Sturgis Grabbed No. 5 Spot in Football Rankings

Sturgis edged out Mitchell in the latest South Dakota media poll to secure the fifth position in Class 11AA.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Football

Sturgis Grabbed No. 5 Spot in Football Rankings

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Sturgis secured the No. 5 ranking in the South Dakota Class 11AA football poll by a narrow 12-to-11 vote margin over Mitchell. This shift marks the fourth different team to hold that specific ranking within the last four weeks.

Why it matters

The weekly media rankings reflect shifting team momentum and competitive parity across South Dakota high school football divisions. These polls influence the season narrative and playoff positioning as teams vie for top status in their respective classes.

Sturgis climbed into the No. 5 spot with 12 votes, narrowly surpassing Mitchell's 11 votes. Sioux Falls Jefferson currently holds the top ranking in Class 11AAA with 115 total points.

The players

Sturgis

Sturgis is a South Dakota high school football program that holds the new No. 5 ranking in Class 11AA.

Mitchell

Mitchell is a South Dakota high school football program that fell out of the Class 11AA top five.

Sioux Falls Jefferson

Sioux Falls Jefferson is a competitive high school football team currently ranked No. 1 in Class 11AAA.

O'Gorman

O'Gorman is a high school football program that shifted to the No. 3 ranking in Class 11AAA.

Harrisburg

Harrisburg is a high school football program that moved into the No. 4 spot in Class 11AAA.

The details

The latest media rankings also saw movement in other classes, including O'Gorman and Harrisburg swapping the No. 3 and No. 4 spots in Class 11AAA following a head-to-head result. Additionally, Dell Rapids re-entered the top five for Class 11A, while Timber Lake and Sully Buttes traded positions in the Class 9A poll.

September 8, 2026: Sturgis last received votes before the October 5 poll.
September 12, 2026: Harrisburg defeated O'Gorman in a head-to-head game.
October 5, 2026: The previous week's prep media football poll was issued.
October 12, 2026: The latest South Dakota prep media football poll was released.

Season Trajectory

The constant rotation of teams at the No. 5 spot indicates high competitive parity within Class 11AA this season. These adjustments in the rankings significantly alter the perception of which teams are peaking as the postseason approaches.

Sturgis and Mitchell remain separated by a single point in the media poll, highlighting a razor-thin margin in the current Class 11AA landscape. Fans should monitor these point totals as they serve as a key metric for gauging team momentum before the final playoff bracket is finalized.

The takeaway

The rapid turnover at the fifth-ranked position shows that voter sentiment is highly responsive to recent head-to-head results and overall team performance. Coaches and players should view these weekly changes as a reminder that consistency throughout the season is essential for maintaining a top-tier standing.