South Dakota
Area unbeatens Bucks, Phoenix and Avon fighting for top seeds in football playoffs
One weeks remains in the South Dakota high school regular season for Class 11B and the three nine-man divisions, with final postseason positioning on the line across the region come Friday night.
From undefeated squads aiming to secure top seeds and home-field advantage to teams looking to make a late push into the 16-team playoff fields, the area has programs facing many different circumstances this week.
Here’s a look at where every Mitchell-area team stands ahead of this week’s regular-season finales.
Battling for a spot at the top of the crowded standings is unbeaten Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central (7-0). The Bucks are one of three undefeated teams remaining in the class, not to mention three more one-loss squads. WWSSC is currently tied with one-loss Clark/Willow Lake for No. 3, while the other two unbeatens, Elk Point-Jefferson and St. Thomas More, are tied for first.
The last step toward the postseason isn’t an easy one for the Bucks, who host a Mount Vernon/Plankinton squad on Friday that has played several top teams close and is gaining momentum behind a two-game win streak.
Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
Not far behind, Wagner (5-2) enters the final week of the regular season at No. 5 in the standings. The Red Raiders are the top two-loss team due to a strength of schedule that ranks in the top eight of the class. With an idle date last week to regroup from losses to WWSSC and EPJ, Wagner looks to get back on track before the playoffs by hosting one-win Miller/Highmore-Harrold on Friday.
Having faced the most difficult schedule in the class with an opponent win percentage of .678, Mount Vernon/Plankinton (3-4) stands at No. 10. The Titans could still have a shot at a top-eight seed and a home game by pairing an upset win over WWSSC with losses by a couple of teams directly in front of them, such as No. 9 Parker, No. 8 Mobridge-Pollock and No. 7 Sioux Valley.
Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
Right behind MVP is a trio of area teams with eight games already in the books. Chamberlain (4-4) and Winner (4-4) are tied at No. 11 in the standings, and both accepted the challenge of playing a ninth regular-season game. That happens to be one contest, as the Cubs visit the Warriors on Friday. McCook Central/Montrose (5-3) is currently in line for the 13-seed but awaits its final positioning.
With work to do in its final game in order to qualify for the postseason, Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (2-5) is tied with Beresford at No. 17, currently on the outside looking in at the 16-team field. Needing a win, the Seahawks host Parker on Friday. If BEE and Beresford remain tied for a playoff spot after Friday, the Watchdogs have the tiebreaker due to their 21-20 head-to-head win on Sept. 12.
Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
Standing tall atop the class is Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (7-0). Despite playing the most difficult schedule in the class, with an opponent win percentage of .614, the Phoenix have won by an average of more than 34 points per game. With a cushion of more than 2.5 seed points over Hamlin and Parkston, which are tied at No. 2, FMFA appears to be locked into home-field advantage throughout its playoff run regardless of its final outcome. The Phoenix host Class 9B power Avon in the Great Plains Conference title game on Friday.
Since running into FMFA on opening night, Parkston (6-1) has rattled off six-straight wins and could possibly earn a top-two seed of its own with a win and a Hamlin loss this week. The Trojans host Gregory in the regular-season finale on Friday.
Bon Homme (6-2) moved up to No. 5, with its two losses coming against FMFA and Parkston. The Cavaliers have already played their eight regular-season games and are idle this week.
Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic
Kimball/White Lake (4-3) has recovered from a three-game mid-season skid to put itself at No. 8 in position for a first-round home game. Three teams — Viborg-Hurley, Gregory and Scotland/Menno — are within one seed point of the Wildkats entering this week. KWL plays winless Wolsey-Wessington in Huron on Friday.
Gregory (4-3) and Scotland/Menno (4-3) are tied at No. 10, and Hanson (3-4) is right behind at No. 12. Between the trio, the highest seeding could come down to whether those teams can pick up a road win this week. On Friday, Gregory heads to Parkston, Scotland/Menno is at Alcester-Hudson and Hanson visits Canistota.
Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota Christian (1-6) picked up its first win of the season last week, but at No. 20, will need another this week in order to make the postseason. The Nighthawks hit the road to play Class 9A Gayville-Volin on Friday.
Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic
Defending state champion Howard (6-1) figures to be right back in contention for a deep postseason run, though the Tigers enter the final week at No. 6 in the standings. The Tigers’ one loss came in the season opener to the team immediately ahead of them, Alcester-Hudson. In the top four slots are unbeatens Wall and Warner, followed by one-loss squads Philip and Ipswich. Howard hosts Class 9AA Viborg-Hurley on Friday.
Platte-Geddes (6-2) is right behind Howard at No. 7, slipping slightly after a 6-0 start. However, both losses game to top-five Class 9AA teams in Parkston and Bon Homme. The Black Panthers have a ninth regular-season game on the schedule, helping fill out the Great Plains Conference crossover with a home date against Corsica-Stickney on Friday.
Lurking outside of the top eight, Lyman (4-3) has played the sixth-most difficult schedule in the class and rests at No. 10. In the tussle for positioning, the Raiders are trying to fend off Harding County/Bison, Centerville and Estelline/Hendricks, who are within one-half point of Lyman entering the week. The Raiders host Wall, the No. 1 team in the class, on Friday.
Mitchell Republic file photo
One of two undefeated squads in the class left standing, Avon (7-0) and Dell Rapids St. Mary have distanced themselves from the field. No. 1 DRSM has a lead of just under one-half point on the No. 2 Pirates, who are more than three points clear of No. 3 Faulkton Area. As such, Avon has all but secured a top-two seed in the playoffs, regardless of the outcome in the regular-season finale. The Pirates visit Class 9AA No. 1 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy on Friday.
Right on the tipping point between staying at home and going on the road in the first round, Corsica-Stickney (5-2) is tied at No. 8 with Iroquois/Lake Preston. The Jaguars are on the road at Class 9A Platte-Geddes on Friday.
Comfortably in the playoff field but angling to move up by getting to .500, Canistota (3-4) checks in at No. 11, and Burke (3-4) is tied at No. 12 with Arlington. The Hawks play host to Class 9AA Hanson, while the Cougars visit Centerville on Friday.
One of five winless teams in the class, Colome (0-7) is at the bottom of the standings. The Cowboys visit also winless Irene-Wakonda on Friday.
Dierks covers prep and collegiate athletics across the Mitchell Republic’s coverage region area. His focus areas include: Mitchell High School football and boys basketball; area high school football, volleyball, basketball, baseball and track and field; and South Dakota State football. He is also at the forefront of the Mitchell Republic’s podcasting efforts. Dierks is a Mitchell native who graduated from South Dakota State University with his bachelor’s degree in journalism in May 2020. He joined the Mitchell Republic sports staff in August 2021. He can be reached at ldierks@mitchellrepublic.com and found on Twitter at @LDierksy.
Norma Lindell, 93, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. Visitation will be Saturday, July 18, from 1-4:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Howard, SD.
NormaJean Marie (Callies) Lindell was born in Mitchell, SD, on April 18, 1932, to Peter C. and Norma A. (Killeaney) Christensen. She was the oldest daughter, along with her younger brother James N. Christensen. She lost her mother when she was eleven and helped her father raise her 2-year younger brother, Jimmy. Her grandmother also helped her dad raise her and her brother. Norma grew up in Howard, SD, and married Ira Callies. To this union were born four sons.
Norma liked working with people and eventually owned her own restaurant business in Howard. Previous to that, she worked for many years in the Black Hills area, where she managed a campground and worked at the well-known Chute Rooster in Hill City. After returning to Howard, she met and married Clyde Lindell of Milaca, Minnesota. Following his death in 1986, she moved back to South Dakota and lived in Centerville, Madison, and finally Mitchell until her death.
She was proud of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She loved music and dancing. Her father taught her how to dance, and they attended many dances throughout the area.
