The preseason South Dakota Prep Media Football Poll is listed below, ranking the top-five teams and points received. First-place votes are listed in parentheses.
Class 11AAA
Neither state title teams from last year, SF Jefferson and Harrisburg, are preseason #1 as SF Lincoln takes the top spot with nine first-place votes.
1. Lincoln (9) 66
2. Harrisburg (5) 62
3. Brandon Valley (1) 49
4. Jefferson (1) 37
5. O’Gorman 24
Receiving votes: Stevens 1, Roosevelt 1.
Class 11AA
Pierre looks for a state record seventh consecutive 11AA state title and are preseason #1.
1. Pierre (14) 78
2. Tea Area (2) 64
3. Yankton 44
4. Brookings 24
5. Aberdeen Central 20
Receiving votes: Watertown 9, Spearfish 1.
Class 11A
2022 State Champ Dell Rapids finishes ahead of runner-up West Central in the 11A preseason poll.
1. Dell Rapids (14) 78
2. West Central 46
3. Sioux Falls Christian (1) 45
4. Canton (1) 42
5. Dakota Valley 16
Receiving votes: Madison 12, Lennox 1.
Class 11B
After upsetting #1 Winner in last year’s 11B title game, Elk Point-Jefferson comes in at #2 in this year’s preseason poll.
1. Winner (14) 78
2. Elk Point-Jefferson (2) 58
3. Sioux Valley 39
4. McCook Central/Montrose 24
5. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 23
Receiving votes: Hot Springs 13, Deuel 4, Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central 1.
Class 9AA
After an undefeated 2022 regular season, the Howard Tigers find themselves are they preseason #1, just ahead of last year state champion Wall.
1. Howard (12) 73
2. Wall (3) 59
3. Parkston 50
4. Hamlin (1) 39
5. Bon Homme 9
Receiving votes: Elkton-Lake Benton 5, Hanson 5.
Class 9A
Last year’s 9A finalists, Gregory and Warner, claim the top two spots in the 2023 preseason poll
1. Gregory (15) 79
2. Warner (1) 53
3. Wolsey-Wessington 46
4. Castlewood 31
5. Canistota 18
Receiving votes: Harding County/Bison 9, Philip 2, Lyman 2.
Class 9B
Last year’s 9B Champions, Hitchcock-Tulare, claim the top spot with 12 of 16 first place votes. The Patriots defeated Herreid/Selby Area 50-28.
1. Hitchcock-Tulare (12) 70
2. De Smet (4) 54
3. Herreid/Selby Area 50
4. Dell Rapids St. Mary 24
5. Faulkton Area 22
Receiving votes: Corsica-Stickney 15, Sully Buttes 3, Kadoka Area 1, Avon 1.