Roosevelt, Washington vying for top spot in South Dakota. But don't count out O'Gorman, Tri-Valley and Dell Rapids.
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1. Roosevelt (Sioux Falls)
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: Kim Nelson
Team previewThe Rough Riders avenged their only loss during the regular season by defeating Washington 31-17 in the Class 11AA state championship game. Roosevelt has won three state titles since 2006, but has won only two league titles since 2003. Coach Kim Nelson returns just one starter on defense and four on offense, but he has a quick, athletic defense led by senior linebacker
John Wessell (6-foot-2, 215 pounds), junior defensive end
Kory Lindquist (6-3, 200) and senior defensive tackle
Chase Potas (6-0, 205). Search for Roosevelt players on our
2011 South Dakota All-League football teams list.
2. Washington (Sioux Falls)
2011 finish: 9-3
Head coach: Tal Farnham
Team previewWinners of the Class 11AA state championship in 2009 and 2010, the Warriors fell short in 2011. However, Washington returns some of the top talent in the state, including defensive back
Nathan Gerry, quarterback
Jon Hander and offensive lineman
Austin Kuhnert. Hander threw for 1,761 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior while Gerry, an All-State pick, had three interceptions and 70 tackles. Kuhnert ranks as one of the state's top offensive linemen. Washington ranked No. 2 in our June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 South Dakota football dynasties.
3. O'Gorman (Sioux Falls)
2011 finish: 8-3
Head coach: Steve Kueter
Team previewA powerhouse in the middle of the last decade when it won six straight league titles and a pair of state crowns, O'Gorman finished in third place in league play last year, but played eventual state champion Roosevelt close in both of their meetings. O'Gorman ranks No. 2 in our list of
South Dakota's Top 10 most consistent football programs.
4. Tri-Valley (Colton)
2011 finish: 12-0
Head coach: Steve Bazata
Team previewThe Mustangs overwhelmed teams by an average of four touchdowns a game en route to winning their third Class 11B state championship in five seasons. Coach Steve Bazata returns eight starters from last year, including starting quarterback
Brett Page (5-10, 160) and running back
Logan Koopman (5-8, 160). Defensive lineman
Dominic Burgraff (6-2, 220) figures to be one of the state's top defensive ends.
5. Dell Rapids
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: Steven Hansen
Team previewAfter suffering a loss to Tri-Valley early in the season, Dell Rapids rattled off eight straight wins to claim the Class 11A state title. The championship was the second in a row for the Quarriers and the third in four seasons.
Cole Langer, the grandson of NFL Hall of Fame center Jim Langer, ranks as one of the state's top linebackers despite missing much of last season with an injury. You can find Dell Rapids listed often on our list of
South Dakota state football champions for the past 10 years.