Take It to Vermillion: The 9-Man Edition
VERMILLION– This week’s games are for all the marbles and the winner gets a trip to beautiful Vermillion, South Dakota to play at the state finals at the Dakota Dome. We are talking 9-man state semifinals this week. I have a…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingVERMILLION– This week’s games are for all the marbles and the winner gets a trip to beautiful Vermillion, South Dakota to play at the state finals at the Dakota Dome. We are talking 9-man state semifinals this week. I have a list of players to watch, an analysis of each team’s season, and much more. It took 3000 words to break it all down, are you ready for it? It’s time to “Take it to Vermillion, the 9-man edition! Enjoy.
9B SEMIFINALS
#5 Dell Rapids St. Mary at #1 Kadoka Area
Dell Rapids St. Mary (6-2)
There has not been a team in 9B that has had to overcome more scheduling adversity than the Cardinals. First, a surprise forfeit came from Bison, and then the Cardinals had to get on a 5+ hour bus ride and got an upset win over Faith by a substantial margin. This week they will travel 3.5 hours on Interstate 90 to Kadoka again.
Players to Watch:
Ashaun Valendra-Roach TE/DE (2021)
After transferring from Todd County (SD) who opted out of this season, Valendra has gotten so much bigger playing at around 6’3 260 pounds, ideal size for the college level. Valendra doesn’t have much film with his new school but watching his junior film has the tools to be a productive tight end at the next level with reliable hands and develop more in the blocking department.
Sam Palmer DB/WR (2021)
Palmer has some consistent “go up and get it” instincts as a defensive back for the Cardinals. Plus, he’ll overtower a high percentage of the wide receivers he’ll go up against on Friday. A solid basketball player that uses his leaping ability well in the Dell Rapids St. Mary secondary.
Connor Libis Connor Libis 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Dell Rapids-St. Mary's | 2021 State QB/DB (2021)
A Briar Cliff (Iowa) basketball commit, Libis has some great football skills just as much. Alongside Palmer at DB, Libis has great vision and gets after those contest football real well. Who knows, maybe the Chargers will let this kid play football too, as Libis had 50 tackles and three interceptions last year for the Cardinals.
Kadoka Area (9-1)
Kadoka is one you need to watch in person to get the authentic vibe on the Kougars. Kadoka is a true pound the rock football program, but they have a four-man punch to get it done for about 40+ carries per game. Kadoka has stepped on defense in their last four games after a nail biter vs. Timber Lake, as they have only allowed a maximum of 12 points in each of their previous four games.
Players to Watch:
Gaven Sudbeck, RB/DB/P (2021)
I have a good bet that Sudbeck will go for at least 100 yards in this one, as he’s hit that plateau in about 80% of his games for the Kougars this season. Sudbeck has been on fire in his last three games, going for at least 185 all-purpose yards per game, and has been pulling his yards from multiple categories.
Tyus Williams, RB/LB (2023)
Consider Williams a very solid #2 running back for the Kougars. Williams has a little more frame than Sudbeck and will be used on the later downs for Kadoka Area. Williams went for over 100 yards rushing twice this season on five touchdowns and looks to be the man of the future as just a sophomore for the Kougars.
Reece Ohrtman, FB/LB (2023)
Ohrtman will be the bruiser of this group on short-yardage situations for these Kougars. Ohrtman is also a stud at linebacker with six sacks and over 50 tackles on the season and plenty of tackles for a loss. Ohrtman’s fantastic measurables at 5’11 210 pounds will be a sizeable key factor in this game. Ohrtman is another kid that has great potential as just a young sophomore.
#3 Wosley-Wessington at #2 Herreid/Selby
Wosley-Wessington (8-1)
The QB to WR connection I look to be huge again for the Warbirds this week. The Warbirds are one of the top passing teams left in 9B, led by senior Corbin Haarmeyer. He has a big connection with Tristan Abbott, who is a mighty strong 6’3 wide receiver that has some shift in his footwork that stands out. Defensively, the Warbirds have been locked in the last four games and haven’t allowed a point since their only loss to undefeated Platte-Geddes. Do they keep the shutout streak to five games? It might be challenging, but you never know in playoff football!
Players to Watch:
Payson Gohn, DE/TE (2022)
I am a fan of the way Gohn gets off tackles and finds the man with the football. Gohn has excellent measurables. He will be a crucial player in the running lanes as Herreid-Selby has multiple solid running backs that fill their backfield.
