Simplified: The Sioux Falls Christian Chargers enter the season after going 12-0 last year en route to the school’s third state title. SFC has all the ingredients of another trip to the DakotaDome in November, and anything short of a state title would be a disappointment. 

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There was a time when Sioux Falls Christian struggled to put a quality football product on the field. 

Those days are over.

After going 5-35 in its first five years of existence, the Chargers finally had a .500 season when they went 4-4 in 2014, and they were just getting started. They won back-to-back Class 11B titles in 2017 and 2018 under head coach Jake Pettengill. Pettengill resigned after the 2018 championship season, and turned the reins over to Jared Smith.

Last year, Smith led SFC to its third state championship – a Class 11A crown – and the school’s first undefeated season at 12-0. 

It seems very likely that the Chargers, again, are just getting started. 

SFC returns a load of talent from last year’s unbeaten squad and there’s little doubt the Chargers will be in the title mix again in November, attempting to get the DakotaDome for the fourth time in school history.

Back for SFC is quarterback Cooper Strande. Last year, the junior threw for 1,622 passing yards with 20 touchdown strikes and just one interception. He also rushed for 414 yards and two scores.

“He’s fast and shifty,” Smith said. “He’s really improved his throwing ability. And when we need to run it, he’s definitely going to run the ball.”

Not just a running game

The Chargers were a run-heavy team for years under Pettengill. Things have opened up a tad under Smith, especially last year with former Sioux Falls Roosevelt head coach Kim Nelson as the team’s offensive coordinator. Smith played for Nelson for the Rough Riders, and after Nelson retired from Roosevelt, Smith said he made a quick call to see if he’d be interested in joining the Chargers’ sideline. Smith was also the offensive line coach under Nelson at Roosevelt.

“Last year we were running some of the same stuff that I learned from Kim (at Roosevelt), same terminology, but I put my stamp on the run game,” Smith said. “A little more bootleg/play action stuff.”

Although SFC lost tight ends Canyon Prins and Drew Netjes to Dordt University, the Chargers are deep again this year in the receiving corps. Jude Prins and Jesse Witte are both returning wide receivers for their junior season. Prins finished last year with 387 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 29 receptions, and Witte caught 17 balls for 203 yards and three touchdowns.

Missing some key players

Despite a load of offensive weapons returning, the Chargers will have to deal with the loss of Brant Wassenaar, the Drake University basketball recruit. The wide receiver finished last year with 600 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, but putting all of efforts into basketball this season.

The Chargers will also have to replace the running back duo of Jensen Pixler (USF) and Tate Connell (Northwestern). Junior Damon Jasper, who last year rushed for 217 yards and a score, will likely carry that load this year.

A close-up shot of the helmet, featuring the SFC logo, on a football player. Photo courtesy of Sioux Falls Christian.
Photo courtesy of Sioux Falls Christian

He’ll run behind an offensive line led by senior right tackle Andersen Semchenko and junior Rowan Vander Stouwe. Semchenko has already been offered to play at both Augustana and Wayne State. Vander Stouwe played left tackle last year and has moved to center for 2026. Braden Aukes also played on the offensive line last year, but made the switch to defense this year after a nagging back injury limited his time.

Defensively, the Chargers will be anchored by three-year starter at nose tackle Maddux Munson, who also throws a 90 mph fastball as a pitcher in baseball. SFC also features linebacker Lincoln Olseth, who last year as a freshman led the team in tackles with 32 and added 6.5 quarterback sacks.

About Sioux Falls Christian

Head coach: Jared Smith (8th year, 47-26)

School record all-time: 95-72

2025: 12-0 (Class 11A Champions)

Conference: Dak XII

Returning Starters: Five offense and six defense 

State championships since 1981: 3 (2017, 2018 - 11B; 2025 - 11A).

Assistant coaches:

  • Shelby Aanenson, Steve Connell, Brad Gaudy, Brett Keepers, Kim Nelson, Jon Setzer, Darieon Smith, James Terry, Matt Wolf

Strengths: The Chargers return 11 players off of last year’s championship team. Quarterback Cooper Strande had a big season last year, as a sophomore. Strande could arguably be one of the best quarterbacks in the state when his career is over at SFC. The Chargers also have solid wide receivers, offensive linemen, and a stacked defense for 2026.

Weaknesses: There aren’t many, but the Chargers enter the season without 600 receiving yards and seven touchdowns put up last year by Brant Wassenaar, a Drake University basketball recruit who’s dedicating his senior season to the hardwood. SFC is also young at running back after losing starters Jensen Pixler and Tate Connell.

Top returners:

  • QB/DB Cooper Strande (jr., 6-1, 185);
  • WR Jude Prins (jr., 6-0, 185);
  • WR Jesse Witte (jr., 6-2, 190),
  • OL Rowan Vander Stouwe (jr., 6-0, 250);
  • OL Anderson Semchenko (sr., 6-7, 275);
  • DL Maddux Munson (sr., 6-1, 220);
  • DL Braden Aukes (sr., 5-10, 220);
  • LB Lincoln Olseth (so., 5-9, 165);
  • LB Darieon Smith (jr., 6-0, 185).

Opener: At Lennox, August 28.