The state champion Pierre Governors landed six players on the Class 11AA football team. The Govs were represented by Cooper Terwilliger, Carter Schiefelbein, Tucker Otte, Max Bogenhagen, Sutton Sonenschein and honorable mention nominee Ayden Behm.

The complete 11AA all-state football team is below.

QUARTERBACK: Thomas Hughes, Jr., Spearfish (6-0, 165)

Hughes is a dual-threat quarterback for the Spartans. This season, the junior completed 92-of-145 passes for 1,113 yards and 12 touchdown passes. He added 681 yards rushing on 102 carries and added nine more scores. He tallied 1,799 total offensive yards and scored 24 total touchdowns. For his career, Hughes sits at 1,783 career passing yards and 19 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,140 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He has tallied 3,104 total yards and 32 total touchdowns. “Wonderful leader, determination, perseverance,” Spearfish coach Tom Tieszen said. “He put in a lot of work in the off-season to increase his arm strength and accuracy. He was always capable of big plays.”

TE/FULLBACK/H BACK: Bergan Tetzlaff, Sr., Brookings (6-5, 235)

Tetzlaff capped a productive career for the Bobcats this season. He finished the season with 24 catches for 460 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for 317 yards on 70 carries and added seven more touchdowns. For his career, he racked up 1,160 yards receiving on 60 receptions and scored 15 touchdowns. He added 338 yards rushing on 75 carries and 10 more scores. A three-year letterwinner, Tetzlaff was a three-time all-state football player. The all-conference tight end will play college football at South Dakota State University. “Bergan is one of the finer young men I have had the privilege of meeting in my years as both a teacher and coach,” Brookings coach Carter Gordon said. “He is someone so dedicated to doing things the right way, that he never takes plays off in a game. He has been selected as a team captain for the past three years because of the admiration that his peers have for him. On top of all of his accolades, he is just a very respectful kid. He is someone that is deserving of this honor not only because of what he has accomplished in his career but also because of who he is and what he represents.”

TE/FULLBACK/H BACK: Cooper Terwilliger, Jr., Pierre (6-6, 240)

A four-star tight end, Terwilliger was a big target in Pierre’s passing attack. Terwilliger hauled in 38 catches for 549 yards and four touchdowns for the Class 11AA state champs. For his career, Terwilliger has more than 1,300 yards receiving. Terwilliger is down to Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska and Michigan for his college football destination. “Coop is a do-it-all TE,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He has faced a lot of double coverage this season but has really excelled in being a dude in the run game, in addition to a big pass threat. He has deceptive speed for his size and is an incredible athlete all over the field.”

TE/FULLBACK/H BACK: Hunter Peterson, Jr., Watertown (6-3, 230)

Peterson was a key player in the Arrow passing attack. He hauled in 28 catches for 365 yards and five touchdowns. For his career, he’s sitting at 37 catches for 425 yards and seven touchdowns. “Hunter is our best overall football player we have,” Watertown coach John Hodorff said. “His work ethic is one of the best I have ever had. Hunter is a very good leader and teammate.”

RUNNING BACK: Landon Hulst, Sr., Huron (5-11, 195)

Hulst was a dynamic running back for the Tigers. He posted 1,036 yards rushing on 159 carries and eight touchdowns this season. He logged seven games with 100 or more rushing yards. For his career, Hulst tallied 1,571 yards rushing on 300 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. “He has really been the offense motor this season for Huron,” Huron coach Dru Strand said. “He has explosive play ability which makes him a weapon on offense. Landon has really showcased his athleticism this season by being Huron's first 1,000 yard rusher in a long time.”

RUNNING BACK: Jace Sedlacek, Sr., Yankton (5-10, 180)

Sedlacek was a workhorse running back for the Bucks. He racked up 1,135 rushing yards on 235 carries and scored eight touchdowns. He averaged 103.2 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry. “Jace has been a workhorse for us,” Yankton coach Brady Muth said. “Averaged over 21 carries a game for us. Solid back for us. A very valuable piece of our offense.”

