Less than a week away from the first high school football games of the 2020 season, the South Dakota Prep Media preseason poll has been released.
Pierre (11AA), Viborg-Hurley (9AA) and Canistota/Freeman (9A) are unanimous selections at #1. All three teams are defending state champions in their respective classes.
The Mitchell Kernels (5-6 in 2019) came in third in the initial 11AA poll. The Kernels open the season next Friday, August 28 at Douglas.
The defending champion in 11B, Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan, comes in second, behind #1 Winner. The Seahawks open the season this Friday, August 21, at Wagner.
Class 11AAA
1. Roosevelt (15) 86
2. Brandon Valley (2) 67
3. O’Gorman (1) 55
4. Harrisburg 29
5. Washington 26
Receiving votes: Lincoln 6, Watertown 1
Class 11AA
1. Pierre (18) 90
2. Yankton 60
3. Mitchell 50
4. Huron 38
5. Brookings 20
Receiving votes: Sturgis 7, Douglas 5.
Class 11A
1. Canton (13) 81
2. Tea Area (3) 68
3. Dell Rapids (2) 58
4. West Central 29
5. Dakota Valley 19
Receiving votes: Madison 7, Lennox 6, Sioux Falls Christian 2.
Class 11B
1. Winner (14) 82
2. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (4) 75
3. McCook Central/Montrose 37
4. Sioux Valley 33
5. St. Thomas More 29
Receiving votes: Webster Area 7, Elk Point-Jefferson 4, Mobridge-Pollock 3.
Class 9AA
1. Viborg-Hurley (18) 90
T-2. Bon Homme 56
T-2. Lemmon/McIntosh 56
4. Deuel 38
5. Hamlin 12
Receiving votes: Platte-Geddes 9, Baltic 7, Arlington/Lake Preston 2.
Class 9A
1. Canistota/Freeman (18) 90
2. Howard 64
3. Gregory 42
4. De Smet 35
5. Sully Buttes 19
Receiving votes: Warner 11, Britton-Hecla 7, Wall 1, Burke 1.
Class 9B
1. Wolsey-Wessington (10) 77
2. Colman-Egan (6) 72
3. Dell Rapids St. Mary (1) 51
4. Langford Area 29
5. Harding County (1) 18
Receiving votes: Alcester-Hudson 15, Herreid/Selby Area 7, Corsica-Stickney 1.