Class 11B Preview

This week we take a peek at Class 11B. This class is more competitive and balanced at the top than it's been in several years. And the talent of the individual players across the class is as good as it's ever been. It's going to take an epic season for a team to come out of this group unscathed.

 

 

Class 11B

1. Sioux Falls Christian

Seven starters are back for the defending champions. That's a good starting point for head coach Jake Pettengill and the Sioux Falls Christian Chargers.

IMPACT PLAYERS

You may have heard of Parker Nelson. The speedster put together a remarkable break-out junior season last year (2,147
yards, 283 carries,  7.58 YPC,  only 1 Fumble,  20 Rushing TD). He'll be the focal point of this offense but not the only impact player. Dawson Mulder and Jett Olszewski will compete for the starting quarterback job. Mitch Goodbary will be an elite two-way player for the chargers at tight end and linebacker. Carter Fawcett, Zach Witte, Ryan Sjaarda, Clay Vinson and Carter DeJong fill out a deep and talented core of top end players on this team.

KEY GAMES:

The opener against Winner, just like last year, will be a great measuring stick for the Chargers. They also have Sioux Valley at home and finish the season out on the road against one of the best teams in Class 11A in Tea.

BOTTOM LINE

Sioux Falls Chrstian will not have trouble matching up physically with other teams in this class. They'll have to find the defensive toughness to close out games and bring some balance with their passing game to really evolve into the favorites in the class.

PREDICTION

7-1

2. Bridgewater-Emery/EThan

The Seahawks have officially become a great 11-man team. They made a trip to the dome last year and have the talent back to make that a realistic goal this year. They return four starters on offense and on defense.

IMPACT PLAYERS

BEE has some serious talent on their roster. Carter Dye is one of the best linemen in the state. He found his way to 21 TFLs and 13 sacks as a junior last season. Brady Hawkins is one of the premier athletes in the class returning at quarterback and Jamin Arend went over 1,300 yards rushing with 16TDs in the backfield. These three are at or near the top of their position groups in this class. They also have Austen Hoffman back who will be an impact player on both sides of the ball.

KEY GAMES

The Seahawks challenge themselves with a home game on September 7th against Madison and then will end the season with their toughest road game of the year in Volga against Sioux Valley.

BOTTOM LINE

One of the better BEE teams in recent memory will challenge for a title once again. Head Coach Jeff Van Leur knows they'll need to re-load on the line in order to get to their goals but if they find some newcomers to fill those holes they'll be tough to beat.

PREDICTION

7-1

3. WINNER

Head Coach Dan Aaker has four starters back from last season to try to get back to a championship level. They will definitely be in the mix as one of the top contenders in the state.

IMPACT PLAYERS

The Winner offense features several options as usual, Phillip Jorgenson, Trevor Peters, Brady Fitz and Brandon Volmer are just a few of the featured backs who will carry this offense. But we all know that Winner builds championship trophy cases on the strength of their defense. Shea Connot, Oscar Pravacek and Sam Kruger are all back to lead one of the top defenses in the class.

KEY GAMES

A tough start to the season kicks off with a trip to Sioux Falls Christian. This young Winner team may not come out of the gate with enough to compete in August, but by mid-season when they host Mt. Vernon/Plankinton and the end of the year when they play Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central they could evolve into a very good team. They also have a big home game on August 31st against Class 11A West Central.

BOTTOM LINE

Winner is used to winning because of their great coaching and culture around the program. They'll have to get some significant help from their younger players who are underclassmen in order to end the year in the top five. I believe they can do that with this talented up and coming group. Dan Aaker knows as good as their skilled players are they'll need help up front in order to win this year, "How we are up front will be a determining factor in this season's success.  Staying healthy will also be a big key.  This years team is one that could make alot of strides as the season goes on if everyone buys into the process everyday."

PREDICTION

6-2

4. MT.VERNON/PLANKINTON

 

A heartbreaking end to the 2017 season against Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central gives the Titans more than enough motivation to get ready for an exciting 2018. They won four of their last five games last year heading into the playoffs and look to pick up right where they left off with a lot of talent back this year.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Jesse Hastings had a tremendous sophomore season last year rushing for over 1,000 yards including a huge 230 yard game against Beresford. This spring Jesse posted the third fastest 40-yd sprint at the Riggs Power Combine and also had a top 10 finish in the bench press. Hastings' posesses one of the most rare power/speed combos in the state. Hayden Haak returns at QB for his senior season. Hunter Pranger and Colton Tobin are junior backs and Thomas Baker will be back as a junior to be one of the top defensive players around.

