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This is the smallest 11-man class in South Dakota but they may have the brightest stars of anyone in the state. Let’s break down the big-time talent in 11B.

 1. Nash Hutmacher, Jr. OL/DL Chamberlain

Nash has attracted attention from FBS schools across the nation for his explosive power and speed combination. If this was a list of wrestlers in the state, Nash would also be number one. The heavyweight nicknamed, ‘The Polar Bear’, toys with opposing linemen at 6’5”, 300 pounds. He also has a hear 30” vertical jump to go with that frame. Nash also has big-time wrestling schools after him, so he’s worth watching while we have him in South Dakota for two more seasons.

 2. Blake Peterson, Sr. DL/OL Beresford

Blake Peterson is a mild-mannered senior off the field but once he steps across the white lines he’s a beast. Peterson received offers from Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa State, South Dakota State and South Dakota and decided in March to make Ames Iowa his future college home. Peterson is a 6’4”, 240 pound defensive lineman who is the top rated senior football player in the state by 247 sports. You won’t find a harder working lineman or a better teammate than Blake.

 3. Parker Nelson, Sr. RB SF Christian

Parker Nelson is fast and he showed it last year on the football field. Nelson ran for 2,147 yards and 20 touchdowns while leading the Sioux Falls Christian offense to a state title. His speed and elusiveness makes him the top offensive threat in the class once again this season.

 4. Mitchell Goodbary, Sr. LB SF Christian

Goodbary may get overlooked as a standout player because he doesn’t have huge stats. But those who know the game, know that Mitchell makes as big of an impact as anyone for the state champs. When you look at his 6’5” frame you realize he’s a beast on the football field. Goodbary has received multiple scholarship offers to play college football and looks to be the top linebacker in the class this year.

 5. Carter Dye, Sr. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan

At 6’3” 215 pounds Carter moves a lot of mass at a very fast pace. Dye lines up at d-line and dominates for the Seahawks. No one is better at bagging sacks than Carter, he collected 13 sacks as a junior last season.

 6. Jesse Hastings, Jr. Mt. Vernon/Plankinton

Hastings may be the most physically gifted player that Mt. Vernon has had in decades. He was one of only four players at the Riggs Combine to run a sub-4.7 40-time, and he also was one of the top finishers in the225-pound bench press. As if that wasn’t enough to impress, he did that as a sophomore amongst mostly juniors. Jesse Hastings had a tremendous sophomore season last year rushing for over 1,000 yards including a huge 230-yard game against Beresford.

 7. Brady Hawkins, Sr. QB Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan

Brady Hawkins is one of the premier athletes in the class returning at quarterback. Hawkins had one of the best passing efficiency numbers in the state going 27-53 for 641 yards last season. He also ran for 337 yards and should be even better as a senior this year.

 8. Kayden Verley, Jr. Canton

Just a junior, Kayden has already been a long-time veteran for Canton football. He is one of the top kickers in the state and has been since he was a freshman. Verley also lines up at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and corner back. Verley is an elite athlete that could start to carry Canton back to the top of the class this fall.

 9. Jamin Arend, Sr. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan

Jamin Arend saw his workload increase last year after Cole Gassman was injured and he made the most of it. He ran for 1,272 yards (7.5 ypc) and 20 touchdowns. He also led the team in receptions and scoring. At 6’0”, 175 he’s athletic and big enough to truck defenders.

 10. Brady Morgan, Sr. QB Roncalli

Brady Morgan returns at QB after earning honorable mention all-state honors as a junior. In 2017 he threw for 1,400 yards and rushed for over 300 yards. This year Morgan is even more comfortable in Billy Young’s offense and could stretch those numbers even further.

 11. Brayden Havrevold, Sioux Valley

Brayden may be the most valuable player for the Cossacks this season. At 6’2”, 240 the senior defensive tackle is explosive to say the least on the line. He was an all-state honorable mention last year and could take over as one of the premier run stoppers in the class this season.