RUNNING BACK: Sully Jost, Sr., Sturgis (5-9, 210)

Jost’s season was cut due to injury, but still produced for the Scoopers. Through the first five games, Jost rushed for 547 yards on 64 carries and scored nine touchdowns. For his career, Jost rushed for 1,959 yards and 26 touchdowns, while hauling in 36 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns.  “Sully's season was cut short after only five games where he was on pace to average over 1,000 yards and 20 TDs,” Sturgis coach Chris Koletzky said. “Sully has been one of our best players for 3 straight seasons, something that is difficult to do at the tailback position.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Owen Eidsness, Sr., Yankton (6-0, 165)

Eidsness was a reliable playmaker for the Bucks. He hauled in 62 receptions for 854 yards and 13 touchdowns. “His character has set the tone for the culture in our locker room,” Yankton coach Brady Muth said. “Great player, but a better person. Not the fastest, biggest or strongest, but will compete his program.” 

WIDE RECEIVER: Carter Schiefelbein, Jr. Pierre (5-11, 170)

Schiefelbein was an electric playmaker for the state champs. He totaled 66 catches for 1,207 yards and 14 touchdowns. So far in his career, Schiefelbein has 107 catches for 1,720 yards and 18 touchdowns. “Carter is electric and has the ability to turn any play into a touchdown,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He has the breakaway speed to stretch the field and the shake to go over the middle or run the ball.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Kade Vavruska, Jr., Spearfish (6-4, 190)

Vavruska was a big target in Spearfish’s passing attack. He totaled 44 catches for 582 yards and six touchdown receptions this season. So far in his career, the junior has 54 catches for 706 yards and seven touchdowns. “Kade is a very athletic kid that hardly ever drops a pass he gets his hands on,” Spearfish coach Tom Tieszen said. “He was the leading receiver for us and caught huge pass plays during the season.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Cody Petersen, Sr., Tea Area (6-6, 265)

Petersen helped pave the way for more than 2,000 yards rushing this season. For his career, he blocked for a Tea Area offense that produced more than 7,200 the past three seasons. “Really worked hard to improve his game over the last three years,” Tea Area coach Scott Frey said. “Dominant run and pass blocker.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Asher Peil, Sr., Spearfish (6-1, 260)

Peil was a dependable blocker for the Spartans this season. He didn’t surrender a sack for a team that passed 176 times, and he logged 80 pancake blocks. “Phenomenal linemen, great footwork,” Spearfish coach Tom Tieszen said. “He was a guy we moved around to match up with the best DE we would see each week.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Drace Gaskins, Sr., Yankton (6-4, 285)

Gaskins blocked for a Bucks’ offense that racked up 1,515 rushing yards and 2,025 passing yards on 290 attempts. “Drace is a first-year starter for us this year,” Yankton coach Brady Muth said. “Competed in wrestling this year to make him tougher. Three-sport athlete.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Jaxon Henley, Sr., Aberdeen Central (6-1, 275)

Henley was a physical offensive lineman for the Golden Eagles. “Jaxon is what we look for in an offensive lineman,” Aberdeen Central coach Justin Briese said. “Smart and physical. Loves to finish blocks down field. Has done a great job as a senior to hold himself and teammates accountable.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Tucker Otte, Sr., Pierre (6-2, 240)

A two-year starter, Otte helped block for Pierre’s high-powered offense. The Governors passed for 2,381 yards and rushed for another 1,981 yards this season. “Tucker was our best OL,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “Extremely athletic and aggressive. Broke his ankle in Week 8, but was our best all around OL.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Max Bogenhagen, Sr., Pierre (6-3, 250)

Bogenhagen earned Most Outstanding Lineman honors for the Class 11AA state champs, while helping block for an offense that produced 2,381 passing yards and 1,981 rushing yards. “Bone is the bulldog of our OL group,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He is a team captain and demonstrates great leadership for our team and is the leader of our bigs group.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Austin Conway, Jr., Yankton (6-2, 280)

Conway helped pave the way for a Buck offense that produced 1,515 rushing yards and 2,025 passing yards. “Austin is a two-year starter for us as a junior,” Yankton coach Brady Muth said. “He is our best OL. He has been a big part of our offense for the last two seasons. Three-sport athlete.”

