Toland: Picks take tumble in semis

By Roger Toland, Journal Sports Writer | Thursday, November 09, 2006

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Something went awry on the way to the DakotaDome, not only for some high school football teams but also for yours truly.

In a couple of major surprises, Colome knocked off unbeaten Harding County in Class 11B, Canton topped Winner in Class 11A. The "not-so-surprising" list included Scotland's victory over Northwestern in Class 9A and Elkton's victory over Eureka-Bowdle in a battle of unbeatens in Class 9AA. Parker's triumph against Gregory in "9AA" was a toss-up.

All of this has been said to give me an excuse for my miserable 5-7 record in picking the winners in last week's semifinal round of the high school football playoffs.

We're down to the finals beginning today in the DakotaDome in Vermillion, and this is no time for a slip-up, either by the competing teams or my crystal ball.

There will be some questions answered this weekend.

Can Sioux Falls O'Gorman continue its supremacy in Class 11AA?

Will Aberdeen Roncalli keep its scoreless string intact?

Can Colome continue knocking off unbeaten teams?

Six state champions will be crowned - on the field - not through my crystal ball.

But that doesn't keep me from heading back for another round of selections.

Here are my championship-game picks, in the order they will be played:

Class 9A

Scotland vs. Gettysburg: No one would have given Scotland much of a chance to be at this point a couple of months ago. Gettysburg has been one of the teams to beat in this classification all season. This could be an exciting game as Gettysburg holds off Scotland 18-12 to win its first state title in six tries.

Class 9AA

Parker vs. Elkton: Elkton has reeled off 11 straight victories, while Parker's only setback was 24-20 to Stickney-Mt. Vernon. This could easily turn into a high-scoring contest, with Elkton coming out on top, 42-36.

Class 9B

Colome vs. Iroquois: Can Colome, which almost didn't have a team this season, knock off its third straight unbeaten team? The Cowboys' fortunes will depend on holding Iroquois' high-scoring offense. It's a difficult task as Iroquois prevails, 32-12.

Class 9B

St. Thomas More vs. Aberdeen Roncalli: This is the game people have been waiting for. It matches a pair of unbeaten teams that met in last year's championship game. Roncalli has a phenomenal record this season, not allowing a point. St. Thomas More's forte has been its offense. I feel the key to the game will be if St. Thomas More can move the ball and even possibly score on its first possession. They need to give the Roncalli defense reason to doubt if they can finish with that unblemished scored-on record. It should be an entertaining game, with the Cavaliers - the Roncalli variety - winning 35-14.

Class 11A

Dell Rapids vs. Canton: With West Central out of the picture, all "11A" teams had renewed hope this season. Dell Rapids' defense has been stellar, while Canton has mainly relied on its offense. In what could be a defensive battle, give the nod to Canton, 20-14.

Class 11AA

Sioux Falls Roosevelt vs. Sioux Falls O'Gorman: It seems fitting that the state's two top-ranked teams will be clashing for the state title. O'Gorman has a 12-game winning streak this season, while Roosevelt has won 10 straight since losing to the Knights, 21-14, back on Sept. 2. Can the Knights hold down the Rough Riders' high-scoring offense and can O'Gorman coach Steve Kueter again pull off another state championship? O'Gorman's hopes of winning are dashed as Roosevelt triumphs, 20-14.

Net numbers

With the Class A and Class B regions and the Class AA districts complete, it's time to look at my "guessing" numbers.

I was 3-1 in the Class AA districts, to go along with my 22-10 record in the other two classes. I then went 12-4 in the "A" and "B" regions, giving me a current record of 37-15.

In Friday night's Class AA regions, I'm going with Watertown, Sioux Falls Lincoln, Rapid City Stevens and Pierre.

This and that

Sioux Falls O'Gorman halfback Tom Jarding will miss the Class 11AA championship game with a lacerated kidney. ... Timber Lake's Theresa Crance is doing double-duty at Minnesota-Crookston as she is playing volleyball and basketball. ... Custer's Paige Paulsen scored 11 points as Wisconsin-Milwaukee downed Edgewood College 77-53 in an exhibition college men's basketball game. ... Rapid City's Adam Templeton scored 13 points in Cal-Irvine's 82-65 exhibition men's basketball victory over St. Xavier.

Contact Toland at 394-8430 or at roger.toland@rapidcityjournal.com