Colton Smith represents Kernels on Class 11AA all-state football team

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Nov. 21—MITCHELL — Mitchell High School senior Colton Smith earned selection to the Class 11AA all-state football honor team, as chosen by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.

As the Kernels' representative, Smith was picked as one of four defensive linemen on the honor squad.

More well-known for his exploits on the basketball court, Smith played just one season of high school football but made an immediate impact. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound end led MHS in total tackles (43), tackles for loss (6 1/2 ), interceptions (four), defensive touchdowns (three), pass breakups (two), forced fumbles (two) and blocked kicks (four), plus was second in sacks with 2 1/2 . On offense, he also paced the Kernels with 196 receiving yards and one touchdown reception.

"Colton made the most of his one season of high school football, " said MHS head coach Pat Larson. "His lack of football knowledge was offset by his pure athletic ability and high-end motor."

Fellow MHS senior Logan Bessler received honorable mention recognition on the Class 11AA all-state list.

Due to scheme changes on both sides of the football, Bessler transitioned from tight end and defensive end, where he played in 2024, to fullback and middle linebacker this season and excelled. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder led the Kernels in rushing attempts with 91 and was second in yards (365) and touchdowns (three), while adding 11 receptions for 132 yards. Defensively, Bessler collected 29 tackles with five for loss this season, giving him 61 total stops in his two seasons with Mitchell.

"Logan was a consistent offensive threat for us this season, both in the running and passing games, and he was the leader in the middle of our defense," Larson said. "He was a team captain and was selected as our National Guard Warrior of the Month winner."

Headlining the Class 11AA all-state team as the All-American honoree was Brookings' Bergan Tetzlaff, who was picked as an all-state tight end for the third time. Yankton, which earned the No. 1 seed in the Class 11AA playoffs for the second year in a row, led all programs with eight all-state selections plus one honorable mention. State champion Pierre landed five all-state picks and one honorable mention, while Huron had four players on the honor team with two honorable mentions.

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