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The Elkton-Lake Benton football team embarks on the 2025 season this Friday.
ELB will open with Waubay-Summit at 7 p.m. on the road. Last year, the Elks blanked the Mustangs, 42-0.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton and Edgerton will follow the following week with road games on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 28 and 29, respectively.
Kaleb Haas is the new Elks coach, replacing Ethan Pearson, who piloted the team to a 9-2 record and semifinal appearance in the Class 9AA playoffs.
The Elks, who were seeded third in last year’s draw, finished with a plus-31.5 point differential per game average.
Elkton-Lake Benton running back Eliot Erickson carries the ball during a 2024 season game versus Hanson at the Elkton Athletic Complex. Erickson and the Elks begin play this Friday at Waubay/Summit. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
This marks the second year of a two-year cycle for opponents in South Dakota; meanwhile, the Minnesota State High School League realigned sections this year.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton went 2-7 last season, with the Knights looking to improve on those fortunes under new head coach Ted Kern. Both wins were versus Wabasso.
Only three opponents remain from RTR’s schedule in 2025, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton, Murray County Central and Springfield, the last who played in the Class A 11-man state championship versus Minneota.
Unlike last season, powerhouse Minneota isn’t on RTR’s slate, which is a win in of itself.
Tyson Burns looks for running room during a 2024 game versus Windom. (File photo by Joel Alvstad/Cottonwood Couty Citizen)
Yellow Medicine East, the season opener scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28, Sleepy Eye, Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian (BOLD), Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (KMS) and Lakeview (Cottonwood) are all new opponents.
Windom Area, Adrian-Ellsworth, Martin County West and Wabasso also were dropped from the Knights’ schedule. Windom Area will play a Class AA schedule this year, including a date versus Pipestone Area on Sept. 5.
Edgerton (6-4) reached the second round of the 9-Player sectional playoffs before falling to Mountain Lake Area, 41-22.
The Flying Dutchmen’s schedule remains pretty much intact in 2025, with a couple of exceptions.
Edgerton Public’s Michael Gunnink (8) runs upfield with an interception return during a Wednesday, Oct. 16 game versus Westbrook/Walnut Grove in Edgerton. The Flying Dutchmen opened the playoffs Tuesday.
Red Rock Central and Grand Meadow were dropped from the slate, while Adrian-Ellsworth and Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman are additions.
Many will remember last year’s playoff game between Edgerton and GHEC/Truman in which the teams combined for 114 points, won by the Flying Dutchmen.
Edgerton will face Mountain Lake Area at home this season on Friday, Sept. 12, and Adrian-Ellsworth the following Friday — two schedule highlights for the Flying Dutchmen.
Complete season schedules accompany this story in agate form, including Homecoming games.
Here are the schedules for regional high school football teams. (Contributed graphic from Vector Stock)
FOOTBALL
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton. (Contributed graphic)
2025 Schedule
August
23, at Pipestone Area, Paulsen Athletic Complex (scrimmage); 28, at Yellow Medicine East, Granite Falls (Thursday)
September
5, at Sleepy Eye; 12, LAKEVIEW; 19, at Murray County Central; 26, TRACY-MILROY-BALATON (HOMECOMING)
October
3, BIRD ISLAND-OLIVIA-LAKE LILLIAN (BOLD); 9, at Springfield (Thursday); 15, KERKHOVEN-MURDOCK-SUNBURG
Playoff Schedule
October
21, Section 3A Quarterfinals; 25, Section 3A Semifinals; 31, Section 3A Championship, 2 p.m., Mattke Field, Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall
November
6-8, MSHSL State Quarterfinals (various sites); 13-15, MSHSL Semifinals, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis; 21-22, MSHSL Finals, Prep Bowl Series, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Editor’s Note: All home games are listed in ALL CAPS, and played in Tyler. Kickoffs are set for 7 p.m., except otherwise indicated.
Edgerton Public Flying Dutchmen. (Contributed logo from the Edgerton Public school district)
Edgerton
2025 Schedule
August
23, at Red Rock Central, Lamberton (scrimmage); 29, at Cedar Mountain
September
6, Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman, Truman (Saturday); 12, MOUNTAIN LAKE AREA; 19, ADRIAN-ELLSWORTH; 26, at Heron Lake-Okabena-Fulda, Heron Lake
October
3, at Hills-Beaver Creek, Hills; 10, WESTBROOK-WALNUT GROVE (HOMECOMING); 15, NEW ULM CATHEDRAL
Playoff Schedule
October
21, Section 3A Quarterfinals; 25, Section 3A Semifinals; 31, Section 3A Championship, 2 p.m., Mattke Field, Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall
November
21, Section 3 9-Player Quarterfinals; 25, Section 3 9-Player Semifinals; 31, Section 3 9-Player Championship, 7 p.m., Mattke Field, Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall
Editor’s Note: All home games are listed in ALL CAPS, and played in Tyler. Kickoffs are set for 7 p.m., except otherwise indicated.
Elkton Elks logo. (Contributed graphic from the Elkton school district)
Elkton-Lake Benton
2025 Schedule
August
22, at Waubay/Summit, Waubay; 29, VIBORG-HURLEY
September
5, at Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy; 12, DE SMET; 19, at Great Plains Lutheran, Watertown; 26, Bye week
October
3, GARRETSON (HOMECOMING); 10, DEUBROOK AREA; 17, at Hamlin, Hayti
Playoff Schedule
October
23, South Dakota High School Activities Association first-round game; 30, Quarterfinal round
November
7, Semifinal round; 13-15, SDHSAA Football Championships, DakotaDome, University of South Dakota, Vermillion
Editor’s Note: All home games are listed in ALL CAPS, and played at the Elkton Athletic Complex. Kickoffs are set for 7 p.m.