Prep Football: Young Rough Riders Look To Repeat

Ten days until kickoff to the high school football season in South Dakota.

Two-a-days started Monday as Sioux Falls Roosevelt looks to defend it's "AA" title.

Seventeen starters are gone from last year's team that defeated Sioux Falls Washington 31-17 for their third state championship in school history and their first since 2007.

Senior defensive end John Wessel will be called upon to lead a very young Riders roster. They will return running back Mikal Smith. Taryn Smith may take over as QB, replacing lefty Scott Tyler.

Ten starters on defense and seven on offense are gone from last year's title team. Roosevelt's first game is August 24 against Aberdeen Central.

The weather has cooperated so far for camp. Wednesday will be the warmest day of the week in the 90s. Cooler weather returns for the remainder of the week.

The Riders will hold a team scrimmage Saturday at 9 a.m. and a team picnic at noon at Kuehn Park.

2011 Road to the Championship

Quarterfinals: SF Roosevelt def Brandon Valley 38-37

A Derek Granum game winning field goal beats the Lynx.

Semifinals: SF Roosevelt def SF O'Gorman 23-16

RHS uses a second half surge to knock off the Knights. First time in school history the Riders beat O’Gorman twice in the same season.

Finals: SF Roosevelt def SF Washington 31-17

Senior Josh Angulo(MVP)  9 receptions and 187 yards along with two touchdowns. Scott Tyler passed for 337 yards with three passing touchdowns and added one rushing.

Second half defense for the Rough Riders was key, holding the Warrior offense scoreless.

Volleyball and cross country teams also began practice on Monday.  Boys golf and Girls tennis began their preparations for the upcoming season last Monday and schools that offer competitive cheer and competitive dance have been practicing for two weeks already.