Dakota-Dozen-2010

A rough opening week for many

Dakota Dozen

by Bruce Andera (dakotadozen@ksfypigskinpreview.com)

It wasn’t a good week for your pigskin prognosticator last week. Two close calls that went the wrong way and three awful misses left me with my worst opening salvo since starting this column.

So, like several teams last week, it’s back to the drawing board. West Central needs to find a way to stop a passing game, while Aberdeen Roncalli needs to regroup after allowing Cameron Pudwill to rack up 290 yards. Pierre played well, and can probably still win without changing much.

For me, it’s time to regroup, change some things that went completely wrong, and stick to some others that have been proven good in the past. If I can simply step up and take the season one week at a time, my record can be recovered.

The road back starts now, so let’s get to this season’s first full set of twelve:

GAMES OF THE WEEK

1. Sioux Falls Roosevelt (1-0) at Sioux Falls O’Gorman (1-0)

Both teams got out of the starting gate with their guns blazing, torching their respective overmatched opponents last week. This week, they’ll square off in the 32nd edition of the Dakota Bowl. Roosevelt showed another dimension to head coach Kim Nelson’s spread offense and was able to throw the ball a bit better, showcasing both quarterback Scott Tyler’s and receiver Marquese Brooks’ full abilities. Their defense was also quicker to the ball as well.

On the flipside, the Knights showed last Saturday why they’ve been so good for so long. Even with a shorter roster than I’ve normally seen, they were able to ram the football down Aberdeen Central’s throats with fullback Sam Steffl’s hard running. He will be an extremely hard back to take down, while Kelby Tague and Flynn Donelan give the Knights a great outside running game. It’ll be interesting to see if the Knights can successfully defend a downfield passing game, especially a spread offense like the Riders have. Still, it is the Dakota Bowl, a game O’Gorman doesn’t typically lose, I have to take the Knights in this game by a close seven points.

2. Avon (0-0) at Hanson (1-0)

These two rivals hit the field in Alexandria on Friday night. I’ll be there to take this key early-season game. Avon took Hanson to the woodshed last season in this game 30-0, but Hanson got the last laugh, winning the re-match in the state championship game. Both teams have great coaching staffs, as well as incredible schemes and knowledge of the other team. This is the season opener for the Pirates, and will have to stop a team that’s already riding high on a 50-0 win over Marion, and looked like the number one team as they’re ranked. I think Avon will give Hanson a run early, but Hanson’s returning experience will do in the Pirates in the end with a 12-point win.

LEARNING FROM EARLY LOSSES

3. Milbank (0-1) at West Central (0-1)

It's a little hard to believe that either the defending class 11A champions or the perennial state title contenders will be 0-2 after this game Friday night. Milbank got a heavy dose of a balanced Sisseton team last week, while West Central simply didn’t seem to have the overall team speed or the overall confidence that I usually see from the Trojans last week. That needs to change fast for West Central to get back into the mix. Harrisburg may have exposed a problem in the Trojans’ pass defense, something that Bulldogs’ head coach Jeremy Tostenson will no doubt try to exploit. A great question mark in this game is the status of running back Colin Porath, who didn’t play last week against Sisseton. I believe last week was a wake-up call for both teams, but more so for West Central, who should have no real problem winning this game.

4. Tri-Valley (0-1) at Harrisburg (1-0)

Tri-Valley took a few knocks and dropped their opener last week to Canton. The Mustangs better hope their backfield gels better before they get to Harrisburg this week. Harrisburg proved to me last week that their defense is extremely quick and can pick apart an offensive line in short order. As for Harrisburg, Steve Miller carried his team to victory in the second half on both sides of the ball, and Tri-Valley will surely have a spy on Miller throughout this game, as they did last year in this game. If that succeeds this will be a low-scoring game. If not, the Mustangs will be in for a long night. I think either way, Harrisburg will find a way to win this game, and cement the Tigers as major players for the state championship.

IS THE HYPE REAL?

5. McCook Central/Montrose (0-1) at Flandreau (0-0)

The Fighting Cougars picked up where they left off last season – Another in a line of close defeats that could have been won. They did show a very stout defensive unit, however, allowing only nine points. That will need to continue as MCM travels to Flandreau this week. Flandreau brings back another young team, but these players have good starting experience as well. The Fliers primarily play a double wing offense that this season will revolve around fullback Carter Ahlers, but can use their split ends for both running and receiving as well. I believe their defense will prove to be too tough a nut to crack for the Cougars as well, and the Fliers will take an opening-night 20-point win.

