The South Dakota 9-Man Preview & Our Scouts Pick Em'

VERMILLION, SD-- All the football fun starts tomorrow at the Dakota Dome, as the 9-man South Dakota State Football Championships get started at 10 AM tomorrow. We will see 9B at 10 AM, 9A at 2 PM, and 9AA at 7 PM. Tonight, we launch our preview of the six teams you will be watching tomorrow in Vermillion, from 9B to 9AA as we evaluate the teams with quick notes about their seasons, players to watch and where we found some wild stats on all of the teams competing. Some teams are firing on all cylinders at the best time of the season, and some have been the leaders of the pack all year long, looking to finish their season on top. We break it all down below!   9B:   Faulkton Area Trojans (10-1) vs. Avon Pirates (9-2)   Nate's Pick: Faulkton Area Trojans   Jake's Pick: Fauklton Area Trojans   Faulkton Area: Quick Notes   <ul> <li>-The Trojans persistent defense has given up zero points thus far in these 9B playoffs.</li> </ul>   -Their offense has been no slouch either in these 9B playoffs averaging nearly 47 points per game.   <ul> <li>-The biggest question mark for the Trojans thus far in these playoffs is their win quality, as the lowest seed they have faced thus far is a 10 seed</li> </ul>   Key Trojans to Watch on Thursday Morning:   Layne Cotton, QB/S (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/Layne24Cotton">Twitter</a> & <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/the-uncommitted-report-layne-cotton-qb-s-faulkton-area-2024/">Report</a>   <ul> <li>-1603 all-purpose yards, 28 total touchdowns this season. </li> </ul>   Quick Eval: Layne's versatility and football IQ at the quarterback position has really grown nicely in 2023 giving the Trojans a huge boost from 2022. Still uncommitted, the Pirates will have to avoid giving up the big splash plays from this young man on Saturday morning as his length and explosive athleticism is surely capable of doing some damage.   Garrett Cramer, RB (2024)   -1097 all-purpose yards, 18 total touchdowns   Quick Eval: Garrett's elusive running ability has shown off in full-throttle in the 2023 season as a prospect that has been on our Big Dogs of the Week radar over the last season or so. There is not much tape available, however Garrett strikes me on tape with his quick instincts with his change of direction.   Avon: Quick Notes   -The Pirates are putting up similar offensive numbers during these 9B plays averaging right on 46 points per game.   -I was highly impressed with their dominant defensive efforts in the 9B semifinals stopping a very athletic De Smet Bulldogs last week by a sizable margin.   -In my eyes, the Pirates shined in the 9B playoffs against better competition in De Smet, and last year's 9B state champions in Hitchcock-Tulare giving them which should certainly set up to be a great game tomorrow morning at 10 AM at the Dakota Dome at USD.   Key Pirates to Watch on Thursday Morning:   Aziah Meyer, RB (2025)   -1725 all-purpose yards (1669 rushing) 34 total touchdowns   Quick Eval: Aziah has been the driving force to this Pirates rushing attack this season and at 6'4, this young man is a long striding running back that can be dangerous getting contact yards. Aziah also has excellent balance around the edges to churn his body downhill with a strong burst as he's much quicker than the tape might show and expect Aziah to rumble for several carries with the use of those skillsets on Thursday morning.   Terran Talsma, LB/OL (2024)   -104 tackles (7 tackles for a loss), 7 sacks, 5 fumble recoveries, one defensive touchdown   Quick Eval: I loved watching Terran's vision at middle linebacker when you roll the tape. He also with his size shows off well-developed physicality on contact and at 6'5 220 pounds is a wrecking ball at linebacker that has solid athletic mobility. Clearly with five fumble recoveries on the season, this young man plays with a lot of instincts as I certainly expect him to be a huge factor for the Pirates on Thursday morning at the Dakota Dome as an under the radar prospect that is also uncommitted in the 2024 class, that should get some local interest at the NAIA level in my opinion.   9A:   Deubrook Area Dolphins (8-3) vs. Warner Monarchs (11-0)   Nate's Pick: Warner Monarchs   Jake's Pick: Warner Monarchs   Deubrook Area: Quick Notes   -The Dolphins are a great example of a team firing on all cylinders at the best time of the season as Deubrook has hit their plateau of their team ceiling in the 9B playoffs.   -Jake and I were HIGH on the Dolphins scanning their roster and tape over the summer and we love seeing those summer predictions come to life in November.   -They won a hard fought game in the 9A semifinals over then undefeated Phillip, which from what I gazed at from that tape was a gritty win by the Dolphins coming into the 9A state championship game.   Key Dolphins to Watch on Thursday Afternoon:   Jake Jorenby, WR/DB (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/jakejorenby">Twitter</a>   Offense: 23 receptions, 585 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns. Defense: Three defensive interceptions, two forced fumbles.   Quick Eval: One of the Deubrook Area Dolphins I was high on this summer stays true today in 2024 WR/DB Jake Jorenby has he had a great year on both sides of the ball. Jake is a fluid route-runner at 6'3 185 pounds and regardless of the side of the ball he is on, plays with a significant amount of range with his length and his catch-radius. He also plays with significant instincts, as I loved the determination I saw on tape from Jake last week when he ran down a Phillip ball carrier well downfield and got the Dolphins a turnover due to his awareness. He'll be a swiss army knife tomorrow afternoon for sure. Uncommitted 2024 prospect to know.   Gavin Landmark, RB/LB (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/gavin_landmark">Twitter</a>   Offense: 1256 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns Defense: 75 tackles (13 tackles for a loss), 2 sacks   Quick Eval: I am a big fan of the damage of Gavin's vision especially within the open field around the edges, as that shows off consistently on tape. He also has a well-versed finish that I liked on tape for those long-runs where he used his 6'1 190 pound body to easily pull away from the secondary. Defensively, I like Gavin's feel in run and pass coverage as he shows off a reactive trigger with his change of direction and can play downhill. Uncommitted 2024 prospect to know.   Warner, Quick Notes:   -Warner has been one of 9A's top ranked teams constantly throughout the 2023 season, as their offense and has thrived to a 38.5 point difference (45.5, 7) during the regular season and they certainly have not let up that consistency in the 9A playoffs, taking that scoring average up to 50 point per game to just under 6 points per game defensively in their three games.   -Warner also has plenty of quality wins on their schedule compared to the Dolphins. 27-20 over Faulkton Area, 22-13 over Hamlin, 37-16 over Canistota, and 61-6 over Potter County as each one of these teams either are playing for a state championship tomorrow or made it to the state semifinals at a minimum.   -Warner has been here before, and plenty of the names that have been standouts this year are prospects that I recall writing about during last year's 9A state championship game against Gregory.   Monarchs to Watch on Thursday Afternoon:   Jesiah Baum, RB/LB (2026)   -820 all-purpose yards, 11 touchdowns   Quick Eval: After watching Jesiah's tape from last year, I knew going into the 2023 season he would be one of Warner's "next up" prospects and that has shown true this season. This young man just from looking at the stats shows off a ton of balance in the run and pass game and on tape against Canistota made the high-traffic catches look easy with all his athleticism he brings to the table. Despite his smaller size, this kid plays way bigger than his measurables when you watch him progress thru contact as a sophomore that has plenty of elusive traits that I expect will be seen by the state of South Dakota this Thursday afternoon.   Hunter Cramer, QB/ATH (2024)   -Offense: 39 total touchdowns (27 rush, 12 pass) Defense: 67 tackles, 3 interceptions   Quick Eval: Hunter I recall being one of the top Monarchs in last year's state championship game, as I like this young man's growing vision he shows off in the Warner rushing attack. Hunter has also shown more efficiency passing the football this season with what his stats show off. Hunter has certainly grown his balance from 2022 to 2023 especially along the outside edges, as he shows on tape an athlete that is a pain in the rear end to bring down as the Dolphins better make sure they show off all their physicality while trying to bring him to the turf in Vermillion tomorrow.   9AA:   Howard Tigers (10-1) vs. Parkston Trojans (11-0)   Nate's Pick: Howard Tigers   Jake's Pick: Parkston Trojans   Howard, Quick Notes:   -In my eyes, Howard has had a tougher schedule in the 9AA playoffs to get to the 9AA state championship by beating Elkton-Lake Benton and Platte-Geddes in the quarterfinals and semifinals in which they outscored the #5 and #2 ranked teams by a scoring margin of 64-8.   -The Tigers have been excellent with their running game as on average this season they averaged over 350 rushing yards per game. Plus, they have four players that had over 800+ rushing yards in 2023 in Taiden Hoyer, Karsyn Feldhaus, Tate Miller, and Jackson Remmers, so they will have several punches to hand the ball off to on Thursday afternoon to have success.   -Howard is slightly under Parkston in their point differential against mutual opponents this season, however I always say those numbers go out the window when it comes to evaluating a state championship game.   Tigers to Watch on Thursday Evening:   Taiden Hoyer, QB/DB (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/taiden_h">Twitter</a>   Offense-1746 all-purpose yards, 29 total touchdowns Defense: 6 interceptions   Quick Eval: Taiden is another prospect that I am intrigued with the fluidity he brings running the football as he shows plenty of power in his lower body getting thru contact. I also like the speed of his quick release on intermediate routes that when needed, could cause some problems downfield with his quick progressions. Taiden also showed off why he is so versatile on both sides of the ball, as on tape he shows off sound ball-tracking skills on tape and has the physicality you want in your secondary with the contact he makes. Yet another 2024 prospect I would keep on my radar at the next-level especially as an ideal defensive back fit.   Luke Koepsell, TE/DE (2025) <a href="https://twitter.com/KoepsellLuke">Twitter</a>   Offense-18 receptions, 409 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns Defense- 75 tackles, 9 sacks   Quick Eval: Luke doesn't have much football tape to watch, however his 6'4 205 pound frame at tight end and defensive end really interests me going into Thursday afternoon. His physicality and length shows off some catchy skillsets for both sides of the ball as a prospect that projects at defensive end at the next-level as a prospect that constantly will put up a fight with his hands defensively. He averaged 22.7 yards per catch this season, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him stretch the field when Howard does pass the ball on Thursday.   Parkston, Quick Notes:   -The Trojans defense has allowed a total of 9 points all year long, which has to be the most eye-popping stat amongst all classes in the South Dakota State Football Championships.   -What have the Parkston Trojans done against .500+ teams this season? Their scoring margin is 166-9 with the only two teams to score against them is Hamlin (3) and Hanson (6).   -From last year's state championship game, the Trojans return standout junior running back Kolter Kramer, who was one of my Big Dogs of the Game from 2022's championship game.   Trojans to Watch for on Thursday Evening:   Kolter Kramer, RB (2025) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kramerkolter">Twitter</a>   -40 rushes, 531 rushing yards, seven touchdowns.   Quick Eval: I saw it in last year's game and I will call it out again on tape from Kolter, as this young man has some great agility that he shows off along the edges of the field and I believe he is a faster than he gets credit for on tape with all the elusive vision he will bring to the table tomorrow. I also like his efficiency getting thru first contact, as that durable running ability certainly sets a tone for him to progress downfield on tape. A 2025 prospect to certainly know for the next-level for Parkston.   Luke Bormann, RB/DB (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lukebormann1211">Twitter</a>   -1191 all-purpose yards, 18 total touchdowns.   Quick Eval: Luke certainly has plenty of burst in him which he showed off in a 95-yard rushing touchdown against Hamlin last week. With almost 1200 total yards in 2023, the Tigers will certainly need to game plan for where this young man lines up on the field as for his size he gets downhill on his runs extremely quick, as the Trojans top rusher should show off plenty of his steam on Thursday evening at the Dakota Dome.

VERMILLION, SD-- All the football fun starts tomorrow at the Dakota Dome, as the 9-man South Dakota State Football Championships get started at 10 AM tomorrow. We will see 9B at 10 AM, 9A at 2 PM, and 9AA at 7 PM. Tonight, we launch our preview of the six teams you will be watching tomorrow in Vermillion, from 9B to 9AA as we evaluate the teams with quick notes about their seasons, players to watch and where we found some wild stats on all of the teams competing. Some teams are firing on all cylinders at the best time of the season, and some have been the leaders of the pack all year long, looking to finish their season on top. We break it all down below!