Semifinalists Compete for Dakota Dome Berths in Final Friday
Seventeen high school football games across South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota determine which teams advance to state and regional titles.
By Robert Marshall ·
The 2026 high school football season enters its decisive phase as 17 teams compete for spots in championship games. The slate includes state semifinals for seven classes in South Dakota, conference title games, and playoff matches in neighboring states.
The season began with standard regular-season play. Teams then advanced through earlier playoff rounds to reach the current stage. The week concludes with these final matchups.
Tonight's schedule features 16 games across three states. In South Dakota, the All Nations Conference holds its Class A title game at the Dakota Dome. Todd County, the number one seed, faces Winnebago, the number two seed.
State semifinal action includes four matchups in the 11-person divisions. In 11AAA, number four Harrisburg hosts number one Sioux Falls Jefferson. In the same division, number three Brandon Valley plays number two Sioux Falls Lincoln. In 11AA, number five Sturgis travels to number one Pierre. Meanwhile, Watertown faces number two Yankton.
Additional 11-person games see Dell Rapids host Sioux Falls Christian in 11A, while Lennox plays West Central in the same division. In 11B, winner of a prior game faces EPJ, and Clark/Willow Lake hosts St. Thomas More.
Nine-person division semifinals include Platte-Geddes hosting Hamlin in 9AA, Castlewood facing Freeman in 9A, Avon playing Wall in 9B, and Warner hosting DRSM. Iowa Class 2A quarterfinals feature OABCIG traveling to Central Lyon-GLR. Minnesota section championships include Hills-Beaver Creel against Edgerton in 9-man play and Minneota versus Dawson-Boyd in 1A.
