SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The defending 9B state champion is neck-and-neck with the 9A state champ according to the 9B preseason rankings.
Dell Rapids St. Mary is the defending state champion, but they’re just two votes ahead of the 9A state champ, Wall. Warner sits third in the preseason rankings, followed by Avon and Colman-Egan.
Dell Rapids St. MaryCardinals
The preseason #1 Cardinals enter this season as the defending champions after an unbeaten 12-0 record last year.
Returning all but three players from the title-winning squad, the Cards have their sights set on the DakotaDome, this time leaning on their senior players to lead them back to glory.
KELOLAND had the chance to talk with some of the players about these goals for the season.
“Having 12 seniors, it’s really good because everybody’s a leader, everybody knows what it took last year to get to the dome and win, and obviously everybody wants to do that again,” lineman Gavin Pica said.
“We just got to make sure we get better every day. We have to make sure we stay locked in in practice, hold each other accountable, make sure we get better every day, and don’t slack off,” senior Jaxon Baumberger said.
WallEagles
The Eagles are coming off a state title win in 9A following an undefeated season. Wall joins 9B with 10 returning seniors, including the majority of the Eagles’ skill position players.
Wall saw all of its offensive line graduate, but head coach Lex Heathershaw is confident in the younger players’ ability to make the transition seamless.
“One of the things we tell our team is our number two guys are just as important as our number ones,” Heathershaw said. “Our scout team guys are what prepare week in and week out, and they’re getting that valuable time, so when it’s their turn, they’re ready to go.”
Wall travels to Bennett County to open the season Friday at 7 p.m. Mountain Time.
AvonPirates
The Pirates come in at number four following a state runner-up finish in 9B last season. Avon returns just five seniors from its 10-2 season, but Pirates head coach Justin Lukkes is confident that the small but experienced leadership group will provide plenty of support for the team to build on that DakotaDome appearance.
“A few returning starters that are really going to help,” Lukkes said. “We’ve got Cale Cooper returning at running back, and our other senior, Dominic Doom, is our only returning lineman from last year, so that will be a big help up front.”
Avon opens the year at Scotland/Menno on Friday night.
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