KSFY News - Sioux Falls, SD News, Weather, SportsGridiron Blitz -- #2

The opening weekend of South Dakota prep football was indeed a blitz with five of the six defending champions recording victories and in a big way. Only 11A Dell Rapids didn't record a victory (or a loss) and that was due to the fact that they open at Canton (0-1) this coming Friday. The defending champs (Canistota, 9B; Hanson, 9A; Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan, 9AA; Flandreau, 11B; and Sioux Falls Washington, 11AA) combined to win by a margin of 231-34.

 This week's blog will highlight those performances and other teams and individuals who shined in week 1.

Highlights Around South Dakota

11AA

KSFY-KWSN Rankings: 1. Sioux Falls Washington (1-0) 2. Sioux Falls O'Gorman (1-0) 3. Sioux Falls Lincoln (1-0) 4. Sioux Falls Roosevelt (1-0) 5. Mitchell (1-0)

The only change in the KSFY-KWSN 11AA rankings was SF Roosevelt moving into fourth ahead of Mitchell at #5. In 11AA, the four Sioux Falls schools stood up to preseason hype with big wins. They outscored opponents by a combined 194-20 margin and recorded two shutouts.  

Despite some troubles early, #1 SF Washington extended their winning streak to 27 games with a 42-6 win over Rapid City Stevens. After some early travail, the Warriors were dominating. In the 1^1st half, they had a 53 yard punt return by Nate Gerry, a 33 yard TD pass by Jon Hander to Keyen Lage, a one-yard TD run by Devon O'Farrell, 19-yard TD run by Hander and a interception TD return by Austin Benson. The Warriors defense, which returned just three starters, answered some questions by holding Rapid City Central to 25 yards in the first half (71 overall) as SFW built a 35-0 lead.

#2 O'Gorman opened the season with a dominating 42-14 win over Brandon Valley. The Knights pummeled BV on the ground, rolling up 497 rushing yards on 69 carries. Sam Steffl, finished with 185 yards and three TDs while Flynn Donelan had 173 yards and a TD as the Knights opened up a 42-0 lead. Donelan also had a 77-yard punt return but was caught short of the goal line.

Perhaps the most impressive opening-night performance was by Sioux Falls Lincoln, who pummeled Rapid City Stevens, 64-0. 

Quarterback Alex Schultz, woh completed 13-15 passes for 261 yards, had five first-half TDs to tie the record of SF Washington's Jonathan Lakotas' in 2005. Sophomore running back Caden Quintanilla had 127 yards rushing and two TDs, including a 44-yard run. He also had an electric 85-yard kickoff return. The Patriots had two receivers, Josh Kunzman and Trey Naasz, break 100 yards receiving. Kunzman had 113 yards with two TDs, including a 75-yard scoring reception; while Naasz had 105 yards and a pair of TDs.

Sioux Falls Roosevelt cruised to a 46-0 win over Aberdeen Central by accumulating 343 yards in total offense. The Scott Tyler-Andrew Smith duo is back in full force. Tyler was injured early last season and Smith took over quarterbacking duties. Against Aberdeen Central, Andrew Smith had 95 yards rushing and 37 yards receiving, including a TD reception from Scott Tyler, who completed 13-15 passes for 3 TD passes, including one for 78 yards. This duo will be worth the price of admission in 2011.

Mitchell, the preseason choice to win the ESD, shutout Watertown, 26-0, as Jason Greenway had 130 yards rushing and two TDs, including a 40-yard punt return for a score. Perhaps the courage award should go to Justin Greenway, who reportedly tore an ACL in preseason fall practice. He had 88 yards rushing in their opening win.

One of best performances of the opening weekend was by Yankton's Connor Fitzsimmons, who rushed for 180 yards and scored a combined five TDs to lead the Bucks past Pierre, 43-20. Fitzsimmons had a 71-yard TD gallop in the first half. Pierre's Austin Wagner had 111 yards rushing on 11 carries with two TDs, including a 65-yard run. Huron nearly upset Brookings, falling 20-17.

11A

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

The KSFY-KWSN poll remained unchanged this week. While Dell Rapids remain the favorite in the class, Harrisburg opened some eyes on Friday. They defeated Madison, 49-0, limiting the Bulldogs to seven total yards. In fact, Madison didn't get a first down until the 4^4th quarter. Brandon Miller rushed for 134 yards on eight carries and had three TDs to lead the offense which had 256 rushing yards and 378 total yards.

