KSFY News - Sioux Falls, SD News, Weather, SportsFocus on Five #3

As the prep football season enters week three, gridiron action has given us upsets, big plays on offense and special teams, and a lot of stout defense. If you have closed your eyes for even a moment during some of the games, you probably missed something.

Week three features several high quality games again. This week, 11A #1 Lincoln faces #2 Roosevelt in a Friday night matchup at Howard Wood Field. Then on Saturday, the Dakota Bowl will match rivals #3 Washington and #4 O'Gorman (also at the Wood) with the loser stuck with two losses already this season. Plus, we are treated to a prime time 11A matchup between #1 Dell Rapids and #3 West Central, a game that will be fast, and physical.

In the first two weeks, I have mustered a winning mark in my picks. I stand 6-4 after going 2-3 last week. My apologies to Harrisburg, which again showed its dominance over Luverne. The pick of Hansen over Avon was a flip of the coin which the Pirates won. I also missed on O'Gorman when Kim Nelson's Rough Riders pulled off a 19-14 upset. I was able to nail the Canistota-Bridgewater/Emery/Ethan score almost exactly. I had the spread of eight points right but missed just barely on the score. The final was 34-26 when I called it 33-25. Then there was my pick of Lincoln over Washington by one point. Call it lucky (or good) but I got it right.

It is as Neville Southall once stated, "if you don't believe you can win, there is no point in getting out of bed at the end of the day."

Here is a breakdown of this week's matchups –

Previews --

11AA #1 Sioux Falls Lincoln (2-0) vs. 11AA #2 Sioux Falls Roosevelt (2-0), Howard Wood Field, Friday

Overview: Both Lincoln and Roosevelt opened with impressive wins which has set the stage for Class 11AA's first #1 vs. #2 showdown. Lincoln and Roosevelt feature outstanding offenses, both geared more to the aerial side of things. While Lincoln is averaging 50 points a game in two wins, Roosevelt has shown balance with 32.5 points ppg., and allowing just 7.0 to opponents. 

#1 Lincoln recorded a 64-0 win over Rapid City Stevens in the opener and then upset then #1 Washington, 37-36, in a classic decided on the last play when Alex Schultz hit Josh Kunzman on a fourth down play as the final seconds ticked off the clock. Then with time expired, kicker Adam Belhaj booted the extra point for the dramatic win by Lincoln, which stopped Washington's 27-game winning streak. This season the Patriots are averaging 376.5 yards passing per game and 139.0 yards rushing for 515 yards of total offense per game. Schultz has completed 39 of 62 passes for 654 yards with nine TDs. Sophomore running back Caden Quintanilla leads the rushing game with 18 carries for 148 yards and a TD. Kunzman, who had the second-best receiving game all-time with 260 yards vs. Washington, now has 16 catches for 373 yards and 6 TDs this season. Trey Naasz had 10 catches against Washington.

Roosevelt has moved up to #2 in the KSFY/KWSN and South Dakota Sportswriters rankings with its 2-0 start. They have defeated Aberdeen Central, 46-0, and O'Gorman, 19-14. Roosevelt is led by quarterback Scott Tyler, who has completed 27 of 38 passes for 319 yards and four TDs. Mikal Smith leads the Rough Riders' rushing attack with 24 carries for 183 yards and a TD. Josh Angulo is the leading receiver with 11 catches for 295 yards and three TDs. Andrew Smith also has 8 catches for 57 yards and a TD. With all this talk about offense, the Roosevelt defense may have been the biggest factor in the win over O'Gorman. They virtually stopped the O'G offense in the first three quarters, allowing only a long TD pass. They have proven capable of stopping one of the state's top rushing attacks, now they face perhaps the state's top passing attack.

Inside slant: Does Roosevelt's spread offense create problems for a Lincoln defense that allowed 36 points against Washington? Will Schultz and Kunzman again provide magical moments for the Patriots? Is Roosevelt's defense fast enough to cause the Lincoln scheme problems? Does a special teams play or late turnover decide the outcome?

Coaches: Kim Nelson, 18-6, .750 at SF Roosevelt. Aaron Beavers, 88-46, .657, (@SFL) 46-41, .541

2011 Results/Records: Both teams come into the game 2-0. Sioux Falls Roosevelt has won three of the past five matchups between the schools. Roosevelt defeated Lincoln, 35-21, in 2010, and had a 45-14 win over the Patriots in 2009. During Lincoln's championship season of 2008, they defeated the Rough Riders, 21-6, in the regular season and 21-7 in the playoffs. Roosevelt defeated Lincoln, 41-0, in 2007.

