The turf is ready and the lights are about to turn on at football fields across South Dakota. High School football is here and the first Sportswriter poll has been released.

Class 11AAA
1. SF Roosevelt
2. SF Lincoln
3. SF O’Gorman
4. SF Washington
5. Brandon Valley

Jerry Palleschi's Thoughts: The five teams they have correct. Roosevelt is my preseason #1 also with the amount of kids that are returning both on offense and defense. O'Gorman has a lot of talent back also between Luke Fritsch at quarterback, and Dodi Makwinja playing fullback/running back. Plus even more for O'Gorman who has done a great job of getting kids playing time and the chance to develop. Lincoln has some building to do, but has the blocks with four returning offensive line starters. Washington has a lot of familiar faces on the roster, while Brandon Valley will look to come out quick with some turnover on their roster. I would switch O'Gorman and Lincoln at this point, but leave everything else where it is.

Class 11AA
1. Yankton
2. Brookings
3. Pierre
4. Mitchell
5. Harrisburg

Jerry Palleschi's Thoughts: Yankton and Brookings will battle it out again this season with both schools having a lot of talent back. Agree with putting Yankton in the top spot and Brookings second. We'll get a good look in the first week when the two teams play to open the season. No issues with the order of the top five. Harrisburg has a tough schedule, but they are in the process of building up a good program. Pierre could surprise a few people, especially with Brevin Kaiser under center again.

Class 11A
1. Dell Rapids
2. Madison
3. West Central
4. Hot Springs
5. Canton

Class 11B
1. Parkston
2. McCook Central/Montrose
3. Aberdeen Roncalli
4. Tri-Valley
5. Groton Area

Class 9AA
1. Gregory
2. Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central
3. Kimball/White Lake
4. Bon Homme
5. Wolsey-Wessington

Class 9A
1. Canistota
2. Hanson
3. Potter County
4. Menno-Marion
5. Warner

Class 9B
1. Hamlin
2. Faulkton Area
3. Avon
4. Harding County
5. Howard

More From KXRB