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Four defending champs at No. 1 in South Dakota high school football preseason poll rankings

roger merriam and scott waltman, watertown public opinion
·3 min read

Familiar schools sit atop most classes in the preseason South Dakota Prep Media Football Poll.

In Class 11AAA, Brandon Valley is ranked first, while Pierre tops the Class 11AA poll, with Watertown and Aberdeen Central receiving votes. The Lynx were runners-up to Harrisburg last season in 11AAA, while Pierre won the 11AA title.

Madison sits atop the Class 11A poll, with Milbank receiving votes. In Class 11B, Winner collected all 18 first-place votes. Aberdeen Roncalli is receiving votes in 11B. Madison and Winner both won state championships a year ago.

In Class 9AA, Howard is ranked No. 1, with Hamlin fifth. Ipswich and Florence/Henry are receiving votes. Howard claimed the 9A crown last season. Platte-Geddes was the 9AA champ in 2021.

Canistota is the top-ranked team in Class 9A, followed by Wolsey-Wessington at No. 4 and Warner at No. 5. Castlewood is receiving votes.

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And in Class 9B, Dell Rapids St. Mary sits atop the poll with Herreid/Selby-Area at No. 2. Both teams received seven first-place votes. De Smet got one first-place vote at No. 4, and Hitchcock-Tulare is ranked fifth. Faulkton Area, Potter County and Sully Buttes are receiving votes. St. Mary is the defending champion.

The complete poll follows, ranking the top-five teams and total points received. First-place votes are in parentheses.

Class 11AAA

Harrisburg and Brandon Valley face off in the class 11AAA football championship on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.
Harrisburg and Brandon Valley face off in the class 11AAA football championship on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.

1. Brandon Valley (5) 69

2. Harrisburg (7) 60

3. Jefferson (3) 45

4. O’Gorman 32

5. Lincoln (2) 26

Receiving votes: Washington (1) 23, Roosevelt 15.

Class 11AA

Pierre Governors QB Lincoln Kienholz (3) rushes up the middle during the 11AA State Championship game Friday night in the Dakota Dome. Kienholz won the Joe Robbie MVP trophy and the Pierre Governors won 30-27.
Pierre Governors QB Lincoln Kienholz (3) rushes up the middle during the 11AA State Championship game Friday night in the Dakota Dome. Kienholz won the Joe Robbie MVP trophy and the Pierre Governors won 30-27.

1. Pierre (18) 90

2. Tea Area 62

3. Yankton 52

4. Brookings 45

5. Mitchell 7

Receiving votes: Watertown 6, Aberdeen Central 5, Sturgis 2, Spearfish 1.

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Class 11A

Madison Bulldogs RB Trey Smith (5) drives his way into the endzone against the Milbank Bulldogs Friday at the Dakota Dome. Madison won 31-0.
Madison Bulldogs RB Trey Smith (5) drives his way into the endzone against the Milbank Bulldogs Friday at the Dakota Dome. Madison won 31-0.

1. Madison (11) 62

2. West Central (1) 54

3. Canton (4) 52

4. Dell Rapids (2) 50

5. Dakota Valley 13

Receiving votes: Milbank 11, Beresford 10, Lennox 10, Sioux Falls Christian 5, Vermillion 3.

Class 11B

1. Winner (18) 90

2. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 66

3. Elk Point-Jefferson 40

4. Sioux Valley 20

5. St. Thomas More 16

Receiving votes: Aberdeen Roncalli 12, Tri-Valley 12, Mount Vernon/Plankinton 9, McCook Central/Montrose 3, Hot Springs 2.

Class 9AA

1. Howard (11) 80

T-2. Wall (2) 51

T-2. Platte-Geddes (4) 51

4. Hanson (1) 40

5. Hamlin 17

Receiving votes: Parkston 15, Bon Homme 10, Ipswich 4, Florence-Henry 1.

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Class 9A

1. Canistota (14) 83

2. Gregory (1) 40

3. Harding County/Bison (1) 37

4. Wolsey-Wessington (1) 34

5. Warner (1) 32

Receiving votes: Castlewood 26, Chester Area 15, Timber Lake 1, Lyman 1, Colman-Egan 1.

Class 9B

Dell Rapids St mary's players celebrate their 9A State Championship Thursday at the Dakota Dome. Dell Rapids won 44-42 over Potter County.
Dell Rapids St mary's players celebrate their 9A State Championship Thursday at the Dakota Dome. Dell Rapids won 44-42 over Potter County.

1. Dell Rapids St. Mary (7) 71

2. Herreid/Selby Area (7) 67

3. Avon (3) 50

4. De Smet (1) 35

5. Hitchcock-Tulare 19

Receiving votes: Faulkton Area 14, Lemmon/McIntosh 6, Potter County 5, Sully Buttes 2, Kadoka Area 1.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Here are the South Dakota high school football preseason rankings