State finalists Warner and Deubrook Area highlight this season’s Class 9A all-state football team, which was selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association. 

Warner, which won its first-ever state football championship, was represented by Hunter Cramer, Brodey Sauerwein, Preston Cavalier and Charlie Dulany. Deubrook Area’s Gavin Landmark, Dylan Rios, Devon Landmark, Jake Jorenby and JP Rogness were all-state selections for the Dolphins. 

Here is the complete Class 9A all-state team:

QUARTERBACK: Tage Ortman, Sr., Canistota (6-0, 180)

Ortman capped off an outstanding career for the Hawks. He finished with 1,747 passing yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He added 925 rushing yards and 12 more rushing scores. On defense, he posted 52.5 tackles and three interceptions. For his career, Ortman passed for 4,820 yards and 52 touchdowns. He added 1,857 rushing yards and 27 rushing scores. On defense, he logged 95 tackles and six interceptions. “Tage is a very smart football player that excels both on and off the field,” Canistota coach Brad Struck said. “He was a captain and a three-year starter.”

QUARTERBACK: Hunter Cramer, Sr., Warner (6-1, 185)

Cramer powered the Monarchs to their first state championship. He rushed for 1,134 yards and 27 touchdowns, while passing for 1,407 yards and 12 more scores. He logged 2,541 total yards of offense. For his career, he racked up 3,307 rushing yards and 79 touchdowns. He passed for 4,022 yards and 40 touchdowns. He finished with 7,329 total yards and 119 career touchdowns. He was a four-time all-conference player and two all-conference offensive MVP. “Hunter has been a big part of our football program for the past four years,” Warner coach Kerwin Hoellein said. “He will finish his career as one of the best players in Warner history. He is a great player, great teammate, great leader, and a great role model.”

FULLBACK/H-BACK: Jose Topete-Lopez, Jr., Alcester-Hudson (5-10, 235)

Topete-Lopez logged 634 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, while posting 35 tackles and five sacks on defense. He has 1,467 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns so far in his career. He has 97.5 tackles and 8.5 sacks on defense. “Jose is a punishing runner and good blocker,” Alcester-Hudson coach Brian Haak said. “He continues to work hard to improve himself in every aspect of the game from blocking to ball security. We love to run the ball and that always started with Jose.”

RUNNING BACK: Rylee Veal, Jr., Harding County-Bison (6-0, 210)

Veal rushed for 1,544 yards on 164 carries and scored 22 rushing touchdowns this season. A two-time all-stater, Veal has 3,352 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns in his career. Veal is a two-time first-team all-conference player. “He was the focal point of our offense and is a complete running back,” Harding County/Bison coach Jay Wammen said. “Rylee is a back that gets stronger as the game goes on and he has excellent vision to go along with his big frame and cut back abilities.”

RUNNING BACK: Gavin Landmark, Sr., Deubrook Area (6-1, 185)

Landmark was key in Deubrook Area’s resurgence over the past few seasons. This year, he rushed for 1,256 yards on 153 carries and scored 25 touchdowns. For his career, he logged 1,702 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. He added three touchdown catches. He is a two-time all-conference player. “He is one of the toughest, hardest working kids I've been around,” Deubrook Area coach Nathan Lamb said. “He has smarts, speed, and strength, and is an incredible leader. He does an outstanding job coaching up the young kids as well.”

RUNNING BACK: Layton Terkildsen, Sr., Philip (5-11, 200)

Terkildsen tallied 979 yards on 97 carries and scored 20 touchdowns for the Scotties, who made a run to the semifinals. He added two touchdown receptions and one punt return for a touchdown. “Hard-working kid,” Philip coach Chandler Sudbeck said. “He has been in the weight room since he was a freshman and has been a starter since he was a sophomore.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Jovi Wolf, Sr., Chester Area (6-0, 175)

Wolf was a deep threat for the Flyers. He hauled in 522 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He added 150 rushing yards and a touchdown, while throwing for 121 yards and another score. Wolf is a four-time all-conference player and a four-time all-stater. 

WIDE RECEIVER: Moshe Richmond, Jr., Wolsey-Wessington (6-3, 195)

Richmond was a big target for the Warbirds on offense. He hauled in 551 receiving yards on 43 receptions and caught seven touchdowns. He added 159 yards rushing and two touchdowns. On defense, he posted two interceptions and 59 tackles (25 solo). For his career, he has 983 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, the junior has 69 career solo tackles and eight interceptions. 