Bottomline: In week 2 wins, both teams showed ability to move the ball on very good defense. SF Lincoln unleashed its offensive repertoire against then #1 Washington, emerging with a one-point decision and rolling up over 420 yards passing. Schultz is simply the best quarterback in 11AA and he showed it against the Warriors. Meanwhile, Roosevelt runs a dangerous spread that is also explosive. Scott Tyler, who missed most of last season due to injury, is back running the Rough Rider attack. With the emergence of Mikal Smith and the fascinating talents of Andrew Smith and Josh Angulo, Roosevelt is very dangerous on offense What came out of their win over O'Gorman was how fast and rangy the Roosevelt defense proved to be. While they wore down at the end, they were the story of the win over then #2 O'Gorman.

Who Wins? Sioux Falls Lincoln is the choice here. We expect another offensive showdown with Schultz again leading the Patriots to glory. Look for a 27-23 win as Lincoln moves to 3-0. Don't be surprised if this game goes to the wire.    

 11AA #4 Sioux Falls O'Gorman (1-1) vs. 11AA #3 Sioux Falls Washington (1-1), Dakota Bowl, Howard Wood Stadium, Saturday

Overview: Both O'Gorman and Washington are 1-1 after losing heart-breaking games in the President's Bowl. The two teams were the top two teams in nearly every preseason rankings in 11AA but now one of the teams will be 1-2 after three weeks while the other will have new momentum moving forward.

#4 O'Gorman exhibited a powerful running game in a week 1 blowout and then struggled until the second half in its 19-14 loss to Roosevelt. This season O'Gorman has 113 carries for 652 yards rushing or 326 yards per game. Quarterback Connor Schaefbauer has completed 12-of-20 passes for 206 yards and two TDs.  The rushing game is led by Sam Steffl who has 48 rushes for 308 yards and four TDs. He has 297 carries for 1,726 yards and 22 TDs in his career. Flynn Donelan has 30 carries for 205 yards and TD. He has 94 carries for 649 yards and 10 TDs during his career.

#3 Washington fell from its #1 ranking after a heart-breaking 37-36 setback to new #1 Sioux Falls Lincoln when the Patriots scored on the last play and kicked the winning extra point in overtime. It ended the Warriors 27-game winning streak. Late in the game, SF Washington faced a third and two but missed on a pass play. Then they hurried to the line and in an attempt to draw the Patriots offside and did so, only to see that Lincoln coach Aaron Beavers had called a timeout a split second before the offsides was whistled. They punted and the Patriots drove for the winning score. The biggest problem for Washington proved to be big plays, in which the Warriors young secondary showed vulnerability. The Warriors defense against the rush was solid and will need to be against an O'Gorman team that pounds the ball - relentlessly. Offensively, Washington look solid, led by junior quarterback Jon Hander, explosive running back Devonte Clay and wide out Nate Gerry. Hander is 19-of-31 for 272 passing yards and three TDs this season. Gerry had 103 yards receiving and  scored 2 TDs against Lincoln.  He also has a 54-yard punt return TD for a score (against RC Central). Clay has totaled 184 rushing yards and two TDs this season, and also has an electrifying 87-yard kickoff return against Lincoln.

Inside slant: Will the O'Gorman defense be able to stop Washington's powerful running back Clay? Can Washington find an answer to O'Gorman dynamic backfield of Flynn Donelan and Sam Steffl? How does the pass game play in this Dakota Bowl matchup? Who is more efficient Hander or Schaefbauer in directing their respective offenses? Does the game again go to the wire?

Coaches: Brian Hermanson, 62-14, .816; Steve Keuter, 256-73-1, .778.

2011 Results/Records: Both teams are 1-1.  Washington has won three straight and 4-of-5 against the Knights. However, Washington's 21-14 win in 2008 had snapped a six-game losing skein to O'Gorman. In the past 12 games dating to 2003, O'Gorman has won 7-of-12 and owns an overall 289 to 196 scoring margin during that period.

Bottomline: The game will be a hard-fought and is likely to test the coaching moxie of both Keuter and Hermanson, who have nine AA titles between them. While Washington lost to Lincoln, we believe they still may be the best team in AA. If they correct a little bit of the leakage in the secondary, they will turn things around. However, O'Gorman's rushing attack is strong. If Schaefbauer can throw a little, the Knights may be the one cheering at the end.

Who Wins? This is a tough call. The pick here is that Washington rebounds with a 21-17 decision. Yes, we expect it to be decided in the final minutes (or seconds) of the 4^th quarter.

