldham-Ramona/Rutland (30-20), Arlington (49-14), Canistota (44-0) and Gayville-Volin (36-14). The Eagles are averaging 37 points per game while allowing 23 points per game on defense, and are led by Rowen Becker, Abbot Muller and Cooper Ovenden, who combined for 266 rushing yards and five touchdowns against Irene-Wakonda on Aug. 22.

Avon at Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 

FREEMAN — A top-ranked, undefeated team will be handed its first loss Friday in Freeman.

Class 9B No. 1 Avon travels to Class 9AA No. 1 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy in the final week of the regular season with both teams currently sitting at 7-0 on the year.

The Pirates, the 2023 9B state champions, have rolled to a 7-0 start and have the No. 1 scoring offense and defense in 9B football, scoring 57 points per game while allowing just seven points per contest. Avon has picked up wins over other stout 9B teams including the likes of Sioux Falls Lutheran (62-20), Corsica-Stickney (54-8) and Colman-Egan (38-0), but will have its toughest test to date with the Phoenix.

FMFA has proved why they’re the No. 1 team in Class 9AA picking up two wins over ranked teams in the class over No. 4 Parkston (20-6) and No. 3 Elkton-Lake Benton (42-28). The Phoenix have also notched notable wins over Bon Homme (57-7) and Class 9A No. 4 Alcester-Hudson (38-19). FMFA is led by senior quarterback Riley Tschetter, who rushed for 39 yards and two touchdowns, adding 10 completions for 113 yards and a score through the air in the win over Alcester-Hudson earlier this year. Luke Peters pounded out 193 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in that win as well.

Viborg-Hurley at Howard 

HOWARD — Two teams vying for home field advantage in the playoffs battle it out in a nine-man matchup Friday.

Viborg-Hurley (5-2) heads to Howard (6-1) to close out the final week of the regular season. The Cougars currently sit as the No. 9 seed in Class 9AA and would need to win Friday to potentially host a first-round playoff game. The Cougars are averaging 39 points per game while allowing just 14 points per contest defensively, and sitting just outside the top-5 in the prep media poll with five total points. Quarterback Brady Schroedermeier has paced the Cougars all season and is a recent South Dakota State football commit.

Howard is in a similar situation as the Tigers enter Friday’s matchup as the No. 6 seed in Class 9A and will look to avoid a potential road game in the opening round of the playoffs next week. Howard is currently on a six-game winning streak after losing in the opening week to Alcester-Hudson, 40-29. The defending 9A state champions are led by quarterback Kolt Becker, who tallied 269 yards and four touchdowns on 14 carries against Canistota on Sept. 19.

Deuel at Mobridge-Pollock 

MOBRIDGE — Two one-loss Class 11B teams will battle it out Friday night in Mobridge.

Mobridge-Pollock (6-1) hosts Deuel (6-1) after the Tigers dropped its first game of the season last week to Clark/Willow Lake (44-6). MP rattled off six-straight wins before the loss to the Cyclones and are averaging 35 points per game heading into Friday’s game. The Tigers are led by junior running back Mack Saxon, who went over 2,000 career rushing yards earlier this season. 

Deuel also comes into Friday’s matchup with just one loss on the year to the Cyclones, a 20-14 loss on Oct. 3, and will try to lock up the No. 6 seed in the playoffs with a win. The Cardinals are averaging 31 points per game and have knocked off some solid competition this season, including a 46-40 win over Sioux Valley on Sept. 26. The Cardinals are led by quarterback Aiden Sievers, who passed for 122 yards and a touchdown last week against Webster Area. Gavin Kloos is the workhorse back who added 212 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries, while Troy Jenson caught nine passes for 89 yards in the win over the Bearcats as well.

Dell Rapids at Sioux Falls Christian

SIOUX FALLS — In the third No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup of the season in Class 11A, Sioux Falls Christian looks to remain unbeaten.

The Chargers (7-0) have looked every bit of its No. 1 ranking and will look to continue it Friday against Dell Rapids (6-1). SFC is scoring an average of 35 points per game, the most in 11A football, while allowing just six points per game on defense, by far the best scoring defense in the class. This is the third No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in 11A this season, with each of the first two matchups against Lennox (17-0) and Madison (42-6) going the Chargers way. SFC has only allowed more than seven points one time this season in a 48-21 win over Rapid City Christian on Sept. 5. SFC is led by sophomore quarterback Cooper Strande, who tossed for 155 yards and two passing touchdowns, adding 37 rushing yards in the win over Madison on Sept. 26. The Chargers also have four returning all-staters in Nicholas Popkes, Jensen Pixler, Tate Connell and Dawson Unruh.