Marty Gohn, RB, (2022)
Payson’s brother Marty is another player I would be watching in this game. Gohn has a quick burst once he’s got the football, and it’s no wonder he’s the guy at running back for the Warbirds. I genuinely think this kid is a running back sleeper from the middle of rural South Dakota. Next level kid with great feet.
Jake Williams, CB/WR (2021)
Williams’s film screams, “hit stick,” regardless of wherever he is on the field. While some would determine a playmaker has one that leads his team with the ball, Williams does the opposite as he’s an exceptional teammate for the Warbirds without the ball and makes a ton of plays all over. Based on this kid’s senior film, I think he’s built himself a resume to get some college looks as I see this kid as a special teams gamer at the next level that could lead your entire unit.
Herreid-Selby (9-1)
When I started building the Dakotas site, I spent a lot of time in awe of this Wolverines roster as I was paging thru Hudl, and that story remains the same today. The number of college-level weapons on this roster, especially as underclassmen, is crazy. It all starts with their offensive line with junior guard Chance Gregg Chance Gregg 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL Herreid/Selby | 2022 State , who is an aggressive lineman that is a pure finisher and paves the way for the Wolverine rushing attack. As for the passing attack, sophomore Tray Hettick Tray Hettick 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Herreid/Selby | 2023 State is a mobile QB that gets the ball out quickly and has the solid arm strength to go along with it.
Players to Watch:
Brenden Begeman, RB/CB (2023)
It’s tough to find a weak spot in Begeman’s film whatsoever, and that’s a fact. He is so long at corner with an outstanding vertical. He is built like a rock at running back, and it is tough to get hands-on and tackle. Very impressive in the footwork department as Begeman jukes a lot of players out of their cleats. Begeman is a Division I talent in the making out of Herreid-Selby.
Trey Sayler Trey Sayler LB Herreid/Selby | 2022 State , LB/FB (2022)
Sayler is one of those in on every play type at linebacker for the Wolverines. What stands out about Sayler is his ability to stuff the run so productively. Sayler had 82 tackles, a few fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. I think this kid is a better player than the film will show as I feel Sayler gets more on that first level much more often than you see on tape. Also a productive fullback too for the Wolverines. College-level talent.
Trevor Sayler Trevor Sayler 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Herreid/Selby | 2022 State AL , LB/TE (2022)
Between these brothers this season, there are over 150 tackles for this Wolverine defense alone. Sayler stays nice and firm on that first level and is aggressive in the offense’s running paths. Trevor had 87 tackles and five tackles for a loss for the Wolverines defense during the regular season. You could more than likely get a package deal with Trevor and Trey as their both next level linebackers.
9A SEMIFINALS
#4 Canistota-Freeman at #1 Howard
This game comes off as a state championship game, just one game short of Vermillion for the state finals.
Canistota-Freeman (9-1)
There is no more significant game the Pride has been searching for more than this state semifinal game against the Howard Tigers, who just snuck out with a 16-14 victory on the road in Freeman in the regular season. The Pride was very efficient in the passing game last week against Phillp in their shutout led by do it all player Tyce Ortman Tyce Ortman 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Canistota-Freeman | 2021 State who’s Pride offense was accumulating over 20 yards per play in the air and of course the use of his long strides running the ball with ease. I don’t think there is another game in South Dakota bigger than this one to see if Canistota-Freeman can get back to Vermillion for the three-peat.
Players to Watch:
Isiah Robertson, WR (2022)
Robertson chipped in an excellent receiving game last week for the Pride. Robertson is relatively an unknown with no film on Hudl, but he was one of Ortman’s number #1 receivers last week. Can he raise his stock to another productive game against the Tigers?
Logan Katzer Logan Katzer 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Canistota-Freeman | 2021 State , TE/LB (2021)
Katzer also was productive in the receiving game last week against the outmatched Philip team the Pride went up against. Katzer was dominant in getting to that first level and using his substantial size to wear down Phillip’s ball carriers. He’ll get an excellent test against the Tigers rushing attack this week.
Howard (9-0)
The Tigers will be fun to watch on offense against this tough defense from Canistota-Freeman, who gave them all they could handle in their most challenging game of the year. Howard, the #1 ranked team in South Dakota 9-man via MaxPreps, has a stout offensive line and has some playmakers that will look to spoil the parade of the Pride of making a run at the state finals.
