Kimball/White Lake Advances to 9A Semifinals
The No. 8 seed Kimball/White Lake football team reached the Class 9A semifinals after a 38-0 shutout of No. 1 Timber Lake.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
Kimball/White Lake advanced to the Class 9A semifinals as the No. 8 seed, shutting out No. 1-seeded Timber Lake 38-0 in the quarterfinals. The team, now 7-3 and riding a four-game winning streak, will face Bennett County on Friday at 7 p.m. in Martin.
Why it matters
The run gives the small-school program a chance to reach the state championship game at the DakotaDome. Its shared running-back rotation has carried the offense through a season in which the team has racked up 2,458 rushing yards.
Running backs Carter Konechne and Chevy Fees have combined for 27 rushing touchdowns, with Konechne leading the team with 965 rushing yards and Fees adding 351 receiving yards on 22 catches. Konechne also has 71 total tackles and five interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, while the team as a whole has 2,458 rushing yards this season.
The players
Kimball/White Lake
A small-school South Dakota football program competing in Class 9A.
Carter Konechne
A running back and defensive player for Kimball/White Lake who leads the team in rushing yards and interceptions.
Chevy Fees
A running back and defensive back for Kimball/White Lake who shares carries with Konechne and covers opponents' top receivers.
The details
Kimball/White Lake's offense is built around Fees and Konechne, who share carries so both stay fresh. Fees is often assigned to cover opponents' top receivers, adding a defensive role alongside his offensive production.
Timeline
Friday, 7 p.m.: Kimball/White Lake faces Bennett County in the Class 9A semifinal in Martin.
Season Trajectory
Kimball/White Lake's run as the No. 8 seed through the South Dakota Class 9A bracket illustrates how a lower-seeded team can advance deep into the state playoffs. Its path to the DakotaDome would extend a season in which the team has built its offense around a two-back rotation.
A win Friday would put Kimball/White Lake in the state championship game at the DakotaDome. Fans following fantasy-style or statistical breakdowns of the team should note Konechne's and Fees's combined 27 rushing touchdowns as a key driver of the offense.
The takeaway
Kimball/White Lake's semifinal run shows how a shared backfield and two-way contributions can carry a lower-seeded team deep into the postseason. Tracking the Friday game in Martin will show whether that approach holds against a stronger opponent.
What happens next
Kimball/White Lake plays Bennett County in the Class 9A semifinal on Friday at 7 p.m. in Martin.
Further reading
For more high school action, explore the latest South Dakota Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mitchell Republic.