ATHLETE: Anderson Porisch, Jr., Huron (6-6, 210)

Porisch stood tall in the pocket for the Tigers, completing 101-of-188 passes for 1,298 yards and 11 touchdowns. He added 505 yards rushing on 120 carries and scored seven touchdowns. He racked up 1,802 total yards this season. For his career, the junior has passed for 1,318 yards and 11 touchdowns. “As a first-year quarterback on varsity he has taken over the leadership role,” Huron coach Dru Strand said. “He is a guy that is the first one to show up and the last one to leave.”

ATHLETE: Jaxon Cano, Sr., Sturgis (6-1, 170)

Cano was a productive quarterback for the Scoopers. He passed for 1,401 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 736 yards and 10 more scores. He was responsible for 2,100 yards of offense and 20 total touchdowns this season. “Jaxon is as fierce a competitor as they come and saw incredible improvement throughout the season,” Sturgis coach Chris Koletzky said. “Without Jaxon I believe we don't accomplish as much as a team this past season.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Chase DeBoer, Sr., Tea Area (6-4, 230)

DeBoer was a productive defensive lineman for the Titans. He finished the season with 46 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks. For his career, he totaled 94 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. DeBoer was an all-conference defensive lineman and a 2024 all-state honorable mention selection. He will play college next season at Division I Lindenwood University in Missouri. “Chase always puts the success of the team above his own,” Tea Area coach Scott Frey said. “He is the ultimate team player. I have been told by many coaches that Chase might be the best DE in the state regardless of class. Offenses had to know where he was and many times avoided him.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Edly Amaro Jr., Sr. Yankton (6-4, 235) 

Amaro Jr., was a gamechanger on defense for the Bucks. This season, he posted 36 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five sacks. For his career, he totaled 81 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. He was an all-conference selection. “Ed is a very special player,” Yankton coach Brady Muth said. “Wrestles and throws in track for us. Rare combination of size and speed. Plays with good leverage and is a gamechanger on defense.” 

DEFENSIVE LINE: Colton Smith, Sr., Mitchell (6-5, 205)

Smith produced at a high level in lone season of high school football. An all-state basketball player, Smith totaled 43 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four interceptions (three for touchdowns) and four blocked punts. “Colton made the most of his one season of high school football, leading us in tackles, tackles for loss, interceptions, defensive touchdowns, pass breakups, forced fumbles and blocked kicks and he was second in sacks,” Mitchell coach Pat Larson said. “His lack of football knowledge was offset by his pure athletic ability and high-end motor. He also led us in receiving yards and tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Blake Kannegieter, Sr., Brookings (6-1, 200)

Kannegieter was a leader and productive defensive lineman for the Bobcats. For the season, he posted 58 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. For his career, Kannegieter totaled 141 tackles, nine sacks, 17 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. “Blake has been a starter on the Bobcat defense for three years,” Brookings coach Chad Gordon said. “He was chosen as a leader on the defense last year and a team captain this year. He is a very intelligent player with a quick get off at the DE position. He has had a great career for the Bobcats, but I am most proud of how he is an advocate for the team within our community.”

LINEBACKER: Oakley Anderson, Sr., Huron (5-7, 170)

Anderson anchored Huron’s linebacker crew. He posted 140 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble. For his career, Anderson totaled 275 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception. “Oakley is the center of our defense,” Huron coach Dru Strand said. “He has made big plays all season long for us with the game on the line. He knows how to play fast and hard let alone his size. He has truly embraced how to study football film and put a game plan together on the field.”

LINEBACKER: Carter Brown, Sr., Tea Area (6-0, 195)

Brown was a consistent performer for the Titans. This season, he totaled 74 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and one sack. He was an all-conference linebacker. “Defensive leader,” Tea Area coach Scott Frey said. “Sets the fronts and coverages or the defense. Quiet leader but probably the most consistent defensive player we had.”

