Every Friday, "South Dakota Sports Lounge" displays some of the most captivating and entertaining conversations from daily sports talk shows in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Fargo. Plus, Midwest Sports+ reporter Zach Borg provides a compelling feature story to send Dakotas sports fans into the weekend with a smile. Here are this week's segments: Happy Hour with John Gaskins (Sioux Falls): Second-year SDSU coach Dan Jackson describes the speech legendary former coach John Stiegelmeier gave his squad, the elevated abilities of already uber-talented quarterback Chase Mason, how the Jacks plan to be far more explosive on offense, and why some top veterans were held out of some August practices ahead of Saturday's season opener against Stetson. Hot Mic with Dom Izzo (Fargo): Minnesota State-Moorhead coach Steve Laqua beams about the shining NFL preseason performances from former Dragon quarterback Jack Strand in Atlanta, then previews the 2026 season. The Nate Brown Show (Rapid City): The Voice of the USD Coyotes, John Thayer, projects the top storylines of the only program that has reached the FCS quarterfinals for three consecutive years, including the new leadership of Matt Vitzthum as head coach and redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Modrzewski, who Vitzthum recently selected to take the starting reigns in Saturday's opener against '25 playoff team Central Connecticut State. Zach Borg Feature (MS+): A "Camp Confidential" series profile on the Pierre Governors, who this season seek their ninth Class 11AA state title in 10 years. You can catch all the "Camp Confidential" profiles here and enjoy live and on-demand broadcasts of Sioux Falls Metro Conference games with your Midwest Sports+ subscription, starting this weekend with: Friday's doubleheader at Howard Wood Field, which will also be televised live on KSFL-TV, channel 36 (over-the-air) and Midco channel 616: 5 p.m. - Rapid City Central at Sioux Falls Washington 7:30 p.m. - No. 5 O'Gorman at No. 1 Sioux Falls Lincoln Zach Borg will call the play-by-play of those games, with former Augustana offensive coordinator James Schrenk returning as an MS+ analyst. On Saturday, MS+ will televise what is anticipated to be the best matchup of the week in South Dakota's 11AAA football — The Tiger Bowl in Harrisburg. No. 3 Sioux Falls Jefferson will visit No. 4 Harrisburg in rematch of a epic come-from-behind Cavaliers win last season on MS+. You can watch back that instant classic and all of our game replays from 2025 with your MS+ subscription! Veteran local play-by-play announcer John Gaskins will call the game, also with Schrenk providing analysis. Soon after these broadcasts conclude, your subscription makes them available "on demand" to watch anytime on midwestsportsplus.com or the MS+ app. Let the games begin!

Let the games begin! Finally, the Jackrabbits, Coyotes, Vikings, Cougars and all the Sioux Falls area 11-man high school teams are kicking off their seasons. This means the second season of Happy Hour's "Thirsty Thursday Football Forecast" kicks off. The Happy Hour host and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer dive into the matchups and "what to watch" for the games involving our local college and prep squads. While No. 3 SDSU (-47.5 vs. Stetson) and No. 12 USD (-23.5 vs. Central Connecticut State) are heavy favorites to roll at home in their openers, there's plenty of intrigue regarding what both the Jacks and Yotes will look like after fans and media have spent the eight nine months talking and writing about them. Which players are we most excited to see? How will the quarterbacks perform, and how will offensive game plans be designed? Who might be some breakout players who have yet to take a snap or make a big play in a college football game? Which defensive weak spots may be vulnerable? Thursday is kickoff for two Div. II teams in Sioux Falls. NSIC coaches rated Augustana No. 3 out of 15 teams in their preseason poll, while USF is slotted at No. 4. Is either team under "upset alert" in their openers? Plus, there are three Top 5 matchups involving Sioux Falls metro area teams to preview: * Class 11AAA — No. 3 SF Jefferson at #4 Harrisburg * Class 11AAA — No. 5 O'Gorman at No. 1 SF Lincoln * Class 11A — No. 1 SF Christian at No. 2 Lennox Matt Zimmer's wife joins to discuss a serious public school cause Imagine being a kid at school and being denied lunch. Sadly, this may happen soon for some K-12 students in the Sioux Falls School District due to the district's $22,300 school lunch debt. Every student has an "account" for school food. In some cases, those accounts accrue negative amounts, and the dreaded "insufficient funds" notice appears, forcing school officials to deny food or provide an insufficient "snack" instead of a meal. As someone who experienced the anxiety and shame of needing assistance to eat lunch during the school day as a child, Jenn Kenyon Zimmer — wife of Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer and mother of a 10-year-old in the SFSD — and other parents have stepped up to ensure no child goes hungry during a school day. She wrote a recent Sioux Falls Live column about her mission, along with the nonprofit fundraising group Hungry Hearts SF. In her conversation with the Happy Hour host, Kenyon Zimmer displays the emotion associated with her past trauma on this topic and explains why donating to SFSD Child Nutrition is worthwhile.

