Parkston at Hanson

Hanson will unveil its new turf football field for this Class 9AA clash.

In the offseason, Hanson underwent $4.1 million in renovations to its facility, which included a new turf football field and a rubberized track, along with other upgrades. The school district will host its first-ever football game tonight and what a game to show off its new field. 

Parkston is No. 4 and Hanson is No. 5 in the latest Class 9AA poll and both figure to be contenders in a crowded class. 

Parkston (3-0) has picked up quality wins against Kimball/White Lake, Platte-Geddes and Wolsey-Wessington to start the season. The Trojans feature a number of playmakers, including Brayden Jervik, Jesse Newton, Kaleb Weber, Will Jodozi, Kolter Kramer, Porter Neugebauer and Luke Bormann.

Hanson (2-1) dropped its season opener against Class 9AA No. 1 Howard, 20-12. It has since picked up shutout wins over Irene-Wakonda (48-0) and Chester Area (50-0). Against Chester Area, the Beavers racked up 377 rushing yards and their defense forced three turnovers. Hadley Wallace rushed for 180 yards on five carries and scored three touchdowns. Jackson Jarding, Weston Kayser and Stetson Rigg each scored rushing touchdowns, while Hayden Schroeder intercepted two passes. 

Beresford at Winner

Beresford travels to Winner on Friday in a matchup of two teams that are riding momentum thus far this season.

Class 11A No. 4 Beresford (2-0) has relied on their defense to begin the season. The Watchdogs have only given up 12 points this season, with wins over Milbank (41-6) and rival Canton (7-6). Beresford is led by dual-threat quarterback Tate VanOtterloo (154 passing yards, two touchdown passes; 121 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns), running backs Peyton Fridrich (187 rushing yards, one touchdown) and Jack Stenen (one receiving touchdown), and wide receiver Jake Goblirsch (one receiving touchdown).

Class 11B No. 1 Winner (3-0) has won its last 26 games and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The Warriors have earned wins over Tri-Valley (48-12), Wagner (52-12), and Webster Area (62-8). Winner utilizes its traditional potent running game, led by running backs Riley Orel (331 rushing yards, seven touchdowns) and Aiden Barfuss (252 rushing yards, three touchdowns). 

Elkton-Lake Benton at Deubrook Area

Two teams that have been surprises so far this season will square off in White on Friday.

Elkton-Lake Benton has started the season 3-0, but turned some heads after picking up a win against Bon Homme last week, 30-14. The Elks are led by dual-threat quarterback Ryan Krog, who has passed for 387 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing for 404 yards and five touchdowns. The Elks also rely on running back Riddick Westley (321 yards rushing) and wide receiver Tanner Stein (232 receiving yards, four touchdowns) to help lead the offense. 

Deubrook Area is also 3-0 on the season, with wins over Estelline/Hendricks (50-0), Colman-Egan (52-20), and Great Plains Lutheran (24-6). The Dolphins are led by quarterback Colin Bauman (236 passing yards, three touchdown passes), running back Treven Grimsrud (131 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns), and wide receiver Gavin Landmark (150 receiving yards, two touchdowns). 

O’Gorman at Tea Area

Two Sioux Falls-area schools will face off in Tea on Friday night with offenses that have a plethora of talent to showcase.

Class 11AAA No. 2 O’Gorman (2-0) has proven so far this season that they belong in the top tier of the state’s largest schools. The Knights have cruised past their first two opponents, defeating Brandon Valley (55-20) and Sioux Falls Roosevelt (62-27). O’Gorman is led by quarterback Bennett Dannenbring, who has tossed nine touchdown passes in his first two games. Maverick Jones leads the Knights in the running game with three rushing touchdowns, while fullback Ryland Satter leads the Knights in receiving. Wide receiver Jack Hove has added two touchdown receptions.

Tea Area (2-0) is rated No. 2 in Class 11AA and has proven once again this season that it belongs in the class. The Titans have relied on their running game to fuel their offense, and includes players such as Keegan DeYoung, Maddix Slykhuis, Nathan Babb, and Chase Van Tol. Tea Area looks to Van Tol, Jackson Smythe and Reis Kirschenman to lead the defense. The Titans are 2-0 on the season, with wins over Huron (45-6) and Aberdeen Central (35-0).

Hamlin at Britton-Hecla 

A matchup of teams with outstanding individual performers will play in Britton on Friday.

Hamlin comes into the game with a 3-0 record, having cruised to wins over Florence/Henry (42-6), Dell Rapids St. Mary (52-12), and Garretson (49-0). The Class 9AA No. 3 Chargers have dominated their first three opponents, in large part, due to the legs of running back Luke Fraser and the arm of quarterback Tyson Stevenson. Fraser has amassed 524 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in the first three games, while Stevenson has passed for 301 yards and eight touchdowns.

Britton-Hecla comes into the game with a workhorse at quarterback in senior BoDell Davidson. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Davidson has passed for 424 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 420 yards and six touchdowns in the first three games. The Braves are 2-1 on the season, having picked up wins against Great Plains Lutheran (44-34) and Waverly-South Shore (52-14), while losing a close contest to Florence/Henry, 12-6.

Sioux Falls Jefferson vs. Sioux Falls Lincoln (Saturday) 

The Presidents Bowl nightcap pits Class 11AAA No. 1 Sioux Falls Jefferson vs. Class 11AAA No. 3 Sioux Falls Lincoln. 

Sioux Falls Roosevelt plays Sioux Falls Washington in the first contest, with this year’s winners receiving traveling trophies named the “Rushmore Trophy” featuring nameplates added each year listing scores of the Presidents Bowl football games. 

Jefferson (2-0) jumped to the top of the Class 11AAA poll with back-to-back wins over Harrisburg (43-13) and Sioux Falls Washington (49-0). The Cavaliers feature two of the state’s most dynamic players in quarterback Taylen Ashley and wide receiver Griffin Wilde. 

Ashley, a University of Sioux Falls basketball commit, has thrown for 376 yards and four passing touchdowns this season. Wilde, a South Dakota State University football commit, has reeled in 281 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. 

Lincoln (2-0) picked up back-to-back wins over Sioux Falls Roosevelt (29-13) and Rapid City Central (56-14) to open the season. Lincoln quarterback Tate Schafer, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior, has thrown for 510 yards and six passing touchdowns.