South Dakota 9AA Preview
SOUTH DAKOTA– For our last preview of 9-man games in South Dakota, we look at 9AA. Many teams have been here before, but will they prevail with another title to their resume? Please look at the games, players to watch, and…
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Continue ReadingSOUTH DAKOTA– For our last preview of 9-man games in South Dakota, we look at 9AA. Many teams have been here before, but will they prevail with another title to their resume? Please look at the games, players to watch, and a few game predictions from us at Prep Redzone Dakotas.
#4 Clark-Willow Lake at #1 Hamlin
Clark-Willow Lake (4-4) -The Cyclones will be lead offensively by Gage Burke (2022) and Sam Hovde (2021). Burke will be one you will see as more of a wildcat QB that runs the ball at well, and then there’s Hovde, a slippery running back that can break some tackles and hit that significant gain the Cyclones need. The Cyclones seem to be clicking at the right time in the season, and we may see their game with Hamlin slightly less lob sided than the late September game these two played.
Hamlin (8-0) The Chargers have some talent on both sides of the ball that will be impact players this week. Michael Stevenson is one of the significant forces on the Chargers defense. At 6’0 217 pounds, this junior is a ballhawk; no matter if he lines up on the line or at linebacker, he’s going to be in a lot of plays. At running back, Jackson Noem should lead the Chargers, making him another name on the undefeated Chargers to watch.
#3 Florence-Henry at #2 Deuel
This game is one of the more interesting ones on the schedule, being that these two foes just played each other last week. Florence-Henry (6-3) My players to watch for the Falcons are the Kelly brothers, Chase Kelly (2021), and Charles Kelly (2022), and they both are disruptive players on defense. Florence-Henry could have a chance in this one, as they led early last week against Deuel.
Deuel (3-2) Deuel had the unfortunate luck when it came to keeping games in October, playing one game last week since September 25th. My connection to watch is the one between seniors QB Tanner Preheim and WR Layton Eide. Preheim throws one of the better balls I have seen in 9-man football, and Eide is a playmaker no matter what side of the ball he’s on.
#4 Parker at #1 Viborg-Hurley
Parker may be up for another lopsided game against the Cougars of Viborg-Hurley. Parker (3-5) will need to be effective in the read-option with senior QB Colby Olson as the Pheasants are coming in as big underdogs in this game at 7:00 PM tonight.
Viborg Hurley (7-0) You would think losing the #1 QB in the Class of 2021 in the Dakotas for the season would be a considerable loss. Still, when you are a powerhouse like Viborg-Hurley, you have your next man up in junior QB Blake Schroedermeier, who has been solid in relief for the undefeated Cougars. Having an excellent, shifty back like Angel Johnson, who has terrific burst and excellent footwork, makes us think again the Cougars should be the favorites in the 9AA finals in Vermillion. At defensive back, Hayden Gilbert is another player to look out for as he’s rock-solid in coverage and is listed in our 2022 rankings.
#3 Arlington-Lake Preston at #2 Baltic
Mark this one as a possible nailbiter, as this game was close in the early October game. Arlington-Lake Preston (4-4) Has struggled against the programs over 500. this season besides Baltic, who they lost to only 22-16. I am a fan of senior RB Tate Larsen, who has been a slippery runner that’s a little tough to tackle and also has been a stud in the return game too.
Baltic (4-3) I like the big man on both sides of the ball in Corbin Wirkus, who based on the film will have a home on our 2022 rankings update. If he can pave some ground for Easton Nordbye (2021) and others and stuff Larsen, the Bulldogs will win this one.
#4 Bon Homme at #1 Platte-Geddes
Bon Homme (2-5) I bet you the Cavaliers wish they could get WR Noah Heesch back for this one against #1 seed Platte-Geddes because watching his film was electric from his career highlights tape. Bon Homme sophomore QB Riley Rothschadl looks to be the player to watch due to his ability to run around, get out of a traffic jam, and throws a solid ball to his Cavaliers receivers.
Platte-Geddes (8-0) For the undefeated Black Panthers, you have to take a look at QB Kelby VanDerWerff from the 2021 class. This kid throws some rocket balls at his receivers, and his arm strength is second to none. The film is limited, but the arm strength is worth mentioning VanDerWerff would be an excellent addition to our 2021 rankings.
#3 Parkston at #2 Hanson
Parkston (4-2) Is probably the most significant question mark out of this entire group. They’ve won four games this season with a good one over Gregory (20-14), but Parkston is one you need to watch them play live, as their film this season is pretty much non-existent.
Hanson (6-2) After starting the season 6-0, the Beavers got doubled tested by back to back games against Viborg-Hurley (7-0) and last year’s 9A champs in Canistota-Freeman (7-1). They did test Viborg-Hurley in a close battle, but the battle with the Pride was a massive shutout for Canistota-Freeman. 2023 running back tandem of Jackson Jarding and Hadley Wallace is what I would be watching in this game as Wallace, particularly, is one that I like on our next ranking update for the 2023 class.
#4 Elkton-Lake Benton at #1 Lemmon-McIntosh
Elkton-Lake Benton (2-6) The Elks are an up and coming program we covered a few weeks back. Players to watch for the Elks are QB Ryan Krog (2023) and RB Aidan Erickson (2022). Both showed some promise in their game against Viborg-Hurley we took in. Both young players have shown patience and poise in an up and coming year for the Elkton-Lake Benton (MN) co-op program.
Lemmon-McIntosh (8-0) If you haven’t heard of Cowboy’s QB Cody Thompson by now, you might not be paying much attention to SD football. Thompson and senior wideouts Jacob Hetzel and Isaiah Portwood are all Cowboys to watch in this matchup that should go to the Cowboys smoothly.
#3 Jones County/White River at #2 Rapid City Christian
Jones County/White River (3-5) The Wolverines feature senior QB/DB Colbe Scott who is a transfer from state champion Canistota-Freeman. Scott has a deep ball arm, and although he is not really mobile in the pocket, he makes bigger throws with what looks like less effort than most. Also an effective tackler in the secondary. The Wolverines will get Rapid City Christian back to back weeks in which last week wasn’t pretty.
Rapid City Christian (4-5) For the Comets, look for senior QB Sam Schlabach to connect with Avery Wipf (2022) again this week as they were connecting nicely on deep balls in their massive win over Jones County/White River, 56-8.