LINEBACKER: Kaden Decker, Sr., Watertown (5-11, 185)

Decker was a consistent defender for the Arrows. This season, he totaled 81 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions. For his career, Decker posted 204 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, five interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Decker is a two-time all-stater and two-time all-conference player. “Kaden Decker is our best defensive player and has been a starter for the past three seasons after a tough start to the season and a position change Kaden had a very good end to the year,” Watertown coach John Hodorff said. “Kaden is a good leader and hard worker.”

LINEBACKER: Zhoel Iron, Jr., Sturgis (6-1, 210)

Iron was a mainstay defender for the Scoopers this season. This season, Iron produced 73 tackles, 35 solo tackles, three sacks and three tackles for loss. “Zhoel is the type of player that eats and sleeps football,” Iron said. “Zhoel is one of the fiercest competitors I have seen come through our program.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Cale Haselhorst, Sr., Yankton (6-4, 185)

Haselhorst was a highly-productive defender for the Bucks. He totaled 44 tackles, six interceptions, 12 pass breakups and three defensive touchdowns. For his career, Haselhorst recorded 14 interceptions and 24 pass breakups. Haselhorst was also an all-conference player in 2025. “Cale is a very special player for us,” Yankton coach Brady Muth said. “He is a great example of what a free safety should be. Great vision and ball skills. Has great closing speed and is just a special athlete.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Riley Winegar, Sr., Huron (5-11, 160)

Winegar capped a productive career for the Tigers this season. He recorded 50 tackles, 31 solo tackles, six pass deflections and two interceptions this season. For his career, he posted 82 total tackles, 55 solo tackles, 10 pass deflections and four interceptions. 

DEFENSIVE BACK: Tegan LaCroix, Sr., Yankton (5-10, 170)

LaCroix was a defensive playmaker for the Bucks. He totaled 63 tackles, eight pass breakups, six interceptions and one defensive touchdown. He added four rushing touchdowns and one kickoff return for a touchdown. “Tegan is a playmaker for us,” Yankton coach Brady Muth said. “He makes an impact on all three phases of the game.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Sutton Sonnenschein, Jr., Pierre (5-10, 170)

Sonnenschein was the leader of Pierre’s defensive secondary. He posted 50 tackles, six interceptions, five pass breakups and one forced fumble this season. For his career, the junior has 95 tackles, eight interceptions, seven pass breakups, 3.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. “Sunny is the brains of the back end for us,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He does a great job checking coverages and getting everyone on the same page. He has been excellent in coverage this year and has swung a few games with key interceptions.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Liam Villanueva, Sr., Yankton (6-0, 200)

Villanueva was a valuable weapon for the Bucks’ special teams unit. He recorded 47 touchbacks, averaged 37.3 yards per punt and pinned eight punts inside the 20-yard line. “Liam is a first-year starter for us,” Yankton coach Brady Muth said. “Has worked hard to be a high impact player on our team. Liam is an important part of our gameplan. His ability to affect field position in a positive manner has been huge for us this year.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Sam Marcus, Sr., Spearfish (6-1, 230)

Marcus was a reliable special teams player for the Spartans. This season, he averaged 40.16 yards per punt, finished 24-of-29 on PAT kicks and 1-of-2 on field goals. He also recorded 11 touchbacks on kickoffs. For his career, Marcus averaged 36.2 yards per punt and converted on 49 total PAT kicks. “Ability to flip the field,” Spearfish coach Tom Tieszen said. “Due to hangtime rarely gave up any punt return yards. Gave time for guys to cover. Kickoffs were great, couldn't cover well but could kick touchbacks and consistently inside the 5.”

HONORABLE MENTION

Tate Beste, Yankton; Logan Bessler, Mitchell; Gage West, Sturgis; Lincoln Schutt, Keslar Swenson and Markus Pitkin, Watertown; Mason Jurgens and Charlie Martin, Huron; Ayden Behm, Pierre; Laythan Lucas, Spearfish; Hayden Bialas, Tea Area; and Drew Johnson, Brookings.