News

This week there is only one new number one team. My number ones went 7-1 (2 bye weeks). Look for a recap of the power rankings in the next episode of Varsity Sports Now on Thursday night at 7pm on Midco Sports Network.
North Dakota
Class AAA
The top four teams all won setting up a “Final Four” type Friday. Bismarck will take on Century LIVE on Midco Sports Network on Friday at 7pm. But that’s not the only big game coming up, Mandan takes on Minot in a matchup of great quarterbacks. It’s going to be a great football Friday in the WDA. Grand Forks Red River ripped Grand Forks Central to make their first appearance in the rankings.

1. Bismarck (3-0)
2. Century (3-0)
3. Mandan (3-0)
4. Minot (3-0)
5. Grand Forks Red River (2-1)

Class AA
Grafton rode Zach Burns to three touchdowns as they rolled over Fargo Shanley to stay at number one. The Spoilers can’t let up though, they face many more regular season tests with a tough schedule. Bottineau enters as the only west representative, they won in impressive fashion against St. Mary on Saturday night.

1. Grafton (3-0)
2. Kindred (2-0)
3. Wahpeton (3-0)
4. Minot Ryan (2-0)
5. Bottineau (3-0)

Class A
Stanley/Powers Lake beat Velva but found nowhere to move up in the rankings, that’s because Hazen looked good beating Killdeer and Harvey/Wells County’s M.J. Stumpf ran and passed his team to victory over Hatton-Northwood 46-0. Maple Valley-Enderlin debuts in the power rankings by beating Kidder County 41-6 and leading the way in Region 1.

1. Harvey/Wells County (3-0)
2. Hazen (2-0)
3. Stanley-Powers Lake (3-0)
4. Heart River (3-0)
5. Maple Valley-Enderlin (3-0)

9-man
Napolean-Gackle-Streeter stays on top going to 4-0, they have outscored their opponents 146-44 halfway through their schedule. Wyndmere/Lidgerwood looked good again to stay on Napolean’s heels. LaMoure-Litchfield-Marion is back in the power rankings despite their one loss. They’ve put up 184 points in four weeks behind the Thielges’ power running.

1. Napolean/Gackle-Streeter (3-0)
2. Wyndmere/Lidgerwood (3-0)
3. Cavalier (4-0)
4. Central McLean (4-0)
5. LaMoure-Litchfield-Marion (3-1)

South Dakota
Class 11AA
Another pair of intra-city matchups helped clear up the 11AA picture. Sioux Falls Roosevelt looked solid in all aspects as they beat Lincoln last Friday. They seem to have the most consistency through three weeks. Yankton put up enough plays to show me that they are for real. They have a stout defense, a number of playmakers, a great quarterback and a big line. Watch out for the Bucks.

1. Sioux Falls Roosevelt (3-0)
2. Sioux Falls O’Gorman (2-1)
3. Sioux Falls Lincoln (2-1)
4. Mitchell (3-0)
5. Yankton (3-0)

Class 11A
The West Central Trojans couldn’t hold on to the ball and consequently hold on to the lead against Dell Rapids. The Quarriers went on to beat West Central and secure their top spot. Nick Mears of Milbank rushed for over 200 yards and passed for over 200 yards to lead Milbank to another win.

1. Dell Rapids (2-0)
2. Harrisburg (3-0)
3. Milbank (2-0)
4. West Central (2-1)
5. Dakota Valley (3-0)

Class 11B
The Winner Warriors still haven’t allowed a point this year, pitching their third consecutive shutout. Tri-Valley is ready for a big matchup against Flandreau as they try to knock off the defending champions. Groton looks strong and are primed for a big test this week against Milbank.

1. Winner (3-0)
2. Tri-Valley (3-0)
3. Flandreau (3-0)
4. St. Thomas More (2-1)
5. Groton Area (3-0)

Class 9AA
Despite winning in overtime Clark/Willow Lake moves down a rung on the ladder. Leola/Frederick is strong and looks as good as any contenders to challenge the BEE Seahawks. Two teams from last week’s power rankings lost and will need to fight their way back in. Look for a lot of movement in this class this year. Deubrook slips into the conversation going 2-0 in the DVC including a nice win against St. Mary. GPL has put up 40+ in each of their three games.

1. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (1-1)
2. Leola/Frederick (1-0)
3. Clark/Willow Lake (1-0)
4. Deubrook (2-0)
5. Great Plains Lutheran (3-0)

Class 9A
This week the Canistota Hawks got a week of rest as they prepare for their toughest test yet against Hanson. This one should be a close game. If Corsica/Stickney keeps playing as well as they have they could move up next week. Eureka/Bowdle won an overtime thriller to stay in the rankings and Wall makes an appearance with a 30-0 shutout and a clean 2-0 record.

1. Canistota (2-0)
2. Hanson (2-1)
3. Corsica/Stickney (1-0)
4. Eureka/Bowdle (1-0)
5. Wall (2-0)

Class 9B
Zemlicka fever continues to sweep the northeast part of the state. Tyson, Taylor and Brent Zemlicka each had a hand in three touchdowns last week as Waverly-South Shore continues to impress. Viborg-Hurley got a test from Parker and left no doubt that they’re hungry for another trip to the dome. Avon had no problem last week and stays atop a tough class of football. I wish I had another spot open for Harding County to enter the top five but they’ll have to wait another week for an opening.

1. Avon (3-0)
2. Waverly-South Shore (2-0)
3. Viborg-Hurley (3-0)
4. Castlewood (2-0)
5. Sully Buttes (2-0)