A variety of area squads are listed in the initial prep media football poll.

Aberdeen Central is rated fifth in the Class 11A. The Golden Eagles open their season against top-rated Pierre on Saturday, Aug. 31.

Hamlin is rated second in Class 9AA, receiving three first-place votes.

Wolsey-Wessington is rated third and Warner fourth in Class 9A. The defending state champion Monarchs received one first-place vote.

Faulkton, which was runner-up in Class 9B last season, is rated third and received one first-place vote.

Top-rated teams are Harrisburg in Class 11AAA, Pierre in Class 11AA, Canton in Class 11A, Winner in Class 11B, Parkston in Class 9AA, Howard in Class 9A, and Avon in Class 9B.

Other area squads receiving votes include Deuel and Aberdeen Roncalli 11B, Potter County in 9A, and Sully Buttes, Hitchcock-Tulare, and Herreid-Selby Area in 9B.

The preseason South Dakota Prep Media Football Poll is listed below, ranking the top-five teams and points received. First-place votes are listed in parentheses.

Class 11AAA

1. Harrisburg (9) 65

2. Lincoln (6) 61

3. Brandon Valley 52

4. O’Gorman (1) 38

5. Washington 15

Receiving votes: Jefferson 9. 

Class 11AA

1. Pierre (16) 80

2. Yankton 59

3. Tea Area 50

4. Watertown 26

5. Aberdeen Central 20

Receiving votes: Sturgis 5. 

Class 11A

1. Canton (6) 56

T-2. SF Christian (5) 52

T-2. Dell Rapids (3) 52

4. West Central (2) 34

5. Lennox 23

Receiving votes: Rapid City Christian 16, Tri-Valley 4, Dakota Valley 3. 

Class 11B

1. Winner (10) 72

2. Elk Point-Jefferson (4) 60

3. Sioux Valley (2) 53

4. Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central 25

5. Hot Springs 13

Receiving votes: Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 10, Wagner 4, Deuel 2, Aberdeen Roncalli 1. 

Class 9AA

1. Parkston (12) 74

2. Hamlin (3) 58

3. Elkton-Lake Benton 39

4. Hanson (1) 29

5. Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 15

Receiving votes: Gregory 11, Viborg-Hurley 9, Stanley County 3, Kimball/White Lake 2. 

Class 9A

1. Howard (15) 79

2. Wall 41

3. Wolsey-Wessington 36

4. Warner (1) 35

5. Harding County/Bison 17

Receiving votes: Alcester-Hudson 14, Platte-Geddes 10, Deubrook Area 7, Potter County 1.

Class 9B

1. Avon (10) 74

2. Canistota (5) 52

3. Faulkton Area (1) 47

4. Corsica-Stickney 25

5. Dell Rapids St. Mary 19

Receiving votes: Kadoka Area 8, Colman-Egan 7, Sully Buttes 4, Hitchcock-Tulare 3, Herreid/Selby Area 1.