“Moshe is a one of a kind player who puts in the work in the off-season to prepare himself to play at a high level,” Wolsey-Wessington coach Hayden Hooks said. “Throughout the season we saw many different looks to account for Moshe. Most often being double teamed.”

TIGHT END: Brodey Sauerwein, Sr., Warner (6-4, 200)

Sauerwein was a key target for the state champs. He hauled in 308 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He was a key blocker for a team that rushed for 2,452 yards and averaged 45.4 points per game. He was a two-year starter and an all-conference player. “Brodey has worked very hard on the field and in the weight room to become a very good football player,” Warner coach Kerwin Hoellein said. “Brodey does a great job of setting the edge and putting pressure on the quarterback. He is a very smart player.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Dominic Van Egdom, Sr., Alcester-Hudson (6-4, 230)

The Cubs rushed for 2,797 yards and 42 touchdowns, while passing for 792 yards with Van Egdom paving the way. Alcester-Hudson had 7,963 rushing yards during Van Egdom’s career. He added four touchdowns the past two seasons as a tight end and posted 84.5 tackles, 17.5 sacks and two interceptions on defense. He was a three-time all-conference player. “Dominic is a physical and punishing blocker,” Alcester-Hudson Brian Haak said. “When we needed the tough yards we ran behind Dominic. We asked him to move from TE to guard this year and he responded with ‘whatever the team needs, I'll do it.’ ” 

OFFENSIVE LINE: Dylan Rios, Sr., Deubrook Area (6-4, 265)

Rios helped block for the Dolphins’ high-powered offensive attack. He was an all-conference player. “A very coachable player,” Deubrook Area coach Nathan Lamb said. “Dylan's technique on both sides of the ball has improved to an all-state Level.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Preston Cavalier, Jr., Warner (6-0, 225)

Cavalier helped the Monarchs rush for 2,452 yards and pass for another 1,487 yards this season. He was a two-year starter and an all-conference selection. “Preston is a very strong/athletic offensive lineman,” Warner coach Kerwin Hoellein said. “When we need those tough yards, we are running behind him.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Dalton Reiff, Sr., Chester Area (6-4, 240)

The Flyers logged 1,100 rushing yards and 1,500 passing yards with Reiff paving the way up front. 

ATHLETE: Ryker Peterson, Sr., Philip (5-10, 185) 

Peterson logged 1,005 rushing yards on 105 carries and scored 18 touchdowns. He added 373 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He was the conference defensive MVP. “Great all-around athlete,” Philip coach Chandler Sudbeck said. “If you need to gain yards in any way on the field you put him out there.”

ATHLETE: Gracen Hansen, Sr., Timber Lake (5-11, 160)

Hansen piled up 2,311 yards of total offense, including 1,339 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. He added 978 passing yards and nine more scores. He had 113 tackles on defense. He’s an all-conference player and a state placewinner in the hurdles. “Gracen is a great young man who is a leader amongst our team and our community,” Timber Lake coach Ryan Gimbel said. “He plays well above his size.”

Deubrook Area's J.P. Rogness scores a touchdown against Warner in the Class 9A state title game. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

DEFENSIVE LINE: Brandon Kjetland, Sr., Canistota (6-5, 280)

Kjetland logged 26 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the Hawks. He added one fumble recovery, one interception and 86 receiving yards/TD on offense. He posted 57.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his career. “Brandon was a team captain who played every position on the offensive and defensive lines for us this past season,” Canistota coach Brad Struck said. “He was the communicator and leader on the line.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Dan Peterson, Sr., Timber Lake (5-11, 225)

Peterson powered the Panthers at the line of scrimmage. He finished with 87 tackles, nine sacks and one interception this season. He was an all-conference player. 

“Dan is a hard-working kid that battled through injuries and built himself for his senior year,” Timber Lake coach Ryan Gimbel said.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Brennan Glines, Sr., Harding County/Bison (5-11, 200)

Glines led the Ranchers with 43 tackles (28 solo), 16 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and four forced fumbles. He posted 18 career sacks and was an all-conference player. “Brennan was an explosive DE for us all season long,” Harding County/Bison coach Jay Wammen said. “His first step is very powerful, and he was just as strong versus the run. He is our team captain and really came into his own on the defensive side of the football for us this year.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Adam Heyn, Sr., Castlewood (5-11, 185) 

Heyn helped the Warriors rush for 1,400 yards and pass for 1,110 yards. On defense, he logged 37 tackles, three sacks and one fumble recovery. He was a two-time all-conference player and three-year starter. “Adam was the leader of this year's group,” Castlewood coach Doug Ruesink said. “Smart and tough kid we could've put anywhere. He really wanted to play FB or HB, but the need was there at center the last 2 years. He took the job and ran with it. Orchestrated the O-line. Hard-nosed defender who had a love for contact and physicality.”

