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The more things change the more they remain the same. That often cited cliche describes prep football this season. With rankings changing every week, different (and sometimes new) teams are receiving their moment in the spotlight.

Yet, even with some new faces in the crowd, traditional powers (Winner, Roosevelt, O'Gorman, Avon, West Central, Dell Rapids, and others) are still at the head of the prep football food chain. Again this week, we have some newbies (or teams that enjoyed success in the past but drifted awhile trying to make an impression against "the powers that be" as the playoffs start drawing near.  

In 11AA, the final two unbeaten teams will meet at Crane-Youngworth Field in Yankton. The #1 Sioux Falls Roosevelt Rough Riders, led by coach Kim Nelson, will travel to face Arlin Likness's Yankton Bucks.  In 11B, #2 Winner will welcome Mobridge-Pollock to town. In 9A, top-ranked Canistota will do battle with 9B #2 Viborg Hurley. Also in 9A, #2 Corsica/Stickney will host 9aa #5 Kimball White Lake. Across the border, West Lyon will travel to face #2 Emmetsburg in a 1A contest in Iowa.   

A week ago, I did pretty well on my picks, going 4-1. My only loss was in the Dell Rapids/Tri-Valley battle of #1s, won by the Mustangs. For the season, I have a 16-9 (.640) mark. This week, my picks include Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Winner, Canistota, Corsica/Stickney and Emmetsburg.

 I know – no upsets! Really brave, right?    

 Game Previews

11AA #1 Sioux Falls Roosevelt (5-0) at 11AA #5 Yankton (5-0) 

Overview: Sioux Falls Roosevelt, the top-ranked 11AA team, faces a big test in #5 Yankton at Crane-Youngworth Field on Friday. Roosevelt, which has had injury problems in his backfield, will try and slow down the potent Yankton attack, which has rolled through five opponents, including a 39-6 win over Brookings last Friday. Roosevelt has barely missed a beat this season in five straight wins. They have wins over teams ranked #2 (O'Gorman) and #1 (Lincoln) when they met at Howard Wood Field.

11AA #1 Sioux Falls Roosevelt (5-0) had four interceptions – three returned for TDs – as the 11AA top-ranked team rolled to a 38-7 win over Rapid City Stevens on Friday. Josh Angulo had two interception returns for TDs while Mike Anderson also had a pick six for the Rough Riders which led 26-0 at halftime. Scott Tyler was 11-for-22 with 166 yards and an interception. The Rough Riders opened the season with a 46-0 win over Aberdeen Central. In week two, Roosevelt recorded a 19-14 win over then #2 O'Gorman in the President's Bowl. A week later in a matchup with then #1 Lincoln, they jumped to a 21-0 lead and won 45-29. Two weeks ago, they handled Watertown, 35-17. For the season, the Rough Riders own a 183-67 scoring advantage over its opponents.  Tyler has completed 70-of-104 passes for 939 yards and eight TDs. Angulo has 20 receptions for 410 yards and five TDs. Injuries to running backs continue to hurt the Rough Riders. Justin Warne, who had 121 yards rushing and a TD in the win over Stevens, suffered a leg injury. He may be out for awhile and joins Mikal Smith, who was injured earlier. Roosevelt may get standout Andrew Smith back this week.

11A A #5 Yankton (5-0) has dominated five opponents this season, owning a 186-57 points advantage. They have defeated Pierre, 43-20; Huron, 26-0; Watertown, 48-18; Aberdeen Central, 30-13; and Brookings, 39-6 on homecoming. In its 39-6 win over Brookings, the Bucks rolled up 334 yards rushing on 39 carries and scored six TDs on the ground. Connor Fitzsimmons led the way with 15 carries for 182 yards and two TDs. Michael Rucker completed 7-12 passes for 78 yards and also added 15 yards rushing and a TD. Evan Schroeder rushed for 94 yards and had three rushing TDs. For the season, Yankton is averaging 253.6 yards on the ground and 157.8 yards through the air as well as 37.2 points per game. Rucker has completed 52-of-85 passes for 744 yards and has six TD passes. Fitzsimmons has 51 carries for 517 yards and seven TDs while also catching 12 passes for 187 yards and two TDs. Schroeder has 34 carries for 273 yards and five TDs rushing while grabbing 13 passes for 191 yards and a pair of TDs.

