South Dakota Class 11AAA

Sioux Falls O’Gorman at Sioux Falls Lincoln – Friday November 7 at 4:30 PM

Last Meeting: Sep 6, Lincoln won 34-29

Lincoln has had a tremendous season averaging 45.3 points per game. Isaiah Roach (118/173, 217 ypg, 18 TD, 6 INT) has had a solid year spreading the ball around to Nickel Meyers, Paul Thanel and Austin Druse. The biggest difference for this Lincoln offense is the absence of their star tackle Drew Peters who suffered a season ending injury. The Pats line is still very good, just not as good as they were at the beginning of the year. Braxton Large ran for 947 regular season yards with 19 touchdowns giving Lincoln a formidable presence on the ground. Defensively Dylan Arntz is constantly blowing up plays, he has 13 sacks on the season while Braxton Large has a couple picks and 8 tackles for loss.

O’Gorman is just a handful of points from being undefeated. They lost to the defending champs in September by 5, then lost in overtime to Yankton and lost by the margin of a touchdown to the Roosevelt Rough Riders late in the game. Quarterback Luke Fritsch has had an outstanding season managing the Wing-T for the Knights. The Junior has been able to hand the ball to reliable runners, Boston Bauer (Jr), Dodi Makwinja (Jr) and AJ Martinec (Sr). In the passing game Jack Peery is a big target who could give the Pats trouble. Fritsch threw for 163 yards and 3 touchdowns the last time these teams met while Lincoln quarterback Isaiah Roach threw for 98 yards and a TD.

PREDICTION: The Pats haven’t lost yet but haven’t played to the best of their ability against a quality opponent since early in the season. However I think they’re due for a clean game without turnovers and that should be enough to keep O’Gorman from generating enough offense to win. Lincoln wins 28-21.

Brandon Valley at Sioux Falls Roosevelt – Friday November 7 at 7:30 PM

Last Meeting: Aug 29, Roosevelt won 42-34

The last time the Riders faced the Lynx it was a stormy night in August… a lot has changed since then. Taryn Christion is no longer the starting quarterback for the Riders, Roosevelt has several starters back on defense Jett Thune (44/84, 728 yds, 11 TD, 3 INT) is now the starting QB. Jake Bear is the leading rusher for the Riders but it is Chase Vinatieri (35 rec, 598 yds, 6 TD) that has been their biggest play maker.

The Lynx have had a great season, especially since their 1-2 start. Head Coach Chad Garrow talks about who needs to step up on Friday,

“We have stressed all year that individuals don't win games and I truly believe in that. I believe it will be important for our o-line to play well, protecting Jake (Comeaux) and helping Riley (Frantzen) gain yards. It will be important for our defense to get off the field in 3rd down situations. And it will be important that our skill players don't turn the ball over.”  

Key players for the Lynx include Jake Comeaux (165/247, 1913 yds, 23 TD) at QB, Riley Frantzen (958 yds, 10TD) at RB and Alex Wilde (53 rec, 900 yds 10 TD) and Drew Reinschmidt (60 rec, 563 yds, 8 TD) at receiver. The Brandon Valley defense has stepped up in the last few weeks. They gave up just 8 points to Harrisburg then gave up just a defensive touchdown to Washington last week.

PREDICTION: A lot of people are getting on the Brandon Valley bandwagon, but I think Roosevelt has enough firepower to keep up with the Lynx and in the end will sneak out a close win in the fourth quarter. Roosevelt wins 31-28