6. Dell Rapids St. Mary (0-0) at Deubrook (0-0)

The Cardinals are billed as the team to beat in class 9B this season, with three All-State players back on the field, but not as much depth as they had the past few seasons. Deubrook, on the other hand, was hit hard by injuries the past few seasons and looks like a good team on paper. The problem is that the Dolphins simply have not been able to stand up against the top teams in the Dakota Valley Conference. They do have a big line that could cause the Cardinals problems offensively and should still be able to put together a nice season if they can stay out of injury trouble, but the Cardinals simply have more talent and team speed, and that will win them this game by 18.

7. Canton (1-0) at Dell Rapids (0-0)

Both of these teams are coming off rough seasons, and both teams have high expectations this season. Canton seems to be a team that has a great team about once every 3-4 years, and then spends the rest of the time rebuilding. Such has been the case with the C-Hawks, who won the state title in 2006, went through two losing seasons before finishing up strong last season. Dell Rapids, on the other hand, has more experienced players back this season and looks ready to dominate on both sides of the ball. Canton will do well here and keep this game close, but I believe the Quarriers will come out on top in this game with a 4-point win.

WEST RIVER GAME OF THE WEEK

8. New Underwood (0-0) at Kadoka (0-0)

New Underwood is getting the pre-season press as a team to beat out west in the nine-man ranks, but Kadoka’s ace in the hole in this game is their size advantage, with seven players clearing 200 pounds, and led by quarterback Colter Stout. While that will certainly help the Kougars’ running game and be able to limit the room for New Underwood running back Alex Anderson to carry the ball. Still, I think that the Tigers will be simply too fast for the Kougars’ defense to handle in this game, and New Underwood should be able to win going away in this matchup.

OTHER GAMES OF INTEREST

9. Andes Central (0-0) at Tripp-Delmont/Armour (0-0)

Both teams made great strides last season, and look to do the same this year. Andes Central managed to win four games last season while the Nighthawks won five. Neither made an impact in last season’s playoffs, but both are looking to change that this season. Andes Central is on the right track, and Connor and Colter Florey lead this tough team into Tripp to take on their conference rivals. The big question mark is whether quarterback Adam Fink will be able to play. He was reported hurt as of a week ago with an unspecified injury. Without his arm in this pass-first offense, the Nighthawks might be hard-pressed to move the ball effectively. I do think Andes Central has the ability to win this game, but will give this one to the home team by a close six points.

10. Platte-Geddes/Dakota Christian (1-0) at Bon Homme (1-0)

Ah, the SESD showcases their conference for the first time this season. Games between this quartet of teams are always entertaining to watch, and this game will be of no exception. Both posted good wins in their opening games, with Tad Schuurmans and Jared Van Winkle rolling up 277 rushing yards and four touchdowns for Bon Homme last week. They’ll face a much tougher defense this week. Platte-Geddes/Dakota Christian’s defense threw up a big goose egg on McCook Central/Montrose, and will certainly give the Bon Homme backs problems. Expect a low-scoring game, but I think Bon Homme still walks away with their second victory in a 7-point win.

11. Grant-Deuel (1-0) at Waverly-South Shore (1-0)

Grant-Deuel is a consistently good team for sure, but I’ve had an eye toward the Coyotes since they’ve showed their mettle by winning five games last season. It also showed last week, when they edged Tri-State 22-20, but the Zemlicka brothers (quarterback Taylor and receiver Tyson) connected for 127 passing yards and two of the Coyotes’ three touchdowns in the game. Grant-Deuel wasn’t as dominant as I’ve been used to seeing, but this very young Cougars squad still grinded their way to a 14-8 opening night win over Hamlin. This should be a good game, but the overall experience of the Coyotes team should allow them to win their second game of the season in this one.

12. Sioux Falls Lincoln (1-0) vs. Sioux Falls Washington (1-0)

We close this week’s dozen with this game and the question we posed at the onset of this season – Can anyone beat Washington? Lincoln gave the Warriors their best game all season last year until the title game, especially before Patriots’ quarterback Alex Schultz was injured. Still, the fact that a fake field goal was used to beat Pierre last week, and the Patriots’ defense allowed two big-play rushing touchdowns does not bode well for them in this game. As good as the Warriors were last year, they are very possibly even better this season, giving teams multiple looks and having up to nine players that could be considered All-State players. Unless the Patriots fix their defense quickly, or engage Washington in an offensive firefight, the Warriors will notch their second win and it won’t be close. I don’t think either of the above situations are likely and the Warriors should win this game by at least three touchdowns.

LAST WEEK: 1-5

SEASON: 1-5

DAKOTA DOZEN ARCHIVE:

Sept. 9 - Week 3

Sept. 16 - Week 4