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Kernel Gameday: Mitchell football plays host to Class 11AAA No. 1 Sioux Falls Jefferson on homecoming

Landon Dierks, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·3 min read

Sep. 22—MITCHELL — A challenging first half of the season for the Mitchell High School football team culminates Friday, as the Kernels host Sioux Falls Jefferson, the top-ranked team from Class 11AAA, on homecoming. Here's what to know ahead of the contest:

When:

7 p.m. Friday

Where:

Joe Quintal Field

Records:

Mitchell 1-3; Sioux Falls Jefferson 4-0.

Last meeting:

Mitchell and Jefferson have never met on the gridiron before, as the Cavaliers' program is only in its second year of existence.

Last week:

Mitchell struggled with turnovers in a 27-13 road defeat to Aberdeen Central, while Jefferson rolled to a 49-8 win over Rapid City Central.

Notes:

The Kernels fell out of the top five but still received two votes in the most recent Class 11AA media poll. Jefferson, meanwhile, has been the top-ranked team in Class 11AAA since Aug. 29, with the Cavaliers currently standing as the unanimous No. 1 and lone undefeated team in the class.

About the Kernels:

* Mitchell has faced several Class 11AAA opponents since the largest classification's formation in 2013, including at least once per season from 2013 to 2018. The Kernels' record in those contests is 5-6, with all five wins coming consecutively between 2015 and 2017 and three victories over Watertown, which has since returned to Class 11AA. Mitchell has lost its last four games against Class 11AAA teams dating back to 2017, the most recent being a 54-0 home loss to eventual state runner-up Brandon Valley last season.

* After giving the ball away just once in the first two games, Mitchell has turned the ball over nine times in the past eight quarters and will look to reverse that trend against an opportunistic Jefferson defense that has forced three turnovers in each of the past two games.

* The Kernels' passing attack has shown tremendous growth since last season, evidenced by Treyson Schulz's three-straight 100-plus-yard passing efforts and the emergence of receiver A.J. Siemsen. Mitchell will likely look to the air once again in order to move the ball against a Cavaliers defense allowing a scant 28.5 yards per game on the ground.

About the Cavaliers:

* Experience has aided Sioux Falls Jefferson's fast ascent to the summit of Class 11AAA. The Cavaliers entered the 2022 season having returned all 22 starters between the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, a true rarity in high school football.

* Sioux Falls Jefferson's offense has a case to be the best unit in the state. The Cavaliers have scored at least 30 points in every game and at least 43 in three of four. Jefferson hasn't played a game closer than three scores (17 points) yet this season on the way to outscoring opponents by more than 34 points per game, the second-best margin across the two largest classes, trailing only Pierre.

* The high-powered attack has racked up 1,438 yards — 892 passing and 546 rushing — at a rate of better than 7 yards per play. Jefferson is most prolific through the air with Taylen Ashley and Griffin Wilde comprising perhaps the best quarterback-receiver duo in South Dakota. Ashley has completed 69% of his passes for 778 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions, with 18 passes going to Wilde for 416 yards and four scores.

* A stout defense has backed up the dynamic offense, with the Cavaliers allowing just 192 yards per game to their opponents. Jefferson has forced nine turnovers, and junior linebacker Dawson Sechser is responsible for three of them. Sechser has forced a fumble and intercepted two passes, returning both for touchdowns in the span of three snaps against Sioux Falls Washington.

Next:

Mitchell makes its longest road trip of the season for a matchup with Spearfish at Lyle Hare Stadium on Sept. 30. Sioux Falls Jefferson returns to Class 11AAA play for a clash with No. 2-ranked O'Gorman, also on Sept. 30.