Dell Rapids is a late riser in Class 11A after falling to Madison, 21-20, earlier this season. The Quarriers enter Friday’s matchup winners of five straight, including narrow victories over Tri-Valley (22-14 in OT), Class 11A No. 3 West Central (21-20) and Canton (28-27). DR is averaging 28 points per game while giving up 15 per contest defensively, and will have a tall task ahead of them with the No. 1 scoring offense in 11A. The Quarriers are led by senior quarterback Drake Eastman, as well as running backs Ryan Stubbe and Kenny Swanson. Stubbe racked up 168 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Tri-Valley, while Swanson added 47 rush yards and a touchdown in the win as well.

Tea Area at Yankton 

YANKTON — Two 5-2 Class 11AA teams will clash on Oct. 17 in Yankton. 

Class 11AA No. 2 Yankton (5-2) will host Class 11AA No. 5 Tea Area (5-2) in a top-five matchup. 

The Bucks outlasted Brookings last week, holding off a late surge from the Bobcats for the win. Yankton’s Kevin Ortiz booted two field goals, while Tate Beste found Owen Eidsness for an 11-yard touchdown strike and Beste added the two-point conversion. Yankton’s defense denied Brookings another score after the Bobcats sliced the lead to a touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

The Titans saw their three-game winning streak snapped last week, following a 15-7 setback against Watertown. The Titans gave up five Carson Schlaht field goals. Tea Area’s Mitch Grant threw a passing touchdown to Grifin Wiebenga for its lone score. 

Pierre at Spearfish

SPEARFISH — As Class 11AA continues to be unpredictable, Pierre plays at Spearfish in a top-five matchup.

Class 11AA No. 3 Pierre (4-3) plays at Class 11AA No. 4 Spearfish (5-2) in Friday high school football action. 

Pierre snapped a two-game losing streak last week, blanking Sturgis 44-0 to back above .500. Against the Scoopers, Kaleb Lounsbury threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-0 first-half lead. Carter Schiefelbein, Jarren Deal and Hudson Stoeser each caught a touchdown pass in the first half. Carter Merrill rushed for more than 100 yards and scored a touchdown. Deal added a rushing touchdown. Cooper Terwilliger hauled in a touchdown pass from Lounsbury in the second half. Porter Hunsley had two interceptions.

Spearfish, which has lost nine straight games against Pierre, is riding a two-game winning streak after a 56-6 win over Douglas on Oct. 10. Against the Patriots, Thomas Hughes had an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and tossed a four-yard touchdown pass to Jack Couaette. Couaette also had a pick-six and Kade Vavruska hauled in a touchdown reception. Owynn Meredith connected with Karsen Seyer for a touchdown, while Graham Hughes and Mick Bosh added rushing touchdowns. Meredith added a passing touchdown to Liam Goetz for the final score. 

Brandon Valley at Harrisburg

HARRISBURG — Brandon Valley will take its undefeated record on the road to Harrisburg.

Class 11AAA No. 1 Brandon Valley (7-0) will play at Class 11AAA No. 4 Harrisburg (5-2) in a top-five matchup. 

Brandon Valley is the last undefeated team in Class 11AAA, outscoring its opponents by 33.5 points and holding teams to 11.9 points per game on defense. The Lynx ran its record to 7-0 last week, following a 49-7 win over Mitchell. 

Against the Kernels, quarterback Will VanLeur went 5-of-7 with 112 yards passing and three touchdowns and added a 3-yard rushing score. Running back Ryder Mueller added 40 yards rushing, 37 yards receiving and two total touchdowns. Jack Blomgren added a 55-yard touchdown reception, Tristan Dulaney had 31 yards on four catches and Maddox Mueller had a touchdown reception. Camden Christion added 29 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.

Harrisburg is coming off a 31-28 setback against Sioux Falls Jefferson, snapping a five-game winning streak for the Tigers. Harrisburg led 21-0, but Jefferson rallied for the three-point victory. 

Josiah Heinz had 90 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Beckett Paulson was 14-of-30 for 303 yards. Kamden Schimmel had three catches for 102 yards.