Imagine being a kid at school and being denied lunch. Sadly, this may happen soon for some K-12 students in the Sioux Falls School District due to the district's $22,300 school lunch debt. Every student has an "account" for school food. In some cases, those accounts accrue negative amounts, and the dreaded "insufficient funds" notice appears, forcing school officials to deny food or provide an insufficient "snack" instead of a meal. As someone who experienced the anxiety and shame of needing assistance to eat lunch during the school day as a child, Jenn Kenyon Zimmer — wife of Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer and mother of a 10-year-old in the SFSD — and other parents have stepped up to ensure no child goes hungry during a school day. She wrote a recent Sioux Falls Live column about her mission, along with the nonprofit fundraising group Hungry Hearts SF. In her conversation with the Happy Hour host, Kenyon Zimmer displays the emotion associated with her past trauma on this topic and explains why donating to SFSD Child Nutrition is worthwhile.

Let the games begin! Finally, the Jackrabbits, Coyotes, Vikings, Cougars and all the Sioux Falls area 11-man high school teams are kicking off their seasons. This means the second season of Happy Hour's "Thirsty Thursday Football Forecast" kicks off. The Happy Hour host and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer dive into the matchups and "what to watch" for the games involving our local college and prep squads. While No. 3 SDSU (-47.5 vs. Stetson) and No. 12 USD (-23.5 vs. Central Connecticut State) are heavy favorites to roll at home in their openers, there's plenty of intrigue regarding what both the Jacks and Yotes will look like after fans and media have spent the eight nine months talking and writing about them. Which players are we most excited to see? How will the quarterbacks perform, and how will offensive game plans be designed? Who might be some breakout players who have yet to take a snap or make a big play in a college football game? Which defensive weak spots may be vulnerable? Thursday is kickoff for two Div. II teams in Sioux Falls. NSIC coaches rated Augustana No. 3 out of 15 teams in their preseason poll, while USF is slotted at No. 4. Is either team under "upset alert" in their openers? Plus, there are three Top 5 matchups involving Sioux Falls metro area teams to preview: * Class 11AAA — No. 3 SF Jefferson at #4 Harrisburg * Class 11AAA — No. 5 O'Gorman at No. 1 SF Lincoln * Class 11A — No. 1 SF Christian at No. 2 Lennox