Norma is survived by her sons: Byron (Kaelyn) Callies of Watertown, SD, Lonnie (Susan) Callies of Mitchell, SD, and Dana (Deb) Callies of South Venice, Florida, along with many generations of grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father, brother Jimmy, and son Dale.
Celebrate a life with the whole community in The Dakota Scout. Contact obits@thedakotascout.com to have your loved one remembered today.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing
04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
GUTHRIE, Okla. — Hadley Peppel and Team South Dakota had a strong showing at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo, which ran from June 21-27 at the Lazy E Arena.
Peppel, who hails from Herrick, was the winner in the bareback riding short-go on Saturday and finished second in the aggregate over three runs, finishing with 192 points and earning $870.71. Jace Wild Green, of Dexter, New Mexico, was the aggregate champion with a score of 198 and claiming $1,160.95.
Peppel was first in the short-go with 67 points and Wild Green was second with 62 points. Wild Green won both of the first two performances during the week, scoring 73- and 63-point rides, respectively. Peppel also took fourth in the first-go with a ride of 66 points.
In boys goat tying, Henry’s Ace Lammers finished as the champion with a total time of 27.99 seconds, powered by a first-place effort in the short-go (8.28 seconds). Lammers earned $1,608.53, plus another $618.66 for the short-go.
Powered by Lammers and Peppel, South Dakota’s boys participants finished third as a team with 4,525 points, only behind Texas (7,080) and Utah (6,585). Overall, South Dakota finished fourth in the team standings with 5,865 points, which was won by Texas (10.208.33), followed by Utah (7,780) and Oklahoma (7,520) and South Dakota. The South Dakota girls participants were fifth in the girls team standings with 1,920 points.
In the second-go of the ribbon roping event, a pair of South Dakota teams fared well. Colome’s Jakob Heath and Miller’s Grace Saiegna had the second-best time in 7.64 seconds, earning $1,497.02. Salenga was also sixth in the all-around cowgirl final standings, scoring 670 points. Wessington Springs’ Wyatt Fagerhaug and Buffalo’s Tommi Holmes teamed up to finish fourth in their ribbon roping performance in a time of 7.87 seconds, earning $953.63.
In barrel racing, Fort Pierre’s Emry Dowling took third in the aggregate timing with a time of 45.51 seconds, good for $1,201.43. Hadlee Landers, of Lawton, Oklahoma, won with a time of 44.514 seconds won the overall title, with Williams, Arizona’s Crosslyn Vest taking second (45.22 seconds). Dowling was also third-fastest in the short-go finals (15.031 seconds), which earned her $462.09, and she was fourth in the first-go (15.193 seconds).
Valentine, Nebraska’s Talon Scheer, who competed for Team South Dakota, had top-10 performances in the girls breakaway and goat tying in the first round of performances, taking fifth in the breakaway and 10th in the goat tying.
In the light rifle shooting competition, Ruger Pelster, of Harrison, Neb., finished third with a three-event score of 327 targets. Chisum Pelster was 11th (312 targets) and Grace Gesinger, of White River, was 13th (307 targets) in the finals.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “Mitchell Republic.” Often, the “Mitchell Republic” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
-
Indianapolis, IN5 minutes agoState police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks
-
Pittsburg, PA8 minutes agoTech community to Shapiro and Pennsylvania legislators: Wait on data center rules
-
Augusta, GA13 minutes ago
Louise Franklin Sheehan Obituary Jun 26, 2026 – Platt’s Funeral Home
-
Washington, D.C20 minutes ago
DC will pay $50,000 to man detained while protesting guard patrol with ‘Star Wars’ song, record says
-
Cleveland, OH23 minutes agoCleveland Browns Legend Set for Induction into Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame
-
Austin, TX28 minutes agoJuly 4th: CapMetro to waive evening fares
-
Alabama35 minutes agoAre fireworks legal in Alabama? 7 explosives that might be allowed
-
Alaska38 minutes agoJesuits say goodbye to Alaska at Bethel ceremony
