Winner at Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan

Two Class 11B teams that have a familiar history with one another will meet once again in Bridgewater on Friday. The Warriors and Seahawks have played each other in the last three Class 11B state championship games.

The top-ranked Winner Warriors are 5-0 on the season and look to pick up another win against the Seahawks. The Warriors have defeated the Seahawks in the past two Class 11B state championships games, winning 18-14 in 2020 and 40-8 last season. Winner boasts a dynamic rushing attack led by Aiden Barfuss (442 rushing yards, seven touchdowns) and Riley Orel (427 rushing yards, seven touchdowns). The Warriors average 45.6 points per game offensively, while giving up only 6.4 points per game defensively.

Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan also enters the game with a 5-0 record. The second-ranked Seahawks won the 2019 Class 11B title game over Winner, 21-14, and look to be back on top of the Warriors this season. BEE also relies on a rushing attack led by running back Riley Endres (481 rushing yards, eight touchdowns). Wide receiver Sutton Arend leads the team with 221 receiving yards. The Seahawks average 29.6 points per game on offense, while allowing just 9.4 points per game on defense.

Hamlin at Warner

Hamlin and Warner put their undefeated records on the line in Warner on Friday.

The Hamlin Chargers are ranked No. 3 in Class 9AA and enter the game with a 6-0 record. For the second straight week the Chargers face a top-five Class 9A opponent, defeating No. 3 Castlewood last week 61-20. The Chargers rely on a balanced offense that averages 49.7 points per game, while boasting a stifling defense that allows just 7.3 points per game. Hamlin is led by quarterback Tyson Stevenson (814 passing yards, 17 touchdown passes) and running back Luke Fraser (932 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns). Wide receiver Evan Stormo leads the team with 233 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions.

Warner is 5-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class 9A entering the contest. The Monarchs are led by running back Hunter Cramer, who has rushed for 744 yards and nine touchdowns. Running backs Zach Wood and Charlie Dulany have added five and three touchdown runs, respectively. Warner averages 41.8 points per game offensively, while allowing 15.2 points per game defensively. 

Harding County/Bison at Wall

West River pundits will have their eyes on this matchup in Wall on Friday.

Wall has steamrolled through their first six games, going 6-0 while averaging 51.5 points per game. The defense has been just as superb, allowing only 5.3 points per game. Wall is led by quarterback Burk Blasius (1,045 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes; 223 rushing yards), running back Cedar Amiotte (447 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns; 156 receiving yards, two touchdowns), and wide receiver Rylan McDonnell (421 receiving yards, six touchdown receptions). Last week, the Eagles rolled past then-Class 9A No. 4 Lyman, 48-6, and will look to continue that trend against another Class 9A foe, Harding County/Bison.

The Ranchers enter the matchup with a 5-1 record, the only loss coming at the hands of Kadoka Area, 40-22. Harding County/Bison has outscored its opponents by an average of 38 points per game, and has proven to be explosive on offense as well and tenacious on defense. The Ranchers are led by quarterback Kelby Hett, who has thrown for 1,097 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. Hett is accompanied by sophomore running back Rylee Veal, who has rushed for 749 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior tight end Gage Gilbert (535 receiving yards, seven touchdowns) is Hett’s favorite target, while Braden Routier has four receiving touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns.

Parkston at Gregory

Two Missouri Valley Conference foes will meet in Gregory on Friday.

Gregory is the No. 1 team in Class 9A, and with a record of 5-0, has proven that No. 1 ranking with the help of a high-powered offense and a stout defense. The Gorillas average 41.8 points per game offensively, while only allowing 10.2 points per game on defense. Gregory is led by dual-threat quarterback Rylan Peck, who has passed for 536 yards and eight touchdowns, while rushing for 522 yards and 12 touchdowns. Running back Owen Hansen has rushed for 367 yards and also adds 176 receiving yards. Eli Fogel leads the team with three touchdown receptions.

Parkston enters the contest with a record of 5-1, and despite being ranked for much the season, find themselves outside of the top-five in Class 9AA this week. The Trojans are still receiving some votes, however, and with a win against the top-ranked Gorillas, look to climb back into the rankings before season’s end. Parkston is led by quarterback Kaleb Weber and running backs Brayden Jervik and Luke Bormann. The Trojans average 34.3 points per game on offense, while giving up just 8.5 on defense. Parkston’s lone loss was an 8-6 decision against Class 9AA No. 4 Hanson on Sept. 9.

Dell Rapids at Beresford

Dell Rapids puts its undefeated record on the line as they travel to No. 3 Beresford on Friday.

The Quarriers are ranked No. 2 in this week’s Class 11A poll and enter the game with a 5-0 record. Dell Rapids averages 36.8 points per game on offense, while allowing 16.6 points per game on defense. The Quarriers are led by quarterback Jack Henry (239 passing yards, two touchdown passes; 201 rushing yards, one touchdown run), running back Mason Stubbe (413 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns), and Brayden Pankonen (130 receiving yards, one touchdown reception).

Beresford enters the matchup with a 4-1 record, with the lone loss coming at the hands of Class 11B No. 1. Winner, 22-0. The third-ranked Watchdogs have a potent offensive backfield, led by running back Peyton Fridrich, who has rushed for 577 yards and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Tate VanOtterloo has passed for 270 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 158 yards and three touchdowns. Beresford averages 24.4 points per game on offense, while allowing 16.2 points per game on defense.

O’Gorman at Sioux Falls Jefferson

No. 1 Sioux Falls Jefferson hosts No. 2 O’Gorman in a much anticipated Class 11AAA matchup at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls on Friday.

Sioux Falls Jefferson enters the game 5-0, averaging 44.0 points per game offensively, while surrendering only 8.2 points per game defensively. The Cavaliers are led by senior quarterback Taylen Ashley, who has passed for 901 yards and 13 touchdowns. Ashley’s favorite target is senior Griffin Wilde, who has 500 receiving yards and six touchdowns receptions on the season.

O’Gorman is 4-1 on the season, with the only loss coming against Class 11AA No. 2 Tea Area, 44-41. The Knights average 48.4 points per game offensively, while giving up 25.2 points per game defensively. O’Gorman is led by quarterback Bennett Dannenbring, fullback Ryland Satter, running back Maverick Jones, and wide receivers Sully Schlimgen and Jack Hove.