By Bob Bakken
MaxPreps.com
Among the football signings of South Dakota high school players this week came several who chose to stay close to home and play for the state’s Division I schools, the University of South Dakota in Vermillion and South Dakota State in Brookings.
The University of South Dakota signed Avon star Earv Archambeau, who rushed for 4,670 yards and 70 touchdowns in his career with the Pirates. He was named a Class 9-A All-State selection this past season.
Another South Dakotan signed by the Coyotes was Pierre quarterback Kyle Chicos, who was a three-year starter for the Governors. Chicos missed several games last fall with an injury, but gained 1,500 passing yards, 500 rushing yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a junior.
South Dakota collected a defensive end from Sioux Falls Washington in Nick Franken, who played a large role in the Warriors second-place finish in Class 11-AA. The two-year starter was a conference honorable mention selection.
Franken’s teammate, tight end Quinten McMartin, will also be a Coyote. McMartin was named to the Class 11-AA All-State first team.
Two Sioux Falls O’Gorman teammates are coming to USD, defensive lineman Mike Pharis and wide receiver Will Powell.
Pharis is an all-state choice who caught 26 passes for over 650 yards while rushing for over 640 yards.
Up the interstate in Brookings, South Dakota State inked 18 players, including Brandon Valley defensive lineman Chase Douglas, who was a two-time All-ESD Conference selection. The three-year letterwinner was an all-state choice, making 25 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
The Jackrabbits picked up a couple from their own backyard, including Brookings offensive lineman Alex Parker, who was an all-state selection last fall.
Another Brookings choice for South Dakota State was running back Mason Winterboer, who carried for 26 touchdowns and nearly 2,500 yards in his final two years for the Bobcats. He was an all-state choice as a senior and his 1,693 yards last fall set a school record.
Sioux Falls Roosevelt linebacker Jake Weiss also chose to play for the Jackrabbits. Weiss was on state championship teams as a sophomore and junior, and was selected to play in the state all-star game and was nominated to play in the Army All-American Bowl.
South Dakotans who signed with other schools as the signing period began included Bennett Count safety and fullback Clint Sasse and defensive end D.J. Toczek.
Sasse rushed for 1,275 yards and 15 touchdowns. He added 15 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns last season. Toczek was a stalwart of defense for a team that allowed just 42 points in ten victories last season. He’s a four-year starter and three-time all-conference choice.
One of the top nine-man football lineman in South Dakota has decided to head to North Dakota for his college football career. Parker’s Darren DeNeui was a three-year starter for the Pheasants, including a state Class 9-AA championship team as a sophomore. This fall, DeNeui was named to the 9-AA all-State team and also won all-conference honors.
Boys Basketball: Aberdeen holds fff Spearfish with gifters
Free throws were the difference in last Saturday’s victory for Aberdeen Central over Spearfish. The Golden Eagles beat their West River rivals 70-69, as Tyler Severson made two free throws in the final five seconds to seal the win.
“Good teams win games when they don't play well, and we didn't play very well, especially in that first quarter," Golden Eagle head coach Brent Norberg told the Aberdeen American News. "And give Spearfish a lot of credit because they played great. And to beat a team that is playing really well, you have to feel good about your kids.”
Spearfish controlled the game through the first 28 minutes, until Andrew Janish gave Central a one-point lead. The game went back and forth after that until Severson’s game-winning gift shots.
Aberdeen Central goes back to ESD Conference play this weekend, playing Yankton on Saturday. Spearfish hosts Huron Friday and Mitchell on Saturday.