LINEBACKER: Charlie Dulany, Sr., Warner (5-9, 165)

Dulany led the Monarchs on defense with 57 tackles and two sacks. He finished with 107 career tackles and three sacks. He also rushed for 309 yards and seven touchdowns from his fullback position. “Charlie gets those tough yards between the tackles,” Warner coach Kerwin Hoellein said. “Where he really excels as a fullback is his blocking ability. He takes great pride in getting to his man and opening the holes.”

LINEBACKER: Devon Landmark, Sr., Deubrook Area (6-0, 175)

Landmark posted 72 tackles on defense and three fumble recoveries for the Dolphins. He started at four different defensive positions during his high school career. He also played wide receiver and tight end on offense. 

“Devon is one of the toughest kids I've been around and is willing to accept any role we ask of him,” Deubrook Area coach Nathan Lamb said. “A vocal leader and leader by example.”

LINEBACKER: Cayden Scott, Sr., Canistota (6-0, 200)

Scott posted 72.5 tackles and two sacks on defense. He added 339 rushing yards on 45 attempts, while rushing for nine scores. He added a touchdown reception. “Cayden was a captain and three-year starter whose role increased each season,” Canistota coach Brad Struck said. 

LINEBACKER: Colden Kramer, Sr., Philip (5-10, 175)

Kramer collected 59 tackles this season for the Scotties. “This is a kid who has had a lot of adversity throughout his career,” Philip coach Chandler Sudbeck said. “He dealt with shoulder problems last year that resulted in surgery and still remained a problem. He is a hard-working kid who missed a couple games this year with the shoulder still causing him problems. Was a three-year starter for the Scotties.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Jake Jorenby, Sr., Deubrook Area (6-3, 185) 

Jorenby tallied 44 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles this season. For his career, he posted 72 tackles and three interceptions. He was a two-time all-conference selection. “Jake is a tremendous athlete and comes from a very athletic family,” Deubrook Area coach Jake Jorenby said. “Jake is very coachable and has a good understanding of our pass concepts and does a good job of being versatile in our passing game.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Mattix Hausman, Sr., Estelline-Hendricks (5-7, 150)

Hausman finished the season with 17 tackles and six interceptions, while throwing for 486 yards and seven touchdowns. He rushed for 736 rushing yards on 134 attempts and scored seven touchdowns. For his career, he logged 1,616 passing yards, 1,192 rushing yards, 60 tackles and eight interceptions. He is an all-conference player. “Mattix has been our team leader and a major reason for our success the past two seasons,” Esteline/Hendricks coach Tim Cass said. “He's smart and very athletic.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Brady Scott, Jr., Canistota (6-1, 190)

Scott tallied 43 tackles and two interceptions this season on defense. He added 423 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 110 yards and two more scores. A junior, Scott had logged 85 tackles and four interceptions so far in his career. He’s also hauled in 572 yards and seven touchdowns on offense. “Brady played DB and WR for us and we would put him on the team's best WR if we were in man-to-man coverage,” Canistota coach Brad Struck said. 

SPECIAL TEAMS: Rylan Peck, Sr., Gregory (6-0, 175)

Peck posted a 36.78 average per punt and total 846 yards on 23 punts. Peck was also Gregory’s quarterback and the 2022 Class 9A all-state quarterback. “His rugby style punts are deep and allow coverage to be down the field making returns very difficult,” Gregory coach Mike Murray said. “Under pressure he even punted one with his non-dominant (right) foot.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: J.P. Rogness, Sr., Deubrook Area (5-10, 160)

Rogness was a dangerous threat in the return game. This season, he averaged 34 yards per kickoff return and 34.75 yards per punt return. He returned three special teams returns for touchdowns in the state championship. “JP is a very strong, fast, and explosive player,” Deubrook Area coach Nathan Lamb said. “He probably doesn't get the ball as much as he should. He is also a threat to score any time he touches the ball. JP fits into our kick return scheme and is a dangerous punt returner.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Layke Wold, Chester Area; Lane Kuchenbecker, Jess Jones and Jensen Fitch, Philip; Wyat James and Camden Miller, Estelline-Hendricks; Ty Doblar, Canistota; Camron Eng, Castlewood; and William Hallaway, Alcester-Hudson.