Travis Kriens, KORN News Radio Sports Director
The 2025 South Dakota Class 9A football playoffs kick off this Thursday.
Wall (8-0) Leads the Pack
The No. 1 seed Wall enters the playoffs as the team to beat. Averaging an impressive 55 points per game, the Eagles have been a juggernaut on both sides of the ball. Their defense has been nearly impenetrable, posting five shutouts and allowing only 32 points all season, with 20 of those coming in one game against Harding County/Bison. Wall will face No. 16 Lemmon/McIntosh (3-5) in the opening round. With home-field advantage and their high-scoring offense, Wall is poised for a deep run.
Warner (8-0) Looks to Return to the Dome
The No. 2 seed, Warner, is another undefeated team to watch. Last year, the Monarchs lost to Howard 40-13 in the state title game, and they’ve come out strong this season with a 45 seed points average. Warner will face No. 15 Timber Lake (3-5) in the opening round. With a balanced attack and a solid defense, Warner looks ready to repeat their success and challenge for another championship.
Top Offenses & Tight Matchups
Both Castlewood (7-1) and Ipswich (7-1) have put up 43 points per game this season, ranking just behind Wall in scoring. Ipswich, seeded No. 5, will square off against No. 12 Harding County/Bison (5-3). Castlewood, seeded No. 8, will face No. 9 Dupree (6-2) in a matchup of two high-scoring offenses. Castlewood’s potent attack, combined with a solid defense, makes them a tough opponent for Dupree, who will have to match the pace to stay competitive.
The Howard Factor
No. 7 Howard (6-2) has proven to be one of the top teams in the state, winning last year’s championship vs. Warner 40-13. The Tigers will face No. 10 Centerville (5-3) in the first round. They’ll be looking to make another run at the state title.
Platte-Geddes: A Team on the Rise
Perhaps the most surprising team in the bracket, No. 6 Platte-Geddes (7-2) has bounced back after a 3-6 record last season. After starting the season 6-0, the Black Panthers hit a rough patch with losses to Parkston and Bon Homme, but they rebounded with a 28-22 victory over Corsica Stickney in the regular season finale. Platte-Geddes will face No. 11 Lyman (4-4) in the opening round, with a chance to prove that their early success wasn’t just a fluke.
The Underdogs
In last year’s postseason, Dupree (No. 12 seed) made a stunning run, knocking off No. 5 Harding County/Dupree in the opening round and advancing further than expected. This year, the 6-2 team will look to make another playoff push, facing a tough Castlewood squad in the first round.
What’s at Stake
Winners from Thursday’s games advance to the quarterfinals next Thursday, October 30. The 2025 Class 9A state championship will be held at the DakotaDome in Vermillion on Friday, November 14 at 10 am.