11A #3 West Central (2-0) @ 11A #1 Dell Rapids (1-0) at Dell Rapids, Friday 

Overview: The matchup between #3 West Central and #1 Dell Rapids will be an early season test between two of the powers of the class. West Central has won a record 11 playoff titles in 12 appearances (also the most in 11A ever). However, biting at the Trojans is the fact they have been out of the championship show since winning a title in 2007. Dell Rapids has captured two of the past three 11A titles. In the last five years the Quarriers are 45-12 with three titles and five playoff appearances.

#3 West Central (2-0) has recorded a 41-0 shutout of rival Vermillion and handled Madison, 40-7. In two weeks, the Trojans have utilized different players on offense. However, the one constant has been quarterback Connor Miles, who has thrown for 260 yards and four TDs. Last week, Devon Blaine had 147 yards rushing and four combined TDs. In week one, Dalton Kuehl had 16 carries for 105 yards and a pair of TDs. Josh Amble also scored two TDs in the week one romp. The Trojans have an 81-7 scoring advantage in two wins.

#1 Dell Rapids (1-0), which now has a 13-game winning streak, opened the season with a 40-6 win over Canton (0-2). Cole Langer had 77 rushing yards, including TD runs of 29 and 10 yards to key the win. Zach Barber had a 58-yard TD run and totaled 71 yards on just four carries. In game one, the Quarriers rushed for 362 years and threw for 77. Quarterback Channing Barber completed 4-of-5 passes for 77 yards with a TD. He also rushed three times for 32 yards. Riley Rinehart had four rushes for 61 yards and a TD while Hunter White had three rushes for 63 yards and a 60-yard TD jaunt. The receiving corps is headed by Weston Hansen who had two receptions for 26 yards and a score.

Inside slant: In a game featuring teams with great speed and quickness on both sides of the ball, who is a little faster or quicker? Can West Central effectively run against Dell Rapids, which lost four all-state linemen from a year ago? Will Dell Rapids' backfield, one of the best regardless of classes, be too much for the Trojans? Which team will make more big plays?

Coaches: Kent Mueller of West Central, 70-7, .909. Steven Hansen of Dell Rapids, 104.60, .634.

2011 Results/Records:  In the last eight times they have met, West Central owns a 5-3 edge. However, Dell Rapids has won two straight and three of the last five encounters, including twice in the playoffs. A year ago, Dell Rapids won the regular season encounter, 37-22, and defeated the Trojans, 32-26, in the 11A semifinals.

Bottomline: This early feature game in 11A will be played fast and physical. Both teams are outstanding squads who will make noise all season long. It will be interesting to see if Dell Rapids can replace four all-state performers, including three on the line. They feature in Cole Langer one of the best players in South Dakota. He had 1,234 yards rushing and  24 rushing TDs a year ago and now has two more TDs this season. Channing Barber is an outstanding and fast quarterback while his twin brother is a dynamic and electrifying presence. Add Tanner Munk, an all-state defensive back, and one can see why this team is top-ranked. But, hold your horses. West Central has opened the season with two blowouts, including arch-rival Vermillion. The Trojans feature an outstanding quarterback in Connor Miles and a stable of running backs including Dalton Keuhl, Devon Blaine and Andrew Ideker. They have 13 players back on defense that started at least one game a year ago. Both teams will try to establish a running game. The team that has the upper hand on the ground will likely prevail. Regardless, these two teams may see each other again this year. Who is faster to the draw?  

Who Wins:  This is a tough call but Dell Rapids may just have too much talent in their backfield. The pick here is the Quarriers, 28-24, in a game that will be decided late in the fourth quarter.

9AA #3 Gettysburg/Hoven (1-0) vs. 9A #4 Eureka/Bowdle (1-0) at Eureka

Overview:  While Gettysburg/Hoven is in 9AA and Eureka/Bowdle in 9A, both teams are ranked and have a tradition of excellence. Look for this game to feature big plays and be decided in the fourth quarter. It is likely that the over/under could be 50 points, who knows. It is a showdown in North Central South Dakota that will draw a lot of attention statewide. 

9A #4 Eureka/Bowdle (1-0), which had 241 yards rushing, moved from #5 to #4 in the KSFY/KWSN rankings after a 50-12 blowout of McLaughlin (0-2). Adam Weizhaar of E/B had 104 yards, 3 rushing TDs and a 44-yard int. TD return. Zach Gellar also had an 81-yard kickoff return for a score.

9AA #3 Gettysburg/Hoven (1-0) fell to #3 in the rankings despite a 24-12 win over 9B Faulkton. G/H led 24-6 entering the fourth quarter. G/H was led by quarterback Tate Nafziger, who had 154 yards passing and 2 TDs. He also rushed for 43 yard and a pair of TDs. G/H, which is 41-15 over the past five years, has a long and storied history in 9-man football. Vern Smith's troops will again try to set the stage with a strong ground game and will mix in passing. They have the dangerous Nafziger at QB. Gettysburg/Hoven has made seven appearances in 9-man title games (all losses).

