Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Lincoln Kienholz of
Riggs (Pierre) is the 2022 MaxPreps South Dakota High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior quarterback and safety put up video game numbers while leading the Governors to their sixth-straight Class 11AA state title.
Kienholz finished his senior campaign completing 197 of 296 passes for 3,422 yards and 46 touchdowns – both state records. He completed 66.5 percent of his attempts and only threw six interceptions while also rushing for 1,436 yards and 24 scores.
Defensively, Kienholz played in the secondary and had 12 tackles to go with four interceptions.
Kienholz was named MVP of the 11AA state championship game for the third consecutive year. He completed 14 of 28 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns while tacking on 121 yards and two scores on the ground. He also had an interception in a 35-20 win over Tea.
The Governors became the second team in state history along with West Central (Hartford) from 2000-05 to claim six consecutive state titles.
Kienholz, who is headed to the University of Washington next fall, finished his high school career as the state's all-time leading passer with 9,100 yards. He threw for 104 touchdowns while adding 3,502 yards on the ground and 46 scores.
Also a standout performer in baseball and basketball, Kienholz was one of 16 players to be named to the Class A American Legion baseball all-state team as a junior. He batted .472 with six home runs and went 3-0 with a 1.24 ERA on the mound. He was also a first team selection on the Class AA all-state basketball team after averaging 19.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game as a junior.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released January 10.
Past MaxPreps South Dakota Players of the Year2020 – Tate Johnson, RB, Brandon Valley
2021 – Jacob Knuth, QB, Harrisburg
