Lead Scout's Take: SD 11AAA Power Scores, Week 4

We launched our own algorithm called Power Scores this afternoon which you can read more about <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/what-are-power-scores/">here </a>on the breakdown on what goes into it. I'll say as our lead scout: I have zero input that goes into our power scores. However, I do have the ability to challenge the algorithm based on what I know about 11AAA football with all the teams and players involved by being around the Dakotas since we launched in 2020. I'll get into where each team in 11AAA lies and my take on if they are too low or too high based on the algorithm. Also, note that there is crossover as the power score ranks every class without divisions   By the Numbers   -First number is rank in 11AAA, second number is overall rank amongst all divisions   #1 Sioux Falls Lincoln 97.63   #2 Sioux Falls Jefferson 97.49   #3 Brandon Valley 97.45   #4/#20 Harrisburg 88.58   #5/#38 Sioux Falls O'Gorman 79.08   #6/#39 Rapid City Central 79   #7/#47 Sioux Falls Washington 71.39   #8/#52 Rapid City Stevens 70.47   #9/#54 Sioux Falls Roosevelt 69.71   Overrated or Underrated?   I tell you which from our algorithm is overrated or underrated in my evaluation thus far as we enter Week 4   • Win percentage   Overrated At this point this early in the season. Just due to we have only played three games thus far and one loss can drop you a substancial percentage especially like Brandon Valley, Sioux Falls Lincoln, and Sioux Falls Jefferson that are the only undefeated teams left in 11AAA.   • Point differential   Underrated It is not a shock to anyone that 11AAA is always competitive so the amount of lopsided scores are probably the lowest in all the classes. With that being said, this could be an overrated factor the deeper we get into the season especially once the playoffs hit as all it takes is one team peaking at the right time, such as Brandon Valley it seems to be every year regardless of what their regular season record is.   • Opponent win percentage   Neutral11AAA has a lot of parity, minus all the teams that are 0-3 minus one I feel anybody can beat anybody any week . Example: the team that shocks me the most that is still winless is Sioux Falls Washington, however I feel that ends this week on the road against the second of three 0-3 teams, Rapid City Stevens.   • Strength of schedule (opponent and opponent's opponent win %)   Underrated Because most of 11AAA schedules at least one 11AA opponent each year that is one area I look at heading into Week 4. Harrisburg has probably the toughest 11AA test with #1 ranked Yankton coming to Harrisburg on Saturday night. Rapid City Stevens took a loss at home in Week 3 against #3 ranked Sturgis Brown, Sioux Falls Jefferson took the top of the 11AA state champs last year in Week 1 against Watertown, and Sioux Falls Roosevelt will have a tough Week 5 against Brookings on the road at Dana Dykhouse Stadium.   • Classification size   Underrated Unlike other states, 11AAA only has nine teams fighting for a state championship at the Dakota Dome so compared to other states, I feel the road to the dome is smoother than in some neighboring states.   Superlatives   Biggest Lock   Brandon Valley (3-0) winning over Sioux Falls Roosevelt (0-3)   Most Interesting Games   #2 Sioux Falls Jefferson (3-0) vs. #1 Sioux Falls Lincoln (3-0)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   #6 Rapid City Central (1-2) at #5 Sioux Falls O'Gorman (1-2)   #1 11AA Yankton (3-0) at #3 Harrisburg (2-1)   Winless No More in Week 4   Sioux Falls Washington will get their first win against Rapid City Stevens this week. The Warriors are too stacked with prospects to be winless after four weeks.   Biggest Shifts   If Sioux Falls Jefferson defeats Sioux Falls Lincoln at Howard Wood Field, my question will be: Do they jump Brandon Valley to the #1 spot or will they stay in the #2 spot behind the Lynx?

We launched our own algorithm called Power Scores this afternoon which you can read more about here on the breakdown on what goes into it. I'll say as our lead scout: I have zero input that goes into our power scores. However, I do have the ability to challenge the algorithm based on what I know about 11AAA football with all the teams and players involved by being around the Dakotas since we launched in 2020. I'll get into where each team in 11AAA lies and my take on if they are too low or too high based on the algorithm. Also, note that there is crossover as the power score ranks every class without divisions