Inside slant: Can the Battler's throw successfully against Eureka/Bowdle? Who controls the rushing game? Does Weizhaar or Nazfiger prove to be the difference?

Coaches: Vern Smith of Gettysburg/Hoven. Kerwin Hoellein of Eureka/Bowdle.

2011 Results/Records: Both teams are 1-0 after season opening victories. In the past five years, Eureka/Bowdle has held the upper hand on Gettysburg/Hoven (Gettysburg joined with Hoven in a coop this year).  They defeated G/H, 26-22, a year ago, outscoring the Battlers, 12-6 in the fourth quarter. In 2009, they won 6-0 and were victorious 18-12 in 2008. G/H had a 26-14 win in 2007 but lost to E/B, 10-8 in 2006. E/B holds a combined 74-68 points edge over G/H during those five matchups.

Bottomline: Gettysburg, which suffered heavy losses to graduation, will lean on Nafziger to deliver the ball. Eureka/Bowdle will rely on its standout Adam Weizhaar and strong special teams. It is likely that this game again goes to the wire.

Who Wins: As a former Battler, this is a tough call. However, I learned my lesson picking against teams that seem to have another team's number (Harrisburg against Luverne). So, do I pick with my heart or my mind (stop laughing). I go against my heart and project Eureka/Bowdle to emerge with a 31-26 win over Gettysburg.

9B #2 Viborg/Hurley (2-0) vs. 9AA Parker (2-0) at Hurley, Friday

Overview: This matchup of 9B #2 Viborg/Hurley and 9AA Parker is not a traditional matchup of rivals. It has been awhile since the two teams have played. Viborg/Hurley,  last year's runner-up, will try and rectify matters in 2011. Before opening with an impressive 2-0 mark this season, the Pheasants had won just 6 of 26 games since capturing a 9AA title in 2006. While Parker is unranked, a win against Viborg/Hurley will open some eyes and give the Parker momentum moving forward.

9B #2 Viborg/Hurley has recorded two straight shutouts to open the season. They defeated Gayville/Volin, 50-0 in week one before registering a 49-0 win over Baltic last week. This season, V/H has averaged 213.5 yards rushing per game and added 78 yards passing along while putting up 49.5 points per game. They have featured two quarterbacks, including Seth Anderson who is 3-of-5 for 97 yards and a TD and Trevor Jacobsen, who is 3-5 for 59 yards and a TD. As a team this season, they have 68 carries for 427 yards and 11 TDs. Individually, they are led by Tyler Gerdes with 10 carries for 129 yards and three TDs. Matt Jensen has four carries for 56 yards and four TDs with 34 yards receiving. J. Huether has 12 carries for 49 yards and three TDs. All-state receiver Dennis DeNeui, who has 18 career receiving TDs, has caught three passes for 68 yards and a pair of TDs.

Parker has defeated Centerville, 36-16, and Baltic, 36-24. The Pheasants are led by quarterback Cedric Hay and running back Blake Reynolds, who has 321 yards rushing and five TDs in two weeks. A week ago, Reynolds had 171 yards rushing and 3 TDs (1, 15, 86).  This season Hay has three TDs, including one by pass, one by run and a 45-yard punt return for a score.  Seth Dykstra had 65 yards rushing in the win over Centerville.

Inside slant: Can Parker find an answer to Viborg/Hurley's explosive offense, which features a powerful running game? What impact does all-state wideout Dennis DeNeui play for the Cougars? Can Blake Reynolds run for big yardage against V/H? Will Parker QB Cedric Hay continue to shine?

Coaches: John Nyhaug of Viborg/Hurley, 184-113, .619. Bill Leberman of Parker, 25-31, .446.

2011 Results/Records: Both teams have opened the season 2-0. 

Bottomline: A year ago in 9AA, Viborg/Hurley reached the title game, falling to Bridgewater/Emery/Ethan, currently the 9AA #1 team. Now in 9B, they will go after a title that they last won in 2000. Viborg/Hurley has been explosive on offense, particularly its running game that features a deep stable of backs. V/H's defense has been lights out. Parker has been a surprise. A year ago, they were just 2-6 and now already own two wins. The Pheasants have what appears to be a strong backfield in Hay and Reynolds, who had an 86-yard TD run last week. If Parker can make some big plays against Viborg/Hurley, they could keep the game close.

Who Wins: Viborg/Hurley looks like they will be one of the best this season in 9B. They haven't allowed a point this season. Expect both teams to score some points in this matchup which goes to the Cougars, 35-18.