 #3 West Central opened the season with an impressive 41-0 win over Vermillion at the DakotaDome. Kent Mueller picked up his 69^th win in 77 coaching decisions as the Trojans garnered 307 rushing yards, including 105 by Dalton Kuehl, who also scored two TDs.  

#5 Dakota Valley received 147 yards rushing from Tanner Lambert as the Panthers rolled past 11B Elk Point-Jefferson, 41-6. In the win, Lambert had runs of 56 and 44 yards for scores.

Tea Area defeated 11B Bon Homme, 37-9, as Taylor Roeman had 185 passing yards, including 4 TDs (22, 18, 73, 21). In a difficult class, Tea Area opened some eyes with an impressive win over traditionally-strong Bon Homme. 

Teil Glaus had 29 carries for 137 yards and two TDs to lead Chamberlain to a 16-14 season-opening win over Hot Springs

11B

KSFY-KWSN Rankings – 1. St. Thomas More (1-0) 2. Tri-Valley (1-0) 3. Winner (1-0) 4. Mobridge-Pollock (1-0) 5. McCook Central/Montrose (1-0)

In 11B, the rankings had one subtle change as Tri-Valley moved into second, just ahead of Winner, which was second in the preseason poll. St. Thomas More retained its top spot after a 25-20 win over Spearfish. The Cavaliers rolled up 367 yards as standout quarterback Jake Sullivan, son of head coach Wayne Sullivan, threw for 195 yards and three TDs. Sullivan also had an interception that sealed the win vs. Spearfish. Now they face Winner on Friday as #1 and #3 go head to head.

Tri-Valley moved up a spot to #2 in the rankings after an dominating and impressive 43-7 conquest of Canton.  Brett Page of Tri-Valley completed five of seven passes for 109 yards with TD passes of 16, 18 and 26 yards.

#3 Winner rolled to a 44-0 win over Parkston as Ben Connot had two rushing TDs and Trace Meyer had 68 yards rushing.

#4 Mobridge-Pollock, led by Bailey Friesz, opened with a 26-12 win over Linton-HMB, N.D. Friesz, one of the state's elite players, rushed for three TDs and threw another to lead the win. He had 153 yards rushing on 18 carries with scoring runs of 39, 59, and 6 yards. He also threw a 57-yard TD pass to his twin brother, Peyton.

#5 McCook Central/Montrose had two players break 100 yards rushing as they recorded a  30-7 win over Platte-Geddes/Dakota Christian. Andy Kappenman had 109 yards and two TDs (8, 26) and Dominic Blindert of rushed for 104 yards and 2TDs (1.8).

In a weekend full of outstanding individual performances, arguably the best came from Tyson DeGroot, who had 240 yards and two TDs plus 12 tackles to lead Sioux Valley to a 28-13 win over Beresford.  Matt Hoines of Beresford rushed for 104 yards and scored two TDs.

Garretson had two players rush for more than 100 yards as they made a push toward the top five with its 44-0 win over Sioux Falls Christian. Isaac Lukes had 128 yards rushing and Brady Bonte was a bull with 113 yards and four TDs.

Defending champion Flandreau (1-0) made an opening statement that despite the rankings, they are a force to be reckoned with this season. The Fliers defeated Deuel 39-6 behind the play of Joe Parsley who had three rushing TDs (51, 59, 7) and threw a 15-yard TD pass. He had 117 rushing yards on three carries. David Parsley rushed for 154 yards on 16 carries and a 38-yard TD.  

9AA

KSFY-KWSN Rankings – 1. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (1-0) 2. Gettysburg/Hoven (0-0) 3. Clark/Willow Lake (0-0) 4. Howard (0-1)  5. Elkton/Lake Benton (0-0)

While two of the top five teams in the KSFY-KSWN 9AA poll lost to 9A teams, the top-ranked Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan Seahawks rolled to a 54-8 decision over Freeman. The Seahawks, which face 9A #1 Canistota this Friday in Sioux Falls, were led by the phenomenal special team's performance of Seth Wethor, who scored on a 47-yard punt return and 75-yard kickoff return.