Inside slant: What team will control the running game and clock? Will Rucker and Tyler continue to exhibit outstanding play at the signal caller position? Will Roosevelt's defense continue to shut down opponents and come up with big plays?  How will Roosevelt deal with the loss of Mikal Smith and Justin Warne in the backfield? Does Andrew Smith return? Will the explosive Angulo for Roosevelt or Fitzsimmons prove to be the different or will it be someone else?

Coaches: Kim Nelson of Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 21-6 (at SFR). Arlin Likness of Yankton  Likness is 102-39, .723 at Yankton and 220-71, .756 overall. Likness won his 100^th game at Yankton two weeks in the win over Watertown and coached his 290^th game last week.

2011 Results/Records:  Since 2004, the two schools have met four times, three during the regular season. Roosevelt won the last encounter during the 2010 playoff quarterfinals, 38-7. In 2008, the Rough Riders captured a 31-0 decision and also defeated the Bucks, 21-14 in 2006. Yankton's last win over Roosevelt was a 10-7 win in 2007.

Bottomline: Roosevelt's defense has been one of the real stories in 11AA, allowing just 13.4 points per game. They have been fast and physical. Roosevelt's quarterback Scott Tyler has been efficient and deadly in operating their spread offense. He has effectively utilized the Pats' dangerous receiver Josh Angulo. Andrew Smith is expected to return and is an electric performer. Yankton has opened the season 5-0, featuring both run and pass. After its 6-5 campaign a year ago, Likness's troops look ready to take the next step. We find out how far they have come Friday in Yankton. The play of Michael Rucker behind center has been key to Yankton's success this season. He has been accurate and efficient as Yankton's offensive leader. The Bucks are talented with Fitzsimmons and Evan Schroeder providing explosiveness out of the backfield. Brady Knodel is a bull inside. This should be a game featuring speed and physical play on both sides of the ball by both teams.

Who Wins? Look for the high-flying Rough Riders to keep winning and move to 6-0 with a 33-21 win over the Bucks.

11B Mobridge-Pollock (3-2) at 11B #2 Winner (5-0)

Overview:  #2 Winner and Mobridge/Pollock have developed a rivalry since beginning play in 1964. Mobridge/Pollock swept Winner a year ago, including a win in the playoff semifinals. Winner is focused on returning to the DakotaDome for the 12^th time in search for their fifth title. Mobridge/Pollock looks to overcome a rough start and return to the championship game again after losing a heartbreaker to Flandreau in a year ago. For both, this mid season encounter will be important in moving forward to promising things.

Mobridge-Pollock (3-2) has rallied after starting 1-2 by recording two straight wins. After winning its opener, M/P lost to Aberdeen Roncalli on a gadget play late. The Tigers led the game until its star quarterback Bailey Friez suffered an injury and did not return until playing one snap in game five against Webster. His status for Winner remains up in the air. In his one snap against Webster, Friesz threw a 50-yard TD pass. Perhaps, he is back. Friesz, when healthy, is one of the most dynamic and explosive performers in prep football. M/P opened the season with a 26-12 win over Linton/Hazelton/Moffit/Braddock (ND), led by Friesz who rushed for 153 yards and scored on TD runs of 39, 59 and 6 yards. He also fired a 57-yard TD pass to his twin brother, Peyton. In game two, Friesz was hurt during a 30-23 loss (M/P led when he left the game). In that game, Friesz had a 94-yard TD run and had 125 yards rushing and 136 yards passing, including a TD throw to Peyton Friesz, when he was hurt. After the loss to Roncalli, the Tigers also fell to Redfield/Doland, 20-0, in game three. M/P has rebounded after those two losses and defeated Cheyenne Eagle Butte, 63-7 and Webster. In the win over Webster, M/P was led by Austin Borah, who had two rushing TDs (32, 26) and a career-best 152 yards rushing.  

