South Dakota Semifinals

Class 9AA

#5 Wolsey-Wessington (9-1) at #1 Webster (10-0)

Saturday, November 7 at 5:00 pm  -  Waubay, SD

Common Opponent “Bon Homme”

W-W won 42-24; Webster won Monday 35-28

What You need to know

Wolsey-Wessington

The Warbirds run the ball until they break you. They’ve only completed 20 passes all season, they win games by running it at you. Last week it took until the second half to break the Herreid/Selby Wolverines but when they did Hunter Johnson (223 att, 2358 yds, 28 TDs) ended up with 268 yards and 5 touchdowns. That’s the fourth time this year Johnson rushed for at least 4 TDs in a game. Johnson also leads the team with 93 tackles on defense. But they’re not a one-man show. Dylan Hines has 12 sacks this season and 21 tackles for loss. Darian Ogunjemilusi supplies over 100 yards per game in total yards. And quarterback Jerret Weber has run the ball at over 10 yards per clip with 8 TDs.

Webster

The quietest undefeated team in the state went about their business in a 35-28 win over Bon Homme in the quarterfinals. Junior quarterback Kelby Hawkins (56/120, 1,018 yds, 13 TD) gives them a passing dimension. But fellow junior Hunter Gaikowski (162 att. 1,095 yds 14 TD) has shouldered the load on offense.

Our focus this week is going to be on execution, striving for perfection every play, and winning the turnover ratio. We feel that if we can limit our turnovers, and create turnovers defensively, that will help us tremendously. Also, Wolsey-Wessington’s line is much bigger than we are, so controlling the line of scrimmage is going to be tough, but is also going to be a key for us this week.

-Tanner Christensen,  Webster Head Coach

Riley Reetz is another weapon all over the field. He’s run for 7 TDs and made 5 INTs on defense and has scored on 3 returns this season. Webster hasn’t been in a one-score game since they played Waverly-South Shore back on September 11.  

#6 Stanley Coutny (9-1) at #2 Woonsocket/Wess Springs/Sanborn Central (10-0)

Saturday, November 7 – 3:30 pm   – Wessington Springs, SD

What you need to know:

Stanley County

The Buffaloes have found success with a lot of help from a strong senior class. Seniors Colten Drageset (109 att 1301 yds 18 TDs) Michael Scott (125 att 1271 yds 15 TDs) and Trey Montana (80 att 755 yds 9 TDs) have been near impossible to contain in the running game. Drageset (40/73, 622 yds, 11 TD) has also been able to move the ball through the air as evidenced in the quarterfinal game when he hooked up with Cutter Gillaspie for two passing touchdowns.

Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central

The Blackhawks have flat out been the most complete team in the class this season. In their five games against teams with .500 or above records they’ve averaged 38 points per game. Landon Ochsner has been the main target on offense but Tucker Kingsbury keeps this team balanced at quarterback. Their big offensive line of Chase Von Eye, Garrett Larson and Jacob Fouberg are big and athletic and they have another big blocker in Brady Tiede at tight end. Not many teams can match them up front.