Gettysburg/Hoven (open Friday at home against 9B Faulkton) and Clark/Willow Lake (open at home vs. 9B Grant-Deuel on Friday) moved up to #2 and #3 respectively without playing.

Howard, last week's #2, is #4 after falling to 9A #1 Canistota. The Tigers are off until Sept. 9 when they play Chester Area in Howard's home opener.

Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central, #3 last week, fell out of the rankings after losing 48-14 to 9A #2 Hansen. W/WS/SC led 6-0 before things fell apart.

In a standout individual performance in 9AA, Blake Reynolds led Parker to a 36-24 win over Baltic with 150 yards rushing and 2 TDs while also totaling 52 yards receiving.

9A

KSFY-KWSN Rankings – 1. Canistota (1-0) 2. Hanson (1-0) 3. Corsica/Stickney (0-0) 4. Hamlin (0-0) 5. Eureka/Bowdle (0-0)

If week 1 is any indication, the top two teams in the class #1 Canistota and #2 Hanson seem headed for a title showdown later this fall at the DakotaDome. Hanson is looking to win its fourth straight title and third in 9A. However Canistota, the defending 9B champion, will have something to say about it. Last Friday, Canistota won its 13^th straight game with a 48-0 defeat of 9AA #2 Howard. Quarterback Cody Bunger had 3 combined TDs (15 yard rush, 10, 48 passes).  Trevor Schroeder had 63 yards receiving and caught a pair of TD throws.

Hanson trailed early (6-0) to Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central, before scoring three TDs in a span of 30 seconds at the end of the first quarter and early in the second quarter to change momentum as they won for the 10^th straight time, dating back to a 20-8 loss at Canistota last Sept. 17. Reid Smith had 198 yards rushing and two TDs to lead Hanson.

#3 Corsica-Stickney (open Sept. 2 at Menno), #4 Hamlin (open Sept. 2 at 9 #4 Waverly/South Shore), and #5 Eureka/Bowdle had open dates.

Also in 9A, Garrett Bruns had 140 yards rushing and two TDs to lead South Central to a 38-14, over 9AA Gregory.

9B

KSFY-KWSN Rankings – 1. Avon (1-0) 2. Viborg/Hurley (1-0) 3. Castlewood (0-0) 4. Waverly/South Shore (0-0) 5. Hitchcock/Tulare (1-0)

#1 Avon, led by Duffy Ducheneaux's 94 yards rushing and TD, lived up to its top billing with a 36-0 win over Tripp-Delmont/Armour. They face a critical test on Friday 9A #2 Hanson in Sioux Falls. 

#2 Viborg/Hurley, which gave veteran coach John Nyhaug his 183rd career win, rolled to a 50-0 win as all-state receiver Dennis DeNeui had 68 yards receiving and two TDs (44, 13). Matt Jensen added 80 yards rushing and scored 2 TDs (7, 25).

#3 Castlewood (open at home on Sept. 2 vs. Lake Preston) and #4 Waverly/South Shore (open at home Sept. 2 against 9A #4 Hamlin) play this coming Friday.

 #5 Hitchcock/Tulare defeated Northwestern, 40-0, behind the passing of Jared Barrie, who had 154 yards with 2 TDs and also had a 30-yard TD run.

Also in 9B, Ty Knutson of Centerville had 76 yards and three TDs to lead them to a 32-6 win over Marion. Weston Hoglund had 75 yards rushing and four TDs to lead Langford to a 52-0 season-opening win over Sunshine Bible.

 Just Across the Border

In one of the area's top rivalry matchups, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (2-0) rallied to defeated 1A #5 West Lyon, 16-14 as quarterback Ross Ackerman's 14-yard pass to Eric Schilling provided the winning margin. Schilling had caught a 43-yard pass moments earlier to set up the Lions in the red zone. West Lyon moved ahead 14-10 with 1:14 to play on a 26-yard pass from Brandon Snyder to Adam Teunissen. CL-G-LR had 216 yards rushing and 75 yards passing. Ryan McCarty rushed 23 times for 90 yards (season totals, 39-210-TD). Top college prospect Matt Nagel had five solo tackles and three assists.

By Dan Genzler, KSFY Blogger