11AA preview: Pierre Governors take aim at historic 3-peat

Brian Haenchen
Argus Leader

The graduation of fullback/linebacker Gage Gehring and tight end/outside linebacker Jack Maher does leave Pierre with a couple significant holes to fill in 2019. However, their talent and experience at virtually every other position puts them head-and-shoulders above the rest of Class 11AA. 

"We started slow last year and saw great growth over the course of the year, ultimately leading us back to the DakotaDome," coach Steve Steele said, emphasizing the importance of his players staying healthy. "For us to get back this year, we need to come out humble and ready to earn our way back to the top, because we will have a target on our back all year long."

Pierre's River Iverson (30) takes the field with Maguire Raske (14) before the game against Roosevelt Friday, Oct. 12, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

While there is a consensus favorite in 11AA, the pecking order beyond the top-ranked Governors remains undetermined. 

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Huron, which went on a postseason tear and gave the Governors all they could handle in last year's championship game, graduated quarterback Jett McGirr and tailback Chipper Shillingstad, as well as four starting linemen (Parker Broer, Gabe Rieger, Bryce Steffen and Remington Walton). However, they do return receiver/safety Cooper Fryberger and tailbacks Landon Hegg and Hayden Hegg.

"We will have to have a lot of young, inexperienced players step up and compete," said first-year coach Scott Spanton. "It will be a great challenge for us, but we will embrace it and try to step up to the challenge on a weekly basis." 

Huron's Cooper Fryberger (15) runs the ball during a game against Pierre, Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.

Mitchell and Sturgis uniquely contrast from one another. The Kernels have some talent and experience coming out of the backfield, but have revamped their offensive and defensive lines. Conversely, the Scoopers lost a lot of their offensive firepower from 2018, but are feeling confident about their front lines heading into the new year.

After allowing 34 points per game last season, Yankton will need its defense to step up in 2019, especially early on as coach Brady Muth works in a host of new players on the offensive side (only three starters returning). 

"If our younger guys can take the opportunities they have and grow up quick we have a shot to compete every Friday night," Muth said. "There is talent on this team we just need to get on the field and prove it." 

BROOKINGS

COACH: Lee Schmidt

2018: 6-5, 11AA semifinals

KEY LOSSES: Logan Bowes, LB; Tucker Christie, G; Justin Devine, CB; Tyler Kreutner, SS; Sam Lehman, CB; Isaac Oetken, WR/FS; Walker Resmen, LB; Jacob Schoon, QB; Jay Szafryk, DE; Jay Wilber, WR; Gabe Wounded Head, G.

TOP RETURNERS: Brady Ammann, Sr., LB; Theo Burns, Sr., LB; Carter Eidem, Sr., RB; Preston Helbolt, Sr., WR; Cayden Jacobsma, Sr., C; Gus Miller, Sr., OT/DL; Joe Prusa, Sr., OT; Rhett Zelinsky, Sr., DE; Cole Mahlum, Jr., WR.

COACH QUOTE: "We have a balance of experienced players coming back and a group of hungry sophomores who want to find time at the varsity level... We need to create an identity with the new personnel, especially at quarterback." 

DOUGLAS

COACH: Dan Maciejczak (8th year)

2018: 0-9

KEY LOSSES: Connor Braun, TE/LB; Isiah DuBray, WR/DB; Garrett Hutcheson, FB/LB; Noah Vinson, WR/DB.

TOP RETURNERS: Jaiden Walton, Sr., FB/LB; Jason Maciejczak, Fr., OL/DL.

COACH QUOTE: "We have some big kids and for the first time in a long while, we have a few of them... This season the goal is to win our first AA playoff game. We have three transfers thanks to the Air Force, which should help us reach our goals."

HURON

COACH: Scott Spanton (1st year)

2018: 6-6, 11AA runner-up

KEY LOSSES: Parker Broer, OL; Matt Katz, FB/LB; Jett McGirr, QB; Gabe Rieger, OL/DL; Chipper Shillingstad, RB/DB; Bryce Steffen, OL/DL; Remington Walton, DL.

TOP RETURNERS: Cooper Fryberger, Sr., WR/FS; Landon Hegg, Sr., RB/DB; Hayden Hegg, Sr., RB/DB; Spencer Lord, Sr., DL; Tristan Cardona, Jr., OL/DL; Max Kretschame, Jr., OL; Tyson Lien, Jr., DB/LB; Sebastian Cardona, Jr., OL/DL; Derek Siemsonsma, Jr., TE/LB; Isaiah Decker, So., OL/DL; Cade McNeil, So., QB.

