News

We hit the halfway point for a lot of teams this week. Six of my ten number one teams started the year out in the same spot. All ten of my number one teams at least started in the power rankings. But there have been a handful of teams that have vaulted up the rankings this year. The most conspicuous has been Sioux Falls Roosevelt who rose from pre-season number four to perch atop the 11AA rankings in South Dakota.
North Dakota
Class AAA
Bismarck got it done with a gutty performance holding off the Century Patriots last Friday night to retain their number one spot. I had a tough time deciding whether to keep Century at number two, but a convincing Mandan win over Minot led me to vaulting the Braves into the number two spot.

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

Class AA
The Spoilers have posted back to back big wins against Region 1 powers. Last Friday they got by Lisbon 54-12. Kindred lost their hold on the number two spot by getting edged in overtime by Shanley. Wahpeton beat down Central Cass 42-6 and must get ready for Shanley next week.

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

Class A
Harvey/Wells County had their toughest test to date with a 20-6 win over Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn. Hazen proved they belong near the top by slowing down the Heart River offensive train with a 27-13 win on Friday. Maple Valley-Enderlin put up a 50 burger on Mayville-Portland-CG to stay in the hunt.

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

9-man
The Imperials got a test against South Border last Friday but they won 36-30. I kept them atop 9-man but Wyndmere/Lidgerwood is right on their heels. The Warbirds put up 52 points as they blew by Richmond. Cavalier, Central McLean and LaMoure-Litchfield-Marion all rolled in big wins on Friday.

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

South Dakota
Class 11AA
The Sioux Falls schools all handled their opponents with relative ease. Mitchell had trouble hanging on to the ball and subsequently squandered an opportunity to continue their undefeated season as they lost 14-8 against Brandon Valley. Yankton continues to impress with a 30-13 win over Aberdeen Central. Sioux Falls Washington gets back on the winning track in impressive fashion with a 57-7 win over Sturgis.

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

Class 11A
I got a good gage on the difference between Class 11A and 11AA with a glimpse at the Harrisburg vs. Huron game. The Huron defense held strong in the red zone and the Harrisburg Tigers committed too many mistakes to win. Dell Rapids wasn’t at 100% without Cole Langer in the lineup and they “edged” past Madison 28-7. West Central played a tough opponent against Sisseton and were rewarded with a win. They have Harrisburg visit for Homecoming this week and we’ll be there recording the game to be replayed on Midco Sports Network.

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

Class 11B
Tri-Valley made a good case to become my number one team. They controlled the defending champs and beat Flandreau 29-13 to move to 4-0. But Winner beat a good Nebraska team (Valentine) to advance to 4-0. The Winner Warriors have given up 1.5 points per contest this year. I’m not going to punish Flandreau for their loss but I am going to move St. Thomas More down, the Cavs looked vulnerable as they had to hold on to beat Hot Springs. Groton got the most impressive win of their season beating Milbank with two of their players rushing for over 100 yards. The Groton Tigers move up in the rankings and put the rest of the NEC on notice.

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

Class 9AA
Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan punished Mt. Vernon 52-14 to stay put at number one. The rest of the field has some work to do to catch them. Leola/Frederick, Clark/Willow Lake, Deubrook and Great Plains Lutheran all won to stay at their respective spots.

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

Class 9A
Canistota showed why they are considered the best team in all of 9-man football with a dominating 48-0 performance over the previous number two team in the class. Corsica/Stickney seems to be the top contender for the Hawks now. Colman-Egan gets into the rankings with a big 54-6 win over Dell Rapids St. Mary.

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

Class 9B
Avon shut out previously undefeated Andes Central 38-0. Waverly South Shore continues to impress with a 44-6 win against Wilmot. Viborg-Hurley put a stellar performance up while Castlewood and Sully Buttes both beat good teams last week.

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