South Dakota 9A Preview

SOUTH DAKOTA-- We dived into 9B; now it’s time for 9A. Please take a look at the games, our predictions, and who some players we are going to watching in-depth! #4 North Border at #1 Warner North Border has the talented [player_tooltip player_id="56374" first="Isaac" last="Sumption"], who might be the best prospect in 9-man from a 4 seed we’ve talked about thus far. The Warner Monarchs (7-0) have pitched four shutouts already this season. The fast-paced motor of LB Jackson McNeil of Warner will have an impact on tomorrow’s game as the kid is a straight ballhawk. #3 Britton-Hecla at #2 Ipswich/Edmunds Central This matchup will be closer than some of that might think. Britton-Hecla (4-4) is coming off a big loss against Warner, a team Ipswich/Edmunds Central lost by one point to earlier in the year, but when you roll back the film, Britton-Hecla has some studs. Led by senior [player_tooltip player_id="56304" first="Wyatt" last="Bray"] at defensive end, the Braves have some underclassmen I will be watching in [player_tooltip player_id="56476" first="Aidan" last="Fredrickson"], [player_tooltip player_id="56564" first="Tucker" last="Mertens"], BoDell Davidson, and others. As for the Ipswich/Edmunds-Central (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id="56443" first="Kaden" last="Hix"] is a player to watch at running back and linebacker. #4 De Smet at #1 Howard This one is probably the best 9A game in South Dakota between the highest and lowest seed. Although De Smet (6-2) took a 39-0 defeat just 3 weeks ago to Howard, I think the Bulldogs will make this one a little closer than last time. De Smet WR Tory Holland is my player to watch from for the Bulldogs. Howard (7-0) has two running backs that carry the load for the Tigers in senior Lane Miller and junior John Callies, who both carry behind a nice sized offensive line in senior William Rentz and [player_tooltip player_id="56465" first="Jace" last="Sifore"], who is a Class of 2022 ranked OL prospect that is bound for a move up in our next rankings update. #3 Chester Area at #2 Canistota-Freeman Chester Area (6-2) will hope for a better outcome after getting shutout by Pride 46-0 in Week 1. Sage Ottoson will need to play a significant factor in this one; Ryan Benson is there to do it all type of player that will need to chip in in multiple ways tonight in Freeman. Canistota- Freeman (7-1) The Pride are led by a senior leader Tyce Ortman who you've heard of on our Dakota's Game Balls, but there is another promising player on the Pride folks should be watching tonight on both sides of the ball. That player is Logan Katzer, a 6'1 205 pound TE/LB combo. Katzer impressed on film at linebacker but is also a capable tight end that will open up the big holes for Ortman and others, but has quality hands. Chester Area better make sure they know where #2 is on the field offensively and defensively this week. #4 Burke at #1 Lyman Burke (5-3) A player you will need to watch WB Taron Sarr as he is a player that is effective at getting yards after contact. Lyman (6-2) edged out Burke in Week1 but has really struggled against the upper half of their schedule, losing to Kadoka Area (7-1) and Philip (6-2) by a combined 38 points. I would love to fly in the bleachers at Lyman High School for this #4 vs. #1 matchup. #3 Castlewood at #2 Gregory These rosters are mostly lead by underclassmen, which should show off the future for these programs very nicely. Castlewood (4-4) has a nice linebacker in Booker Schooley from the Class of 2023, which plays a lot bigger than his 5'9 frame on tape, so he's a player to watch on defense the Warriors. Gregory (5-3) The Gorillas feature a couple of underclassmen I liked on tape in ATH Eli Fogel (2023) and Rylan Peck (2024) who is a TE/LB combo that is only a freshman but already is an asset for the Gorillas and has some length to his game. #4 Northwestern at #1 Wall Wall will be one of the toughest opponents Northwestern will face this year. Northwestern (2-5) Although the tape is limited on the Wildcats, quarterback Fehi Faonelua (2023) has a nice touch on his deep ball from what I have seen on tape. Otherwise, tape on the Wildcats is minimal. Wall (7-0) The Eagles brotherly combo of Bridger Amiotte and little brother Cedar Amiotte (2023) has been an excellent tandem for Wall and their undefeated season thus far. These two kids aren't only dominant in the backfield but are big hitters on defense. The Eagles have had to have one of the best defenses in South Dakota, only allowing just over 4 points per game to their opponents. That defense led by the Amiotte's, DB Tack Tines (2021), DE Tegun Spring (2021), DE Brycen Cheney (2021), and others are going to be a team we will be locked in on watching during these 9A playoffs. #3 Timber Lake at #2 Philip Timber Lake (3-3) The Panthers might have had one the strongest strengths of schedules to close out in South Dakota 9-man this year. After starting 3-0 with a quality win over Faith (6-2) and two other programs, the Panthers are now on a three-game losing streak by losing to Herreid-Selby Area (7-1, lost by 2), Lemmon-McIntosh (8-0, shutout), and Kadoka Area (7-1), lost by 2 again) Talk about a roller coaster of a season! Philip (6-2) The Scotties have been the only team to really compete with #1 ranked Wall losing 16-6 back in late September. Here's where there might be an upset: Timber Lake and Philip played Kadoka Area back to back weeks, and Timber Lake played competitively against the Kougars, Philip not so much. Another question about this game is Timber Lake has not played in a game since October 2nd, whereas Philip played last week; how will it play out?