Five Players to break out in SD 9B
While quite the niche category, South Dakota 9B football has a devoted and invested fanbase that should get just as much light as 11AAA. Lets take a look at some players destined for a great year this upcoming season. Delbert…
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Continue ReadingWhile quite the niche category, South Dakota 9B football has a devoted and invested fanbase that should get just as much light as 11AAA. Lets take a look at some players destined for a great year this upcoming season.
Delbert Peters Sophomore, Crow Creek HS, OL/DL
Standing at 6′ and 255lbs, Peters, as just a sophomore is already primed to be one of the best OL/DL players in class 9B football. With 9-man football, the offensive line is one of the most factors in that style. Peters can shift around anywhere on the line making his versatility another key strength to his game. On the other side of the ball, he is an overpowering defensive lineman due to his size and the ability to come off the edge. While Peters does not have innate speed, he is his sheer dominance of play to overpower the offensive line to get into the backfield. Make sure you watch this Crow Creek stud while he breaks out on both sides of the ball.
Kelby Hett Kelby Hett QB Harding County-Bison | 2023 State Senior, Harding County HS, QB
Hett has the traits of a gunslinger, a mobile quarterback with a great arm. Hett had 554 yards in just five games last year, with seven touchdowns and only two interceptions. Using his size and frame, Hett can escape the pocket to roll out and make those hard throws in tight pockets that not many can do. While he mainly sticks to the middle to short throws on curl or slant routes, he has shown at times to pump one down the field for big yard gains when he is needed to. Not only is he efficient with his passes, but he has amazing accuracy with them, completing around 57% of his passes. If there is a time for Hett to have his best season, it is now with more experience than ever and the underlying numbers say he is one the most efficient quarterbacks in 9B.
Nic Gaspar Junior, Dell Rapids St. Mary’s HS, RB/OLB
Gaspar had his breakout game in the 9B state championship game last year, with 103 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. This year he is expected to slot into the starting halfback role for DRSM, elevating his production to another level. With a 6’2″ and 185lbs frame, Gaspar is the best example of the modern agile power rusher. He has a good ability to break through contact and find holes while wearing down the defense. Along with an excellent rushing attack, Gaspar does have the ability to catch some passes, having a dual-threat capability. That dual-threat capability allows the offense to open to another level and opens up the lane for Gaspar to have the best season of his career. With all of his intangibles, along with his build, Gaspar is exactly who you want to hand the ball or throw to on a 3rd and short. Along with a great offensive game, he does take snaps at outside linebacker where he uses his frame mentioned above to come off the edge. With a combination of astute handwork and physical size, Gaspar is a fierce OLB on a great DRSM team, primed to have a great year.
Ryder Falkenhagen Junior, Potter County HS, RB/WR/DB
Speedy offensive utility weapons are some of the most versatile and useful players in football and Falkanhagen fits that build perfectly. Falkenhagen can be a fast slot receiver to break out into the open field to get those catches down. While his size is not his biggest advantage, his great footwork combined with a high motor translates into a gadget player who is productive in any situation you use him in. He also garners an advantage when used in jet sweeps or as a runner in the backfield, making him a true swiss army knife player on offense. Due to his strengths, it’s hard to not see more production from him next year being a focal point in his offense. While mainly being used on offense, his speed allows him to be a great zone coverage defensive back. His quickness to balls thrown to make an undersized ballhawk.
Randall Powers Sophomore, Avon HS, C/T
Powers rounds out the list as a true blocking beast. Standing 5’11” and 249lbs, Powers gives you not only the great interior but also exterior blocking on the line as well. Powers having strong suits on inside and outside blocking means that he can switch from run blocking to pass blocking specialization on what the play demands. It would not surprise me this season if Powers did not give up a single sack, which is more impressive considering how he moves around the offensive line. While playing center, Powers allows his team to open up the run game and establish dominance on the ground. Yet, if they wanted to shift to an outside tackle, he could effectively neutralize the other team’s best defensive lineman and edge rushers. If you want to star a lineman to watch next year, this is the guy you want to star for his size and ability to shut down defenses with his blocking.