At this point, all of us college football fans feel like the whiny, impatient toddler in the back seat of a long road trip. Are we there yet? No. 3 South Dakota State and No. 12 South Dakota kick off their seasons with home games on Saturday, while Augustana (at Missouri Western) and USF (hosting Black Hills State) get a head start on Thursday. In between, there is a full high school slate on Friday, plus the "Tiger Bowl" between Sioux Falls Jefferson and Harrisburg on Saturday (which you can see on Midwest Sports Plus). For over a month since Missouri Valley Football Conference Media Day, Sioux Falls Live sportswriters and the Happy Hour host have pumped out daily stories and shows about Jackrabbit and Coyote football, covering almost every imaginable angle. On Happy Hour, we've had a Jackrabbit Day (from SDSU's official media day on Aug. 16), Coyote Day (USD did not have an official media day, but we did a USD show on Aug. 18), and an Augie & USF Day. Last week, Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer teamed with the Happy Hour host for a two-volume College Football Preview Show— one for the Jacks and Yotes and one for the Vikings and Cougars. On Monday's Happy Hour, SDSU coach Dan Jackson expressed why he is eager and optimistic — particularly about quarterback Chase Mason — for a run to national championship contention after a turbulent 9-5 campaign in his first season. That night, USD's Matt Vitzthum revealed that freshman Austin Modrzewski won the three-horse quarterback race and will start on Saturday against Central Connecticut State. The next day Vitzthum fielded several questions on Happy Hour about why the former two-time Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year beat a pair of seniors. So, what's left to say? Oh, plenty. That's always the case when Zimmer and the host get together over beers at Gateway Lounge in Sioux Falls. In the final preseason show, the two break down what they are most eager to see and what to expect from SDSU and USD based on their in-depth coverage of the teams throughout August camp. There is also one last glimpse into Augustana and USF, plus three select local high school games all involving Top 5 head-to-head matchups. But first, a toast to Dolly Parton. Drinking beer, talking sports, and regaling over Dolly. What a way to make a living!

The rookie head coach at USD is riding with a freshman quarterback. That's a bold move, but on Monday, Matt Vitzthum detailed why Austin Modrzewski beat out a pair of senior FBS transfers (both from Northern Illinois): Jackson Proctor and Nevan Cremascoli. On Tuesday, the Happy Hour host took Vitzthum—who was the Coyotes' quarterbacks coach for two seasons before taking over the program after Travis Johansen left for the Rutgers defensive coordinator job in February—for a much deeper dive to explain why the freshman became The Man. The job wasn't won by physical tools alone, including his 6'5" height and a rocket arm, for the two-time Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year. The freshman will not be the signal caller starting Saturday against Central Connecticut State because the head coach wants to start developing Modrzewski now so he'll flourish and be even more polished for years to come... although that is a potential byproduct. This is the portal era, babe. Nothing in the future is assumed or guaranteed. So how did the kid out-perform more experienced players, one (Proctor) who played in 27 FCS games, went 8-2, and completed a school-record 68 percent of his passes at Dartmouth two years ago? What is the kid's personality like? When was the moment this month Vitzthum realized Modrzewski was ready? Oh, there's plenty more to the Yotes than the QB1. Like... QB2. Where does that stand at the moment for Vitzthum? Why is Vitzthum so confident in an offensive line returning just one starter from last year's USD squad? And what challenges does CCSU present? Before the "Vitz" chat, the Happy Host harps on the significance of the QB1 decision. After "Vitz," a conversation with one of the most respected analysts and writers covering FCS football. Sam Herder built a large and loyal following over the last eight years at HERO Sports. Then, that operation's parent company, BetMGM, laid off Herder on Monday. The NDSU alumnus immediately pivoted to being his own boss. Herder explains why he is so passionate about the FCS level and why he wants to keep covering it for a living. Plus, Herder covers: * The impact of NDSU's exit on the FCS brand * Who, if anyone, besides the Montana schools and South Dakota State, will carry the FCS torch? * Should we realistically expect those above schools (plus USD and UND) to move "up" to the FBS within the next five years? * Is Chase Mason as NFL-ready a quarterback Herder has seen in the FCS after almost 15 yerars of covering that subdivision? * What is his reaction to the Yotes choosing Modrzewski at QB1? * How much of a hit will UND take with the loss of its best defensive player Lance Rucker?

It's a whopper decision to start a freshman quarterback, especially when a pair of seniors appeared to be qualified for the position.

The Happy Hour host breaks down the relevance and gravity of Austin Modrzewski earning the gig at USD and why this isn't a traditional decision about starting a freshman.

