CANISTOTA, S.D. (KELO) — The first KELOLAND Sports Game of the Week to air on KELOXTRA will feature a cross class battle in 9-man football, as 9AA Viborg-Hurley meets 9B #2 Canistota.
Pregame coverage begins at 7 p.m. on KELOXTRA and KELOLAND.com, with kick-off beginning at 7:05 p.m.
Watch Canistota vs. Viborg-Hurley – Game of the Week Page
CANISTOTA HAWKS
The Hawks went 8-3 last year, before falling the 9A playoffs to eventual state champion, Warner.
Canistota returns three starters on offense and four on defense.
“We have some solid skill position players. Very athletic and good football IQ. We are inexperienced on the line, so it could take us some time to get into an offensive rhythm, hopefully it will happen game one,” Canistota head coach Daniel Whalen said. “Out of the gate, I like how our defense is looking.”
The Hawks defeated Viborg-Hurley last season, but both teams have changed and coach Whalen knows its a tough first game.
VIBORG-HURLEY COUGARS
Viborg-Hurley lost quite a few starters from last year’s team that went 3-6, however they return some talented players.
Brady Schroedermeier is one of the top quarterbacks in nine man football and he’s receiving attention from multiple levels of colleges.
“They are solid in the backfield with a tough back in Jacob Graves and some serious speed with Evan Campbell. Rafe Goettertz is a beast on both sides of the ball in the line,” Whalen said.
As for the open spots, Viborg-Hurley has 30 players out for football, giving them options to fill in the holes.
THE MATCHUP
Canistota leads the series in the past three years, going 2-1 in that span. The two wins came with them scoring more than 40 points.
Viborg-Hurley’s win over the Hawks in 2022 was a 20-14, lower scoring victory.
COVERAGE
Pregame begins at 7 p.m. on KELOLAND.com and KELOXTRA.
Watch Canistota vs. Viborg-Hurley – Game of the Week Page
Play-by-play will be provided by Sports Director Grant Sweeter. Jordan Desmet will add sideline reports and commentary for the game.
Desmet is a former offensive lineman for Northwestern College in Iowa, where he won an NAIA National Championship.