#2 Winner (5-0) defeated Platte-Geddes/Dakota Christian, 35-0 in its most recent game. Kyle Bertram led the way for Winner with 95 yards rushing on four carries and a TD. Ben Connot added 35 yards rushing and two TDs while Austin Calhoon had 34 yards and a score. The Warriors opened the season with a 44-0 over Parkston. In week two, they knocked off #1 St. Thomas More, 12-0, and then rolled past Bon Homme, 12-0. Winner defeated Valentine (Neb.), 26-6, in week four. The Warriors have not allowed a point to a South Dakota team this season. The only team to score on Winner was Valentine, Neb. The Warriors' defense has four shutouts and a scoring advantage of 159-6. Winner is averaging 31.8 points per game, 264.8 rushing yards and 32.8 passing yards. Quarterback Nathan Naasz has rushed 21 times for 139 yards with four TDs. He has completed 7-20 passes for 124 yards and a TD. The team's leading rusher is Bertram with 434 yards on 35 carries with three TDs. He has two 100-yard rush games this year. Calhoon has 43 carries for 290 yards and two TDs. Connot has added 35 carries for 222 yards and six TDs, as well as three catches for 68 yards and a TD.

Inside slant: Can Mobridge/Pollock sustain any offense against perhaps the best defense in 11B? Will Winner's strong rushing game continue to show results? Will Winner continue to shutdown opponents after four shutouts this season?

Coaches: Mike Szcur of Mobridge. Dan Aaker of Winner.

2011 Results/Records:  From the Mobridge Tribune: "The Tigers and Warriors have been butting heads since 1964 when Mobridge won 25-0. Winner dominated the series since the mid 1980s, winning 13 of 14, until M/P won twice last year. Winner owns a 22-10 all-time series record against the Tigers." Over the past eight games, Winner owns a 6-2 series advantage and have outscored Mobridge/Pollock , 232-132. A year ago, Mobridge-Pollock advanced to the DakotaDome with a 31-14 win over Winner in the playoff semifinals. M/P also won the regular season battle, 26-10. However the previous six games were in Winner's favor. The Warriors won 44-29 in the regular season and 28-7 in the playoffs in 2009. Winner won 42-9 in 2008, 42-18 in 2007, 42-6 in 2006 and 46-6 in 2005.

Bottomline: If Mobridge has Friesz, they have a shot at making a dent in the stout Winner D. With its big offensive line – five players over 270 pounds – M/P will try to pound the rock with Borah and perhaps utilize Friesz's unique talents. Look for this game to go quickly as both teams look to their rushing games to lead the way. Winner is physical and fast. They feature a stout defense that will be a hard nut to crack.

Who Wins: Winner is our pick in a 22-12 decision.

9A #1 Canistota (4-0) at 9B #2 Viborg/Hurley (4-0)

Overview: This is a matchup of two the state's top 9-man teams. Canistota is averaging 45.0 points per game in four wins and Viborg/Hurley has put up 53.5 points per game in four victories. Canistota has won 16 straight games, the longest streak in South Dakota. Canistota, the defending 9B champions,  has not lost since they were the coop team Canistota/Bridgewater and dropped a 28-6 decision to Emery/Ethan (now Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan)  in November, 2009. Interesting the connections to BEE. Viborg/Hurley reached the 9AA title game a year ago, falling to Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan, 48-34.

#2 Viborg/Hurley (4-0) defeated Alcester/Hudson, 49-0 on Sept 16 and were off on Friday. They have outscored foes, 204-12. The Vikings opened the season with a 50-0 win over Gayville-Volin, defeated Baltic, 49-0, in week two and then rolled past Parker, 66-12, before defeating Alcester/Hudson. Viborg/Hurley has averaged 223.3 rushing yards per game and 85.3 passing yards. Through four games, they are averaging 53.5 points per game and have allowed only 3.0 points per game to its opponents. The Vikings are led by Trevor Jacobsen at quarterback, who has completed 10-16 passes for 244 yards and three TDs. He has also rushed 15 times for 82 yards and a TD. Tyler Gerdes has been the team's leading ground-gainer with 293 yards on 24 carries with seven TDs. Matt Jensen has 10 combined TDs (9 rush, 1 pass) and has 255 yards rushing on 18 carries and 103 yards receiving. Dennis DeNeui is the Vikings' top receiver with eight catches for 176 yards and three TDs.   

