Local Sports – Tuesday, August 18, 2026

The Yankton Bucks have been picked third in the inaugural Class 11AA Football Media Poll of the 2026 season.

Yankton is coming off a state championship appearance last season, as they ended 2025 with a 9-3 record.

Pierre took 19 of 20 first-place votes to claim the top spot, followed by Huron in second. Tea Area and Sturgis round out the top five, with Watertown and Spearfish receiving votes.

Other area teams were also selected in their respective classes. The Bon Homme Cavaliers are 3rd in Class 9AA and Avon are 4th in Class 9B. (Complete Preseason Media Polls for all classes are available at the end)

The Mount Marty Lancers are 10th in the GPAC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll, the conference announced yesterday.

The Lancers are coming off a 3-7-5 record last season, 1-5-4 in GPAC play, advancing past the first round of the GPAC Tournament for the first time in program history with a shootout win over Northwestern.

Concordia edged out Northwestern for the top spot, with both teams earning four first-place votes. The remaining three first-place votes went to Morningside in 3rd.

GPAC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll:

1. Concordia (4) – 91 points
2. Northwestern (4) – 88 points
3. Morningside (3) – 82 points
4. Midland – 73 points
5. Briar Cliff – 66 points
6. Dakota Wesleyan – 58 points
7. Hastings – 49 points
8. Dordt – 32 points
9. Doane – 30 points
10. Mount Marty – 26 points
11. Waldorf – 10 points

Yankton Bucks Golf is tied for 3rd out of 17 teams after day one of the Warrior-Lynx Invitational at Brandon Golf Course.

Yankton shot a 308 on day one, tying with Brookings. Easton Schelhaas leads the way for Yankton with a 74, followed by Eli Larson (76), Gus Sprakel (77), Brayden Byrkeland (81), Kai Cody (83), and Abe Hanson (88).

The tournament concludes today at Willow Run Golf Course in Sioux Falls. Tee time is scheduled for 8:00 AM.

Yankton Gazelles Tennis travels to Lennox today for their second varsity triangular of the season.

The Gazelles will face the Lennox Orioles first at 11:00 AM before taking on the Vermillion Tanagers at 2:00 PM.

Matches are scheduled to be held at Lennox High School.

SD High School Football Media Polls (8/17/26):
11AAA:

1. Lincoln
2. Brandon Valley
3. Jefferson
4. Harrisburg
5. O’Gorman

Receiving Votes: Washington

11AA:

1. Pierre
2. Huron
3. Yankton
4. Tea Area
5. Sturgis

Receiving Votes: Watertown, Spearfish

11A:

1. SF Christian
2. Lennox
3. Dell Rapids
4. West Central
5. Madison

Receiving Votes: Dakota Valley, Canton, Tri-Valley

11B:

1. Elk Point-Jefferson
2. St. Thomas More
3. Winner
4. Deuel
5. Sioux Valley

Receiving Votes: Clark/Willow Lake, Mobridge-Pollock, RC Christian, McCook Central/Montrose, Hot Springs

9AA:

1. Parkston
2. Hamlin
3. Bon Homme
4. Platte-Geddes
5. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan

Receiving Votes: Viborg-Hurley, Hanson, Hill City, Britton-Hecla, Harretson, SF Lutheran

9A:

1. Freeman
2. Howard
3. Elkton-Lake Benton
4. Kimball/White Lake
5. Castlewood

Receiving Votes: Faulkton Area, Alcester-Hudson, Lyman, Phillip, Harding County/Bison, Ipswich, Sully Buttes

9B:

1. St. Mary’s
2. Wall
3. Warner
4. Avon
5. Colman-Egan

Receiving Votes: Herreid/Selby Area