KEY GAMES

Last season's 5-3 mark included losses to Stanley County, W/WS/SC and Winner. This season they have a chance to avenege losses against all three of those teams. They start the season at home against Stanley County, then they'll be ready for WWSSC on August 31st and then head out to Winner before their bye week on September 21st.

BOTTOM LINE

Head Coach Brent Olson has been giving underclassmen plenty of playing time over the past year or so which gives these players the experience to do some big things this year and next year. The junior class for the Titans is one of the best in 11B. Jesse Hastings could become a regular 200+ yard threat on the ground this year, and the Titans will be much improved.

PREDICTION

7-1

5. Sioux Valley

The Cossacks didn't suffer their first loss in 2017 until the semifinals against Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan. Although they lose one of the top players in the class in Daymein Lucas they have a lot of power back this season. Head Coach Dan Hughes likes the way this team has progressed in the weight room over the past few seasons, "We look forward to competing at a very high level and most of all reaching our potential as a team.  We have had one of our very best years in the weight room and we are excited reap the benefits this fall."

IMPACT PLAYERS

Tyge Schiller will likely be the quarterback on this run-oriented offense. Dalton Hanson should be the featured back this year, last season he averaged 8.3 yards per carry for 659 yards and three touchdowns. Tayte White, Lane Vander Wal will also be in the mix. Brayden Havrevold was an all-state selection a year ago and leads a talented group up front. Ashton Bultje and Isaac Mittan, Jaxton Schiller and several others will be mainstays on the defensive side of the ball.

KEY GAMES

A tough one against Canton in the opener will tell the Cossacks if they belong in the top five or not. They also have a road game on September 14th at Sioux Falls Christian that will be difficult. The regular season finale versus Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan will be a good test before the playoffs.

BOTTOM LINE

I'm not sure if a lot of people think Sioux Valley can be a contender again this year. The combination of losing Daymein Lucas, a tough schedule and a lot of underclassmen will make the road difficult. However, I think they have enough talent to reload and prove to teams they belong near the top of the class.

PREDICTION

6-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN CLASS 11B

Jamin Arend	Sr.	BEE	RB/LB
Jazz Dominguez	Sr.	Chamberlain	QB
Carter Dye	Sr.	BEE	OL/DE
Dylan Gabriel	Jr.	Stanley County	RB
Mitchell Goodbary	Sr.	SF Christian	TE/LB
Caden Halsey	Jr.	Mobridge-Pollock	QB
Connor Hansen	Sr.	Aberdeen Roncalli	OL/DL
Dalton Hanson	Sr.	Sioux Valley	LB/RB
Jesse Hastings	Jr.	Mt. Vernon/Plank
Brayden Havrevold	Sr.	Sioux Valley	OL/DE
Brady Hawkins	Jr.	BEE	QB/DB
Nash Hutmacher	Jr.	Chamberlain	OL/DL
Isaac Mittan	Sr.	Sioux Valley	DT/OL
Brady Morgan	Sr.	Roncalli	QB/DB
Parker Nelson	Sr.	SF Christian	RB
Blake Peterson	Sr.	Beresford	DE/OL
Kayden Verley	Jr.	Canton	Back/Kicker
Clay Vinson	Sr.	SF Christian	LB

JASON ANDERA'S 2018 11B PROJECTIONS

	11B	W	L
1	SF Christian	7	1
2	Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan	7	1
3	Winner	6	2
4	Mt. Vernon/Plankinton	7	1
5	Sioux Valley	6	2
6	Canton	5	3
7	McCook Central/Montrose	5	3
8	Woonsocket/WS/SC	5	3
9	Chamberlain	5	3
10	Aberdeen Roncalli	4	4
11	Stanley County	4	4
12	Mobridge-Pollock	5	3
13	Sisseton	4	4
14	Groton Area	3	5
15	Beresford	2	6
16	Red Cloud	6	2
17	Elk Point-Jefferson	1	7
18	Lead-Deadwood	4	4
19	Bennett County	4	4
20	Flandreau	0	8
21	McLaughlin	3	5
22	Redfield/Doland	1	7
23	Custer	1	7
24	Wagner	0	8
25	Crow Creek	1	7