#1 Canistota has been dominant again this season and showed why are the best 9-man team in South Dakota. They defeated Mt. Vernon, 50-0, on Friday in a game stopped at halftime due to the mercy rule. This season Canistota is averaging 45.0 points per game with a rushing game producing 276.3 yards and a passing game adding 97.8 or 374.11 total yards per game. This team has defeated the #1 9AA team Bridgewater/Emery/Ethan, preseason ranked 9AA #2 Howard, 9A #2 Hanson and outscored its last two opponents, 98-0. Canistota has outscored opponents, 180-26, with three shutouts in earning the #1 ranking. During its 12-0 season of a year ago, they outscored opponents, 627-38, including 230-8 in the playoffs. In the past 16 games, they have recorded 10 shutouts and scored more than 50 points 10 times. In those 16 games, they own an 807 to 64 scoring advantage. In that span, 9AA #1 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan is the only team to stay within eight points of Canistota, which has recorded shutouts in eight of its last 11 games. Quarterback Cody Bunger leads the offense with 501 yards rushing on 34 carries with eight TDs. He has completed 25-of-42 passes for 391 yards and seven TDs. He has 15 combined TDs and no interceptions. Troy Hofer has 34 carries for 215 carries and five TDs while leading the team's shutdown defense with 45 tackles along with an interception and fumble recovery. Alex Robertson has 41 carries for 231 yards and three TDs and five receptions for 53 yards and two TDs. Trevor Schroeder has 15 catches for 279 yards and four TDs.  

Inside slant: Can Viborg/Hurley end Canistota's 16-game winning streak? Will the Vikings be able to slow down Bunger, who has had a spectacular opening act as the Hawks' quarterback? Will Viborg/Hurley find a way to get the ball to DeNeui and free Jensen for big plays? Which defense is better?

Coaches: Lenny Schroeder of Canistota, 98-66, .598; John Nyhaug of Viborg/Hurley, 186-113, .622. This will be Nyhaug 300^th game of his coaching career. He is four wins away from 190. Schroeder stands just two wins away from 100 career wins.

2011 Results/Records: In their current co-op arrangements, the two teams have not met.

Bottomline:  Both teams feature diversified offenses and shutdown defenses. Each team has recorded three shutouts in four games. Schroeder and Nyhaug are veteran coaches who have a long history of success. This game sets up to be be one of the better games in 9-man this season.

 Who Wins: The pick is Canistota to pick up a 38-24 win over the Vikings.

9AA #5 Kimball/White Lake at 9A #2 Corsica/Stickney (4-0)

Overview: The matchup pits the fifth-ranked team in 9AA, Kimball/White Lake, against the second-ranked squad in 9A in Corsica/Stickney, who has won four straight to open the season. Kimball/White Lake lost the season opener and have since reeled off four straight wins. This should be a offensive showdown.

#5 Kimball/White Lake (4-1) rushed for 322 yards as a team led by Trevor Reinesch's 169-yard effort and three TDs in a 54-12 win over Lyman last Friday. With that win, they own a 217-126 scoring edge over its opponents.  Earlier, the Kiotes recorded a 38-26 win over Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central as Jacob Kirsch had 136 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Kirsch rushed for 304 yards in a 57-38 win over Miller Friday night. He also caught three passes for 57 yards in one of the spectacular single game performances of the season.   

#2 Corsica/Stickney  opened the season by defeating 9B Menno , 42-12 as Mason Can Murren had a 79-yard kickoff return to open the game. Jaguars quarterback Adam Borman threw for two TDs. The Jaguars recorded the second most points in South Dakota this season in a 70-16 win over Tripp/Delmont/Armour in week two. In the win, Corsica/Stickney rolled up 392 yards of total offense, led by quarterback Bormann, who had four carries for 88 yards and two TDs. Wiley DeLange led the rushing attack with 82 yards and two TDs while Ryan Hongslo chipped in with 62 yards and two TDs. The team rushed for 327 yards and threw just one pass – a 65 yard completion. In week three, the Jaguars defeated Colome, 22-0, as DeLange had 13 carries for 104 yards rushing and a TD and Borman had 23 rushes for 136 yards and a TD. Corsica-Stickney had a pair of rushers eclipse the 100-yard barrier in a 43-14 rout of Andes Central on Friday night. Borman rushed for 164 yards and a TD while Gunner Baan Hoffman added 112 yards and three TDs.