COACH QUOTE: "We will have to have a lot of young, inexperienced players step up and compete each and every week against quality opponents. It will be a great challenge for us, but we will embrace it and try to step up on a weekly basis."

Huron's Cooper Fryberger (15) catches the ball during a game against Pierre, Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.

MITCHELL

COACH: Kent VanOverschelde 

2018: 4-6, 11AA quarterfinals

KEY LOSSES: Drew Kitchens, RB; Dylan Krogman, DL; Carson Max, LB/FB; Carter Max, C; Kiel Nelson, QB; Jackson Sadler, DB; Max Schoenfelder, LB; Levi Winne, DL.

TOP RETURNERS: Taylor Feterl, Sr., OL; Carter Jacobsen, Sr., RB; Austin Kerr, Sr., QB; Trevor Lambert, Sr., K; Ryan McGinnis, Sr., LB; Payton Nash, Sr., DB; Ty VanderPol, Sr., LB; Parker Phillips, Jr., RB; Nick Rubendall, Jr., LB; Ben Ziebarth, Jr., DL.

COACH QUOTE: "We will look to our incoming seniors to lead from the front. Defensive line will be critical for success in 2019, and a revamped offensive line will prove important with returning experience in the backfield. Overall, great anticipation for 2019, as most of the upcoming players have been eagerly awaiting an opportunity to play football and compete."

Washington's Jhett Andersen catches a touchdown in the end zone against Mitchell's Peyton Nash during the game  Friday, Sept.14, at Howard Wood Field.

PIERRE

COACH: Steve Steele (4th year)

2018: 10-2, 11AA champions

KEY LOSSES: Gage Gehring, FB/LB; Jack Maher, TE/OLB; Nathan Schnabel, NT; Zane Schuchard, WR; Lee Snyder, DB; Jace Wernsmann, OG;

TOP RETURNERS: Andrew Coverdale, Sr., WR; Matt Heilman, Sr., OT; Cade Hinkle, Sr., LB; River Iverson, Sr., LB; Cole Nelson, Sr., OG; Chase Sattgast, Sr., EDGE; Garrett Stout, Sr., QB/DB; Grey Zabel, Sr., C/DT; Gunnar Gehring, Jr., OG/DT; Maguire Raske, Jr., RB; Preston Taylor, Jr., DT.

COACH QUOTE: "The key to our success this year will first and foremost be staying healthy... For us to get back this year, we need to come out humble and ready to earn our way back to the top as we know we will have a target on our back all year long."

Pierre's Grey Zabel looks to the sidelines during the game against Roosevelt Friday, Oct. 12, at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

STURGIS BROWN

COACH: Chris Koletzky (5th year)

2018: 4-6, 11AA quarterfinals

KEY LOSSES: Manny Gallosa, HB/OLB; Zyairr Johnson Landoll, LT/DE; Jay Krull, TE/DE; Blake McNaught, RG; Ceddrick Stabber, HB/CB; Daniel Walter, LG; Gavin West, QB/FS.

TOP RETURNERS: Justin Burnham, Sr., WB/SS; Cy Eixenberger, Sr., RT; Trevor Erlenbusch, Sr., FB/MLB; Dylan Gillespie, Sr., OLB; Josh Fowler, Sr., WR/FS; Justin Green, Sr., DT; Wren Jacobs, Sr., MLB; Gabe Legner, Sr., OLB; Cody Nelson, Sr., C; Daylen Rhodes, Sr., HB/CB.

COACH QUOTE: "We lost a lot of offensive production and some big play capability from last year so we will be looking to Justin Burnham, Kaden Phillps, Kaden Nelson, and Zach Shoun to take the next step and be productive at moving the chains. Our offensive and defensive lines looks to be the strong points."

YANKTON

COACH: Brady Muth (2nd year)

2018: 6-5, 11AA semifinals

KEY LOSSES: Ethan Wishon, QB; Rex Ryken, WR; Michael Drotzmann, TE; Caid Koletzky, RB; Levi Wiersma, LB; Donavan Bain, LB.

TOP RETURNERS: Ryan Eichacker, Sr., CB; Wil Pease, Sr., C; Korbin Postma, Sr., DE; Tanner Fitzgerald, Jr., SS; Gaige Koster, Jr., OG; Zavier Leonard, Jr., NT; Brodey Peterson, Jr., OLB; Corbin Sohler, Jr., RB; Owen Warren, So., LB.

COACH QUOTE: "We have a lot of new faces... We have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but if we are to have a successful season we are going to have to get all of the players in new spots acclimated to playing football at a high level."

Yankton defender Trevor Fitzgerald (8) intercepts a pass in action against Harrisburg on Thursday night in Harrisburg. The Bucks won 28-26 in the final regular season game.

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