Players to Watch:
Tisyn Spader, QB (2022)
Spader showed off some massive arm strength on film and had a substantial release of football. I won’t expect that this game will be an offensive shootout, but Spader will need to use that arm strength and play a fantastic game, mistake-free to get ahead of the Pride on Friday.
Riley Genzlinger, RB (2021)
Genzlinger may not have the ideal measurables as Ortman but is a bouncy running back that can find some holes, hopefully in the Pride defense. With any running back, you need to start with their offensive line. The Tigers line is, in my opinion, pretty broad for 9-man, and with guys like senior William Rentz, Jace Sifore Jace Sifore 6'4" | 270 lbs | DL Howard | 2022 State , Gabe Petrik, among others, it is no wonder Genzlinger looks good on tape.
#3 Warner at #2 Wall
This game is a battle of two undefeated teams between the Monarchs and the Eagles.
Warner (9-0)
The Monarchs have played some fantastic football this season, but I have slight questions based on their schedule they have gone up against. Wall will be only the third team (played Ipswich-Edmunds Central twice) that the Monarchs have played with a winning record, which, when you look at the Eagles, their schedule looks more favorable. Despite that schedule, Warner has some solid players you’ll want to keep your eyes on this Friday night in Wall, South Dakota.
Players to Watch:
Landon Leidholt, WR/DB (2021)
Leidholt loves getting the deep ball as his film emphasizes that very quickly. A quick hitter as a defensive back, Leidholt gets to that second level pretty rapidly and is a physical player when he makes a tackle. Look for him to be an essential factor in the Monarch’s success on Friday.
Alex Braun, DL/OL (2021)
The thing I like about Braun’s film is how active he is in getting in the backfield. Braun has a lot more speed than your typical defensive linemen. His quick first step is something the Wall offensive line will have to watch out for as his mobility is outstanding.
Wall (9-0)
Most outside the state of South Dakota know the attraction in Wall that is Wall Drug Store, but what they don’t know that the Eagles have a pretty darn good undefeated football team too played on a new turf field. The most points the Eagles have allowed this year? Twenty points to a Lyman team that was 6-3. Their defense is fantastic and will make this one another great game in 9A for a trip to Vermillion.
Players to Watch:
Burk Blasius QB, (2024)
Just a freshman, Blasius showed off some talent last week against Lyman. Blasius threw for three touchdowns in the big win. Blasius is a player with great poise and great potential as Wall has dominated this season with some significant play from underclassmen like Blasius, a freshman starter for the Eagles.
Cedar Amiotte, WR/RB/LB (2023)
Bridger’s younger brother, who we talked about in our last preview, is also an excellent player for Wall. Cedar is a player you can play wherever but has lined up as an ideal target for Burk Blasius in the receiving core. Amiotte has a reliable range of motion on both sides of the ball (watch the film below) and will look to be a factor in their game against Warner as a connection will need to be vital to send the Eagles to Vermillion.
9AA SEMIFINALS
This 9AA division proves one thing: one of these four undefeated teams will lose on Friday and have their perfect season under wraps. But for the winner, they get a trip to the state finals at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion.
#4 Platte Geddes at #1 Viborg-Hurley
Platte-Geddes (10-0)
After having their first nail biter type game of the year against Hanson last week, the Black Panthers face their biggest test in 2019 state champion, Viborg-Hurley. The only team in the 9-man semifinals still playing this week that they defeated is Wosley-Wessington, who is still playing in 9B. The Black Panthers are very big in their receiving core and have some players who will need to play the best game ever to have a chance against Viborg-Hurley.
Players to Watch:
Caden Foxley, TE (2022)
Foxley already has college-level measurables at 6’4 230 pounds. This kid can also lineup outside to create such a mismatch against the opposing secondary. The tandem that is Foxley and Jackson Olsen (2022) at tight end will be something the Cougars will have to watch for closely on Friday.
Nate Whalen, WR (2021)
Whalen is a receiver that you’ll need to know where he’s lined up because he is Kelby VanDerWerff’s #1 target at wide receiver. Whalen’s ability to be versatile from multiple football spots is what makes him a standout to watch in this game. Whalen is also a very alert wide receiver and will grab or dive for any ball that comes his way!
