De Smet 40, Castlewood 12
DE SMET – In a matchup of teams in the preseason rankings, the Class 9B No. 2 De Smet Bulldogs were able to outgain the Castlewood Warriors, the fourth-ranked team in Class 9A, 336 yards to 176 yards en route to a 40-12 victory.

Quarterback Britt Carlson led the Bulldogs (1-0) with 120 yards and three touchdowns through the air while also recording 86 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Kadyn Fast ran for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Tom Aughenbaugh snagged 95 yards and two scores worth of receptions.

Gannon Gilligan led the De Smet defense with 11 tackles.

Quincy Thu recorded 13 tackles and an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to lead Castlewood (0-1).

De Smet travels to Stanley County while Castlewood hosts Arlington on Friday.

Hitchcock-Tulare 50, Northwestern 0

MELLETTE – Defending champion and preseason Class 9B top-ranked Hitchcock-Tulare played the road spoilers on opening week, defeating the Northwestern Wildcats 50-0 in a game ended early by mercy rule in the third quarter.

The H-T Patriots (1-0) were led by Erik Salmen’s 125 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Patriot quarterback Brendan Nowell passed for 151 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for two scores and 43 yards.

Hitchcock-Tulare’s defense was stout, allowing just 21 yards. Salmen led the defense with seven solo tackles, including one tackle for loss.

Hitchcock-Tulare     22 14 14 — 50
Northwestern       0   0   0 —   0

Scoring summary

1st quarter

HT - Brendan Nowell, 26-yard TD run (Blaze Binger conversion run)
HT - Erik Salmen, 12-yard TD run (conversion failed)
HT - Nowell 34-yard TD pass to Patrick Maynard (Binger conversion run)

2nd quarter
HT - Nowell, 12-yard TD run (Binger conversion run)
HT - Nowell 30-yard TD pass to Mason Tschetter (conversion failed)

3rd quarter
HT - Nowell 74-yard pass to Payton Chasing Hawk (Nowell conversion run)
HT - Salmen, 55-yard TD run (no conversion)