On August 31, the South Dakota Prep Media football polls revealed a significant shift in the rankings, particularly in the Class 11AAA category. Following a thrilling matchup that saw then-No. 5 O'Gorman defeat the previously top-ranked Sioux Falls Lincoln 42-35, Brandon Valley has ascended to the No. 1 position in this week’s rankings.
The Lynx, who previously held the No. 2 spot, garnered 13 out of 19 first-place votes in the poll. Their victory over Bellevue West (Nebraska) with a score of 10-7 on Friday night contributed to their rise. Meanwhile, Sioux Falls Jefferson, which secured a convincing 43-20 win against then-No. 4 Harrisburg, moved into the No. 2 position, receiving four first-place votes. O'Gorman, now ranked third, received two first-place votes following their impressive win. Sioux Falls Lincoln dropped to fourth place, while Sioux Falls Washington rounded out the top five after a 28-0 victory over Rapid City Central.
This week’s rankings set the stage for an exciting matchup between No. 3 O'Gorman and No. 1 Brandon Valley, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, during the Lynx's annual Pigskin Classic. This game is anticipated to be a significant event in Class 11AAA, as both teams look to solidify their standings early in the season.
In the Class 11AA rankings, Yankton and Tea Area both moved up one spot to No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, following Tea Area's victory over former No. 2 Huron. Watertown's triumph over Spearfish allowed them to enter the rankings at No. 4, while Huron maintained a spot in the top five at No. 5 despite their recent loss.
Class 11A saw some movement as well, with Sioux Falls Christian and Dell Rapids taking the top two spots after their respective wins. Lennox fell to No. 4, while Madison held steady at No. 5. In Class 11B, Clark/Willow Lake climbed into the No. 5 position after starting the season with a 2-0 record, highlighted by a victory over previously ranked Sioux Valley.
The Class 9A rankings featured Lyman and Centerville, both of which are off to strong starts at 2-0. Lyman is now ranked No. 4, while Centerville made its debut in the rankings at No. 5. Meanwhile, the Class 9B standings remained unchanged this week.
The South Dakota Prep Media football polls, released on August 31, provide a comprehensive look at the top five teams in each class, along with their records and total points. The rankings reflect the competitive nature of South Dakota high school football as teams strive for success in the early weeks of the season.
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