Viborg-Hurley (9-0)
Both these teams have in common that both teams played very close with the Hanson Beavers, winning both games by a touchdown. The Cougars have been unmatched this entire season despite losing Chase Mason Chase Mason 6'4" | 215 lbs | QB Viborg-Hurley | 2021 State in the first game of the season as Blake Schroedermeier Blake Schroedermeier 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Viborg-Hurley | 2022 State has been solid in relief and is getting those QB1 reps a year earlier than expected which I think will be very helpful going into next season as well. I think the Cougars may be the most untouchable team in 9-man, so I am curious to see how they play against the Black Panthers, who are well above the skill level of the entirety of their schedule in 2020.
Players to Watch:
Carter Gust RB/LB (2021)
If were are talking running back tandems, it’s no surprise the Cougars have an excellent one-two punch in Gust and Angel Johnson Angel Johnson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Viborg-Hurley (SD) | 2021 State back there. Gust is more of the power running back of the two as his ability to run hard with contact makes him a reliable option for Viborg-Hurley in the later downs when they want to wear down a defense like they have done all year. Gust also has some pep at linebacker, making fierce tackles on ball carriers whenever he gets a chance. One that I’ll admit probably was missed in our 2021 rankings when rolling back his film on this loaded roster of the Cougars.
George Johnson, DB/RB (2023)
If you thought for a second, there wasn’t another Johnson coming up the ladder of Viborg-Hurley football; you would be mistaken! Angel’s little brother George is a dynamite defensive back in the Cougars secondary. He has excellent skills on the ball and is good at using his vertical to knock the ball down. The secondary between him and Hayden Gilbert Hayden Gilbert 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Viborg-Hurley | 2022 State is another fantastic tandem this roster has. He doesn’t have the reps yet on film at running back, but that’s bound to come next season with his big brother graduated.
#3 Lemmon/McIntosh at #2 Hamlin
If you want polar opposite offensive styles, you’ll have it in this game.
Lemmon-McIntosh (10-0)
When you have talent like Cody Thompson Cody Thompson 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Lemmon/McIntosh | 2021 State as your QB1, you “chuck the pigskin,” said the notorious video gamer that applied for the North Dakota football coaching job quite a few years back. The Cowboys also are stout on defense, allowing no more than 16 points in any game this season. TheIr pound the rock down your throat (Hamlin), and the Madden throw the ball like crazy (L-M) will be a game to watch as we’ll dive into the Cowboys players to watch next!
Tanner Miller, DB (2021)
Miller, who moved from Lennox this offseason, has played a significant role as both a clutch wide receiver and in the secondary for the Cowboys. He’s locked coverage in the secondary, and the ability to be physical on his hits is what stood out to me on film. He’ll need to get down to that second or first level with the number of times the Chargers will run the ball tomorrow.
Jacob Hetzel, WR (2021)
Look for Hetzel to be one of Thompson’s top targets outside at wide receiver for the Cowboys. He makes long strides in his runs and has a solid burst. You can tell Hetzel puts all his effort into the game as he has grown as the go-to receiver when Thompson is looking to go deep because Hetzel uses such good technique to get the ball in his arsenal to catch.
Hamlin (10-0)
Hamlin approaches their game much differently than the Cowboys do, and it’s like night and day. Led by the power running back Jackson Noem, the Chargers will look to the ground and pound into the Cowboys defense on Friday. Hamlin’s season has been based on the smooth approach, as they eased into their first two wins of the season, beating teams in those two by a total of 7 points, but then they started running a track meet and have started to take the pedal to the floor and have been outscoring their last two opponents, not a joke, 100 to 0.
Xander Sheehan, QB (2021)
Although the Chargers lean heavily on the run game, it will be Sheehan with the ball in his hand as QB1. When you watch his tape, you see a player who will find that 5-10 yard route and hit that receiver. He did show he has some strength in that arm of his, but the Cowboys defense will need to identify where he’s throwing those 5-10 yard routes and make sure the wide receiver doesn’t outrun their secondary that I can’t say I am concerned about.
Dawson Arbach, OL, (2022)
Arbach didn’t have any film, but I was very intrigued by this kid’s size on the line at 6’3 240 pounds of muscle. When I look at the Cowboys’ lines, they have the advantage, as they many more kids over the 200-pound mark than the Chargers do.