The area high school football season kicked off last week, and there are already some storylines emerging. The video preview above for the matchup between O’Gorman and Roosevelt in the Presidents’ Bowl explores some, and you can find more in below.
Friday
Brandon Valley (0-1) at Watertown (1-0), 7 p.m.
Brandon Valley’s offense, experienced and athletic in both the pass and run games, looked far from lethal in the Lynx’s 27-22 loss to Washington at home. In their effort to get Chase Grode and Spencer Grage going to a greater degree than the three combined catches they had against the Warriors, the Lynx face a Watertown defense coming off a strong showing — 162 total yards allowed — against Pierre, the Class 11AA runners-up. After facing a talented sophomore running back in Washington’s Tupak Kpeayeh, Brandon Valley will try to stop Bubba Spiering, the Arrows’ senior running back who rushed for 147 yards on 16 carries in week one.
Canton (1-0) vs. West Central (0-1), 7 p.m.
West Central suffered a 21-6 loss to Dakota Valley in the first game of the season, and the Trojans’ week two matchup doesn’t look any easier. Canton beat Vermillion by a handy 31-7 margin and held the Tanagers scoreless until the fourth quarter. The C-Hawks’ powerful rushing attack gained them 269 yards on 41 carries in that win.
Dell Rapids (0-1) vs. Vermillion (0-1), 7 p.m.
The Quarriers’ defense had an unsuccessful night containing Madison wide receiver Mason Leighton — especially on kick and punt returns — in their loss to the Bulldogs. Vermillion doesn’t appear to have a threat the caliber of Leighton, so week two could be an easier go for Dell Rapids’ defense, but the Quarriers will also need to have a more productive offensive night. They managed just 177 yards on 65 carries and gained only six yards passing the ball.
Harrisburg (1-0) vs. Huron (1-0), 7 p.m.
The Tigers will be buoyed by their comeback win over Mitchell, where they trailed 10-0 at halftime but blanked the Kernels while scoring four touchdowns in the second half to notch a 27-10 victory. Harrisburg is set to receive Huron for its home opener, and this Tiger/Tiger matchup could be fairly tight. Huron shut out Douglas all four quarters in its 35-0 week one win and held the Patriots to just 33 yards of total offense.
Madison (1-0) vs. Dakota Valley (1-0), 7 p.m.
The Madison/West Central rivalry has defined Class 11A in recent years, and the Bulldogs, just off a strong win over Dell Rapids, get the team that just beat the Trojans soundly. Madison’s offense is slightly retooled, with receiver Mason Leighton assuming much of the big-play responsibility that Mitch Hansen and Brodie Frederiksen would take, but Leighton’s performance against the Quarriers affirmed his capabilities.
Sioux Falls Christian (1-0) vs. Bridgewater/Emery-Ethan (1-0), 7 p.m.
The Chargers don’t seem to have changed up last year’s run-first offensive approach much, even with the loss of productive tailbacks Keegan Van Egdom and Jackson Olson. Sioux Falls Christian blanked McCook Central/Montrose, 29-0, in week one, and all four of the Chargers’ touchdowns came on the ground. They’ll face another strong rushing attack on Frida, as the Seahawk’s Cole Gassman ran for 193 yards in B/E-E’s 28-14 win over Beresford.
Tea Area (1-0) vs. Lennox (0-1), 7 p.m.
The 20-0 final margin of Tea Area’s win over Parkston seems to have been at the low end of potential scores, as the Titans had a huge night on offense, rushing for 197 yards and gaining 244 through the air. While the rushing attack was a well-balanced effort, Dylan Munkvold dominated the receiving output, gaining 183 yards and catching two touchdowns. It could be another long night for Lennox’s defense, which allowed 42 points against Hot Springs in the Orioles’ season opener.
Tri-Valley (1-0) vs. Parkston (0-1), 7 p.m.
Landon Freeman looks to be a capable successor to Brenton Hanisch at running back for Tri-Valley. Freeman scored twice and ran for 122 yards in the Mustangs’ 34-21 win over Elk-Point Jefferson in week one. Parkston, meanwhile, will try to get more offense any way it can — the Trojans managed 156 yards of offense and didn’t score in their loss to Tea Area.
Aberdeen Central’s Collin Stoebner (82) is brought down by Roosevelt’s Gustaf Radel (64) during a game Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.
Aberdeen Central’s Collin Stoebner (82) is brought down by Roosevelt’s Gustaf Radel (64) during a game Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.
Saturday
Roosevelt (1-0) vs. O’Gorman (1-0), 3:30 p.m.
O’Gorman has a win under its belt in the Jayson Poppinga era, and now the Knights’ are challenged with Roosevelt’s powerful defense. See the video preview for more.
Washington (1-0) vs. Lincoln (1-0), 7:00 p.m.
The Patriots’ offense has taken yet another huge hit in the early season. Lincoln beat Rapid City Stevens, 40-20, in week one behind a strong rushing performance, but quarterback Preston Eisenbraun hurt his right knee — the same one he suffered a season-ending injury to last year with Wall — and could miss the rest of the season. Cole DeBerg and Tiegen Salava both got snaps in Eisenbraun’s absence. The Warriors, meanwhile, are riding on confidence from the breakthrough performances of running back Tupak Kpeayeh and quarterback Jayden Johannsen, both sophomores, in their 27-22 win over Brandon Valley. Washington’s defense, young but very talented, will likely give Lincoln a tougher test than Stevens’ did.
Follow Ian Frazer on Twitter at @IanMcFrazer .