Inside slant: Will both teams continue to unleash devastating offensive attacks? Can either defense stop the other team's offense? Which running game takes control? Will a turnover or a special team play prove to be the difference?

Coaches: Jason Broughton of Corsica/Stickney, 54-49, .524. Dale Taylor of Kimball/White Lake.

2011 Results/Records: In the past two seasons, Corsica/Stickney has played Kimball twice, recording 64-12 and 36-6 wins. They have not played Kimball/White Lake as a coop.

Bottomline: Corsica/Stickney has been gaining momentum week by week and moved up to #2 in the 9A rankings. They will feature the dynamic Borman at quarterback and a strong running attack including DeLange, Hongslo and Baan Hoffman. Kimball/White Lake lost the season opener but since has been on fire. Twice they have surpassed 50 points in the four wins, including 57 against a strong Miller team and 54 in a victory against Lyman. They feature Reinesch and Kirsch in a solid backfield group.

Who Wins: The pick here is for Corsica/Stickney to win, 34-24.

Iowa 1A West Lyon (4-1) at 1A #2 Emmetsburg (5-0)

Overview: This game features two hot teams. After an opening season loss in the final seconds, West Lyon has won four straight. Emmetsburg is ranked #2 in 1A with five straight wins and has two straight shutouts. 

West Lyon (4-1), who has received votes in the 1A Iowa prep poll, has rebounded from an opening week lost to rival Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, 16-14, to win four in a row. In that opener, they lost on the final play of the game. West Lyon owns a 141 to 64 points advantage through five games. They have wins over Western Christian, 28-10; Alta/Aurelia, 36-12; South O'Brien, 21-20; and Hartley/Melvin/Sanborn, 42-6. West Lyon, led by the legendary coach Jay Rozeboom, features a diversified attack, directed by sophomore quarterback Brendon Snyder and featuring wide receiver Adam Teunissen. West Lyon, which won the 1A title a year ago, suffered heavy graduation losses but have featured strong line play.

#2 Emmetsburg (5-0) has opened with five straight wins, putting together a 177 to 35 points advantage. They opened the season with a 41-15 win over Lincoln Central. In week two, they faced their most difficult challenge against Spencer, pulling out a 19-13 win. Since that game, they have rolled through three opponents. Emmetsburg defeated Sioux Central, 35-7, Pocahontas/Pomeroy-Palmer, 40-0, and South O'Brien, 42-0. Emmetsburg has had a strong rushing game, directed by quarterback Jake Jackson. They have accumulated over 300 yards rushing in four of five weeks and surpassed 400 yards once. The team's leading rusher is Brady Berkland with 446 yards on 57 carries and six TDs. Andrew Wellik has added 410 yards rushing on 72 carries with six TDs.

Inside slant: Can West Lyon slow down the punishing Emmetsburg rushing attack? Can the Emmetsburg defense continue to shut down opponents? Will the Snyder to Teunissen passing combo strike gold against the second-ranked 1A team?

Coaches: Mike Dunlap of Emmetsburg. Jay Rozenboom of West Lyon, 189-34, .847. Rosenboom goes after win 190. 

2011 Results/Records: Since 2004, West Lyon and Emmetsburg has met four times, with each team winning twice. A year ago, Emmetsburg recorded a 17-10 win in the regular season but fell to West Lyon in the second round of the playoffs, 21-14. West Lyon went onto to win its third 1A title in school history. In 2008, West Lyon lost to Emmetsburg, 3-0, in the championship game at the UNI Dome. West Lyon also defeated Emmetsburg, 14-7 in the 2004 playoffs.   

Bottomline: Emmetsburg appears to be on a roll with a punishing, deep and multi-faceted rushing attack. They have averaged over 38 points a game in the past three weeks. During that run, they have given up just one TD. Both teams have a common opponent in South O'Brien. Emmetsburg blew out South O'Brien while West Lyon won a thriller by one point. West Lyon will have to try and break off some big plays and slow down the Emmetsburg rushing attack. Emmetsburg looks like the stronger team and are at home.

Who Wins: The pick here is for Emmetsburg to move to 6-0 with a 27-13 win.