South Dakota Gridiron Report ranks early football title contenders

The South Dakota Gridiron Report released its inaugural pound-for-pound title outlook on September 3, assessing team performance and strength of competition across all classes. Pierre remains the top-ranked 11-man team, supported by a veteran roster of 26 seniors under coach Steve Steele. O'Gorman entered the rankings at number eight following a victory against Sioux Falls Lincoln, while Brandon Valley and SF Jefferson also secured spots in the top 10. In the nine-man divisions, Parkston holds the lead position, with Dell Rapids St. Mary, Freeman, and Wall also cited as notable contenders. Programs including Warner and Sully Buttes maintain early season momentum with undefeated 2-0 records. The report notes that early rankings are subject to change as upcoming head-to-head matchups provide further clarity on class hierarchies.

• 2:33 PMYahoo Sports — South Dakota Gridiron Report: Sizing up pound-for-pound state football title contenders