A conversation with one of the most respected analysts and writers covering FCS football. Sam Herder built a large and loyal following over the last eight years at HERO Sports. Then, that operation's parent company, BetMGM, laid off Herder on Monday. The NDSU alumnus immediately pivoted to being his own boss. Herder explains why he is so passionate about the FCS level and why he wants to keep covering it for a living. Plus, Herder covers: * The impact of NDSU's exit on the FCS brand * Who, if anyone, besides the Montana schools and South Dakota State, will carry the FCS torch? * Should we realistically expect those above schools (plus USD and UND) to move "up" to the FBS within the next five years? * Is Chase Mason as NFL-ready a quarterback Herder has seen in the FCS after almost 15 yerars of covering that subdivision? * What is his reaction to the Yotes choosing Modrzewski at QB1? * How much of a hit will UND take with the loss of its best defensive player Lance Rucker?

We all know why Chase Mason is one of the most highly anticipated FCS players in the country to watch in 2026. Physical specimen. Looks like a jacked superhero. Rocket arm. Runs like a deer. Just a stick of dynamite waiting to explode. And this is it— His last chance to not just be the golden boy, but have a golden year. To win the Walter Payton Award. To bring the FCS National Championship Trophy back to Brookings. To get as high on that NFL Draft board as he possibly can. There is zero reason to believe he won't be in the running for both achievements. That the Jacks offense won't be more explosive than their 9-5 campaign last year, when they were 8-1 and averaged 37 points with Mason at quarterback and 1-4 while averaging fewer than 20 points without him. First, look at him and watch his career highlights. Then, there's the stats. Perhaps you've memorized them, but in case you haven't: 6'4, 240 lb. At a recent practice, he reportedly ran at 22 miles per hour, which equates to roughly a 4.4 in the 40. The game stats: Last year, in nine games, he threw 15 touchdown passes and ran for six more while averaging 223 passing yards per game and nine yards per attempt. That's two yards more per attempt than the NFL average, meaning he completes passes downfield at a high level. Mason completed 65 percent of his passes, one percent higher than the NFL average. These stats weren't racked up against nothing but tomato cans. He was efficient and brilliant and clutch at Montana State, the eventual national champion. He won a shootout with the Walter Payton winner Beau Brungard at Youngstown. There was the nuking of New Hampshire in the playoffs. He had not played in six weeks after a foot injury that left him in a walking boot, and he was nearly perfect— 16 of 20 for 230, 3 TDs, 0 picks, just firing lasers in the snow. He threw for over 370 yards at Montana, the final No. 3 team, in the playoffs. Yet, to the Happy Hour host, none of those numbers as important as the one stat of Mason's that was glaringly low, yet needs to be lower for him to take home both individual and team national hardware in his last hurrah. The Happy Hour host reveals that one stat while second year SDSU coach Dan Jackson describes Mason's development during fall camp ahead of Saturday's game. Jackson also details: * Why some of SDSU's best veteran players sat out multiple August practices and what their status is for Saturday * Who is emerging to be the starting running back and backup quarterback * What is in place to prevent a collapse in what Jackson has stated to be a strong culture and chemistry in the program among players and coaches * What message legend John Stiegelmeier sent while speaking to the team recently * What about Stetson, the lowest-rated team in the FCS last year and a 47-point underdog Saturday, concerns the coaching staff After Jackson, Sioux Falls Jefferson coach Eric Struck—also in his second year at the helm— previews his Cavaliers, who finished as the No. 3 ranked team in South Dakota's largest high school class last year and is the preseason No.3 in the first media poll. Why does Struck prefer playing with two quarterbacks instead of one, and why will he handle the two-pronged attack differently this season? How much of a force will Lincoln transfer Devonte Wilson be at running back as the Cavs replace the JHS all-time leading rusher, Daeveon Simsonsen, and what can we expect of the usually blitz-happy defense of Ed Whiting?