SD State Championship Keys: 9-man

Jake Evans

November 10, 2020 @ 08:37 PM

I will be giving a preview of each 9-man matchup set to take place at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion, South Dakota. Now with the strange season we had nationally, I would like to extend a congratulations to all the teams across the state strapping it up and playing a season that was full of unknowns and adversity for each team in some way. While only one team can be crowned champion, each team should feel good about completing this COVID Season no matter what your record says! With that being said it’s time to get to the previews: Class 9B- Wolsey-Wessington vs. Dell Rapids St. Mary’s Both teams in this game have both put up some gaudy scores this season, but have also been hindered at least once too. Watching a little film, I saw some similarities in offense which is why I’m make the same keys for both teams. Keys: 1. Limit big plays when on defense, it’s nearly impossible to not have any big plays, but the team that gives up fewer will win. 2. Contain the big players, make someone else beat you. For Wolsey-Wessington they’d have to keep [player_tooltip player_id="56330" first="Connor" last="Libis"] in check, for Dell Rapids St. Mary’s it would be Tristan Abbott. 3. The more physical team will win this game, with teams that have similar styles, the one that usually emerges victorious is the one that brings the wood to the other team. Class 9A- Canistota-Freeman vs. Warner Keys for Canistota-Freeman: <ol> <li>Be patient on defense, Warner looks like a team to grind out drives, don’t send too many guys and give up big plays.</li> <li>Keep Ortman with the hot hand, let him run around and make plays like always.</li> <li>Keep a backup plan in case Ortman gets contained by a disciplined defense.</li> </ol> Keys for Warner: <ol> <li>Spy Ortman, he likes to take off and use his legs if nothing is open right away, keep someone with an eye on him so he can’t kill you with his legs.</li> <li>Stay disciplined on defense, play action is CF’s best friend, always watch receivers and contain the QB.</li> <li>Control the clock, the more your offense is on the field, the less chance CF has to score.</li> </ol> Class 9AA- Platte-Geddes vs. Hamlin Keys for Platte-Geddes: <ol> <li>Control pace of the game, if you can get a couple scores quickly, you’ll will be in good shape.</li> <li>Stay outside the Tackles, get the ball to the perimeter, use speed to win.</li> <li>String out drives on defense, keep gains short and force punts or turnover on downs.</li> </ol> Keys for Hamlin: <ol> <li>Keep plays between the Tackles, brute force could spring some big plays.</li> <li>Slow the game down, eat up clock and hang on to the ball, do not get into a track meet.</li> <li>Get pressure on the QB, do not give the receivers time to get down field, make him make quick decisions.</li> </ol>  