The first South Dakota High School Football Power Poll of the 2026 season has been released, providing an early look at how media members across the state view the top teams entering the new campaign.
The preseason rankings are determined by votes from sports broadcasters, journalists, and other media representatives from throughout South Dakota.
Among the local teams receiving recognition, Sturgis opens the season ranked No. 4 in Class 11AA after advancing to the state semifinals last season. Spearfish, not ranked in the top five, received three votes in the initial poll. In the nine-man ranks, Wall claims the top spot in Class 9B after capturing the Class 9A state championship a year ago and making the move into a new classification. Hill City also makes its power poll debut in the 9AA ranks at No. 4.
With Week 1 action beginning this weekend for Class 11B and all three nine-man classifications, the release of the preseason poll signals the official start of another highly anticipated high school football season across the state.
The complete South Dakota High School Football Power Poll is listed below.
11AAA
1. Sioux Falls Lincoln (7)
2. Brandon Valley (5)
3. Sioux Falls Jefferson (1)
4. Harrisburg
5. O’Gorman
Receiving Votes: Sioux Falls Roosevelt (1) 1, Sioux Falls Washington 1, Rapid City Central 1
11AA
1. Pierre T.F. Riggs (12)
2. Yankton (2)
3. Huron
4. Sturgis Brown
5. Watertown
Receiving Votes: Tea Area 9, Spearfish 3, Brookings 1
11A
1. Sioux Falls Christian (14)
2. Lennox
3. Dell Rapids
4. West Central
5. Madison
Receiving Votes: Canton 2, Dakota Valley 1, Milbank 1, Tri-Valley 1
11B
1. Elk Point-Jefferson (7)
2. St. Thomas More (6)
3. Clark/Willow Lake
4. Deuel (1)
5. Winner
Receiving Votes: Sioux Valley 5, Mobridge-Pollock 4, Wagner 2, Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central 2, Rapid City Christian 2, Mt. Vernon/Plankinton 1, Hot Springs 1
9AA
1. Parkston (8)
2. Hamlin (2)
3. Britton-Hecla
4. Hill City
5. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (2)
Receiving Votes: Hanson 4, Viborg-Hurley (1) 3, Platte-Geddes 3, Florence/Henry (1) 1, Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota Christian 2, Garretson 1, Sioux Falls Lutheran 1, Gregory 1, Stanley County 1
9A
1. Howard (6)
2. Freeman (4)
3. Alcester-Hudson (1)
4. Elkton-Lake Benton
5. Ipswich (1)
Receiving Votes: Philip 5, Castlewood (2) 4, Kimball/White Lake 4, Sully Buttes 3, Canistota 2, Harding County/Bison 2, Faulkton Area 2, Timber Lake 1, Corsica-Stickney 1
9B
1. Wall (10)
2. St. Mary’s (4)
3. Avon
4. Warner
5. Colman-Egan
Receiving Votes: Herreid/Selby Area 4, Leola/Frederick Area 1, Kadoka Area 1, Jones County 1, Northwestern 1, Deubrook Area 1
KDSJ Sports will continue to publish the latest football poll throughout the season. KDSJ Sports broadcasters Claysen Davis and Cody Oliver are among the statewide voters contributing to the rankings.
