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Simplified: There likely won't be many surprises in 11AAA football this week, but the game that's less easy to predict is who will win when Harrisburg and O'Gorman re-match.
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It’s quarterfinal Thursday night across South Dakota with eight teams remaining in all seven classes.
In 11AAA, things will likely go as scripted as the top three teams should roll to the semifinals.
However, the No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup looks intriguing, on paper at least.
No. 4 Harrisburg (5-4) plays host to No. 5 O’Gorman (5-4), a rematch of the Dakota Bowl played at O’Gorman on Sept. 12. That one came down to a 21-20 victory for the Tigers after O’Gorman missed an extra point in the fourth quarter. The Knights used a backup holder on the extra point try because of an injury, which resulted in the miss as the ball failed to meet the tee prior to the kick.
Cue the foreshadowing.
Both at 5-4, coupled with a one-point game in the regular season, this one on paper looks to be the most competitive 11AAA game Thursday.
But so many ow-ies
O’Gorman has been riddled with injuries in 2026. They opened the season with a surprising victory over preseason No. 1 Lincoln. At that point, the Knights were cruising.
But since that game, it’s been a M.A.S.H. unit at the corner of 41st and Kiwanis. The Lincoln game was the only one all season where the Knights rolled out their complete starting lineup.
“We’ve just been banged up the whole year,” O’Gorman head coach Jayson Poppinga said. “We’ve been trying to get the ball to our playmakers, but it’s been shuffle mode.”
O’Gorman quarterback Chace Hermanson has thrown for 2,461 yards and 26 touchdowns this season, but even his status for Thursday is in question. Hermanson injured his hand on a helmet in the season-finale last week against Watertown.
While the Knights are reeling with the injury bug, Harrisburg is as deceptive at 5-4 as a team can get. They’ve lost three of their last four headed into the playoffs, but are actually playing well. Their three losses down the stretch were to No. 3 Brandon Valley, No. 2 Lincoln, and Omaha North.
“We’re actually playing pretty well, we’re just not making plays,” Tigers head coach Brandon White said. “There’s no big, glaring problems. It’s just flat-out making plays. We’ve got kids in the right spot. Hopefully we can get them ready to make plays this week. It’s just the way it’s kind of been going for us right now.”
Harrisburg is sneaky, deep at the line, and playoff tested because of their depth.
“We absolutely believe we can make a run,” White said. “You hope your kids believe it when you talk about it. We show them how close we are, all the time. But you gotta make plays to win.”
What else we're watching:
Cobblers 'bout to get clobbered
No. 1 SF Jefferson (9-0) vs. No. 8 RC Central (1-8)
This one shouldn’t be much of a contest as Jefferson has been the class of the 11AAA field this year. They’ll get a Central team that captured their one-and-only win in the season finale against cross-town rival Stevens last week.
Jefferson enters the game averaging 47.2 points per game. The Cobblers have scored 81 points total this season, and that includes 34 last week against winless Stevens. The Cavaliers are giving up just 14.2 points per game while Central is averaging 9.0 per game on offense.
Patriots (likely) paving right on through
No. 2 Lincoln (7-2) vs. No. 7 SF Washington (2-7)
Lincoln is hot right now, winners of six straight which includes wins over No. 2 Brandon Valley and No. 4 Harrisburg.
The Patriots are riding the arm, and legs, of quarterback Brody Schafer. The senior has been on fire and accounted for five touchdowns last week (three passing, two rushing) in Lincoln’s 21-point win over Harrisburg.
After opening the season with a win over Rapid City Central, Washington lost six in a row before a win over Rapid City Stevens on Oct. 16.
Another likely win for Brandon Valley
No. 3 Brandon Valley (7-2) vs. No. 6 SF Roosevelt (4-5)
This one is a rematch of the season-finale in Brandon last week where the Lynx cruised to a 29-6 win.
Brandon Valley didn’t have starting quarterback Will VanLeur last week against the Rough Riders as the senior was nursing a hamstring injury. His status for Thursday night’s quarterfinal game is unknown.
Starting running back Ryder Mueller has also been nursing an injured left ankle. He played sparingly last week, but still rushed for 165 yards on 20 carries in the win over Roosevelt.
Roosevelt enters the game with four wins on the season, up from just one a year ago.
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Hook & Ladder's menu features a wide range of flavorful, house-made dishes, thoughtfully prepared to satisfy every craving. Find them near Family Park and Fire Station 10 at 323 S Whitewood Cir., or call ahead at (605) 271-0643. Check out their full menu here.
