South Dakota Class 9AA

Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan at Gregory

Saturday November 9, 2013 7:00 pm

Last Meeting: 10/23/12 Gregory beat BEE 36-34

Fun Fact: Both teams played in the FCA Bowl in Sioux Falls in week 2. Gregory lost to Avon while Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan beat Canistota giving the Hawks their first loss in over two years.

What to watch for: Kurt Braun has been the spark plug that has sparked the Gorillas 8 game winning streak.  Wade Miller has run for 1,409 yards and 25 touchdowns. He’s been the catalyst in the Seahawks offense. That’s exactly what this team needed after losing Jace Connor for the season due to a serious off-season accident. Jordan Grosdidier has been a great compliment in the backfield with 855 yards and 14 TDs.

Deubrook at Arlington

Saturday November 9, 2013 6:00 pm

Last Meeting: 8/30/13 Arlington beat Deubrook 34-20

Fun Fact: The Deubrook Dolphins have had two consecutive seasons with a 2,000 yard rusher (Ryan Knutson in ’12 and Riley Hanson ’13)

What to watch for: The Dolphins are the defending 9AA champions and with the exception of a week one hiccup where they lost to the Arlington Cardinals, haven’t lost since 2011. When Head Coach Adolph Shepardson told me that Riley Hanson was as good or better than Knutson’s outstanding season last year, I have to admit I was skeptical. But 2,269 yards and 33 touchdowns later Hanson has proven he’s the real deal. Dustin Trooien has kept the team balanced with 719 yards in the air and 11TDs vs. only one interception. Arlington has their own weapon on the ground. Luke Weber ran for over 200 yards again in their quarterfinal matchup on Monday night. Paired with quarterback Andrew King the Cardinals have some serious firepower. Can’t forget to mention Kyle Steggeman on the line for Arlington, he’s 6-7, 300 and moves very well on the line on offense and defense.

South Dakota Class 9A

Wolsey-Wessington at Leola/Frederick

Saturday November 9, 2013 6:00 pm

Fun Fact: There has been just one game within 20 points this season for these two teams combined.

What to watch for: Lorenzo Williams and Ryne Johnson have combined for 3,589 yards on the ground for Coach Gordon Hooks’ Warbirds. This team averages 410 yards per game on the ground. Leola/Frederick has given up more than seven points just once this year and given up a total of 25 points in their last seven games. Quarterback Dan Campbell has given the Pirates a balanced attack while George Lapka, Carson Hertel and Derrick Podoll have been big contributors.

Potter County at Howard

Saturday November 9, 2013 5:00 pm

Fun Fact: This is the first time a Howard team has had an undefeated regular season.

What to watch for: Howard’s big little guy, Luke Loudenberg (5-5, 145), has 2,070 yards and 37 TDs on the year.  Potter County’s Chayce Hall continues to impress for the Battlers. Hall has run for 722 yards on the year and also thrown for 856 and 14 TDs. Potter County’s only loss on the year was a 12-7 loss to Leola/Frederick.

South Dakota Class 9B

Harding County at Hamlin

Saturday November 9, 2013 3:00 pm

Fun Fact: Hamlin has made an amazing 76 tackles for loss in their ten games this year.

What to watch for: Hamlin has averaged 283 yards per game on the ground with a 7.4 yards per carry average. Hamlin gave up more than 20 points for the first time on Monday when they beat Hitchcock-Tulare 30-22. Brody Grantham and Dustin Quiram have both averaged over 100 yards per game rushing. Quiram has found paydirt 21 times while the quarterback Grantham has 13 rushing scores and eight passing. Harding County had a tall task this year replacing their fiery quarterback Jess Feist. Harley Mollman has done well in that task. Last season he led the team in receiving touchdowns this year he leads them in throwing touchdowns. Mollman has thrown for 1,015 yards and 13 TDs with a .538 completion rate. Reece Jensen runs the ball with authority too. Jensen has 994 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Harding County will have a tough time repeating as champs, if they are to do it they’ll have to knock off unbeaten teams in the semis and in the finals.

Wall at Avon

Saturday November 9, 2013 3:00 pm

Fun Fact: This is a matchup of the top two offenses in Class 9B (Avon 46.1 points per game, Wall 46.3 points per game)

What to watch for: Wall has the most balanced attack in the class, they’ve averaged 188.7 yards per game passing and 259.7 yards per game rushing. Lane Blasius has been the most accurate passer in the class as well. Blasius (65.4 completion percentage) has only thrown two picks to go with his 23 throwing scores.  They just got done with their closest game of the year on Monday beating Faulkton 28-12. Avon has gotten their power running game back on track after an abnormal 6-4 season last year. Juiniors Logan Mudder and Devin Tolsma have been the most improved pair of backs in the class while Brandon Kocmich is a threat from anywhere on the field, ready for a big-play strike.