The 2026 South Dakota high school football season will culminate with the state title games at the DakotaDome in Vermillion from November 12 through 14, bringing together the top teams from each classification for a weekend of high‑stakes competition.
Class‑by‑Class Forecast
In Class 11AAA, the preseason forecasts point to a fierce battle between Sioux Falls Lincoln and Sioux Falls Jefferson, with Lincoln’s quarterback Brody Schafer emerging as the player to watch as he leads a potent offense.
Class 11AA predictions favor Pierre, whose returning stars Jerren Deal and Carter Schiefelbein are expected to drive the team’s attack, giving the Governors a strong chance at the championship.
Class 11A looks set to be dominated by Sioux Falls Christian, whose quarterback Cooper Strande returns to lead a balanced squad, while West Central and Lennox, featuring standout player Drake Mikkelsen, are also positioned as serious contenders.
Other classes feature additional storylines: St. Thomas More aims to advance in Class 11B, while Castlewood’s Kamden Keszler anchors a potent offense in Class 9A, and Wall and St. Mary’s vie for top honors in Class 9B.
Key returning athletes such as Anderson Porisch, who anchors Huron’s defense, and the aforementioned Schafer, Deal, Strande, Mikkelsen and Keszler, are expected to shape the outcomes and could produce several upsets as the season unfolds.