Football Game Preview: Hot Springs Bison vs. Custer Wildcats

The Hot Springs Bison will head out to take on the Custer Wildcats at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Hot Springs will be looking to extend their current three-game winning streak.

On Friday, Hot Springs was able to grind out a solid victory over Rapid City Christian, taking the game 31-20.

Grant Heil

Rushing Yards (Career)

09/26/25 vs Rapid City Christian	111
08/29/25 @ Miller/Highmore/Harrold	31
09/12/25 @ Lead-Deadwood	29
09/05/25 vs Wagner	28
09/20/24 vs Lakota Tech	15

Grant Heil was nothing short of spectacular: he rushed for 111 yards and one TD on only 11 carries, and also threw for 13 yards and one touchdown. Those 111 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Connor Kramer was in the mix too, providing Hot Springs with two scores.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Hot Springs was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 269 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 200 rushing yards in five consecutive matchups.

Hot Springs didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. It was truly a group effort as Jaydon WhiteFace, Jaydon Koffler, and Kramer picked up one apiece.

Meanwhile, the third road contest was the charm for Custer, as they earned their first away win of the season. They won a game that couldn't have been any closer, slipping by Lead-Deadwood 19-18. The victory continues a trend for the Wildcats in their matchups with the Golddiggers: they've now won three in a row.

The win got Hot Springs back to even at 3-3. As for Custer, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-4.

Everything came up roses for Hot Springs against Custer in their previous matchup back in October of 2024, as the squad secured a 48-21 win. In that matchup, the Bison amassed a halftime lead of 27-7, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Friday.