Two Top Teams in South Dakota Play at Howard Wood Field

No matter what way you want to set up the game the fact is two of the top teams in South Dakota will play tonight.

Sioux Falls Washington is back to the friendly confines of home after traveling to Rapid City Central last week and securing a 63-7 win. The starters from Washington were pulled after just one quarter after having a 35-0 lead. We have Washington ranked second in Class 11AAA behind Sioux Falls Roosevelt.

Following the loss to Lincoln earlier in the season, head coach Chad Stadem told me that game wasn't a reflection of his football team. Stadem said that his team needed that little wake-up-call and it has shown. Since that game, Washington has outscored Yankton, O'Gorman, and Rapid City Central 144-49. Offensively the team has found a nice balance of pass and run between Jack Schelhaas and Chayden Fitzsimmons. They'll look to continue to capitalize on that tonight.

Their opponent tonight is from Class 11AA, but don't let the class determine anything. The Pierre Governors are 5-0 on the season and are ranked first in our ESPN 99.1 Class AA poll. I would even contend that they are the fourth best team in the state behind Roosevelt, Washington, and O'Gorman. They are coming off a 31-0 win against Yankton, and have also defeated one other Class 11AAA team this season.

Playmakers such as Brevin Kaiser lead the way for Pierre. Kaiser is in his senior year and plays both quarterback and defensive back. He has passed for 910 yards this season with six touchdowns to four interceptions. Kaiser also is the team's leading rusher with 312 yards and 4 touchdowns.

He will look to his options in the passing game including Erin Severyn (WR), and tight end Joseph King. Up front Pierre is pretty strong led in part by senior lineman Austin Kelly.

Tonight's game is a special 6:00 start. Jerry Palleschi will have the call for ESPN 99.1.