Will Drake give the Coyotes the same fits the Bulldogs gave the Jackrabbits last week? Are Augustana and USF Vikings on a collision course for a "battle of undefeateds" in the Key to the City Game in two weeks? And can the Jefferson Cavaliers — now head coached by the man who called plays for Lincoln's back-to-back state championship juggernaut offenses — become just the second team to beat the Patriots in their last 27 games? Happy Hour host John and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer answer these questions over literal happy hour beer in their weekly "Thirsty Thursday Football Forecast" from downtown's Orion Pub, where the following games are on the docket: * Drake at USD * Augie at Bemidji State * USF at Duluth * High School: #1 Lincoln at #3 Jefferson Cheers!

Where did that come from?

L.J. Phillips burst seemingly out of nowhere to rumble for 301 yards in South Dakota's absolutely-had-to-have-this overtime win over Northern Colorado on Saturday. The backup running back to All-American Charles Pierre, Jr., to start the 2025 campaign came within seven yards of breaking Amos Allen's 18-year-old school record. Not bad for a first start! But it didn't come out of nowhere. Phillips had offers from Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and other Power Four squads by his junior year of high school at Wichita Northwest (Kansas). But a torn ACL in the playoffs that season made all those offers and Div. I recruiters vanish. Except USD. So, how did the redshirt sophomore get here? And in a day and age where players can — and so many do — jump ship to another school if they aren't named the starter, why did Phillips stay in Vermillion and stay in the stable to play behind a thoroughbread? Obviously, for a moment like Saturday. But there's a lot more to it, and to him. Enjoy this 35-minute chat with the smiling, engaging Phillips about his life, journey to and through USD, and... wait, he is a cousin of Chiefs legend Priest Holmes?!

He doesn't want to think about it. But how can he not?

Over the next two games at The Birdcage on Thursday and Friday (maybe Saturday), the Canaries all-time GOAT and American Association's career home run king Jabari Henry has a chance to deliver Sioux Falls its first American Association league championship in 17 years, and second ever in the mostly-futile 33-year history of the club.

The Birds are tied 1-1 with the Kane County Cougars (suburban Chicago), leaving a "best-of-three" scenario, with every game at The Birdcage for all the marbles.

Those two or three games might also be the last of Henry's record-setting, legendary career. In fact, the 34-year-old designated hitter told Happy Hour host John Gaskins this is likely it for not just him, but "half of the team."

It is likely now or never, a chance to go out on top and complete an unthinkable reclamation project that started in 2017, when Henry joined manager Mike Meyer in an organization that had one of the worst records, worst facilities, worst fields, and lowest budgets in the league.

Leave no doubt: Win or lose, Henry and the Birds — with a mix of grizzly independent league veterans and young talent that played college ball just a few years ago in Sioux Falls at both Augustana and USF — will go out swinging and go out smiling.

Henry takes us through that nine-season journey, which included a detour for a season to the crown jewel of the league, the St. Paul Saints, who left the league after the 2020 season to become the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

How did he pick up the pieces from an affiliated minor league career that was taking off, then crashed and burned, leaving him to pick up the pieces and join the independent ranks?

What turned him not just into "the most dangerous power hitter in the league, if not the league's history," according to Meyer, who has played or coached in the American Association for over 20 years?

How does he continue to hit legendary home runs in the tightest of clutch situations?

• In August, down to his Canaries' last strike on a night when the Birds had not mustered one hit in 11 innings, only to for Henry send a walk-off dinger over the opposite field wall
• In the deciding Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs at league leader Sioux City, when he blasted three homers in a Reggie Jackson-esque "Mr. September" performance
• In the deciding Game 5 of the second round, when he towered a three-run shot early and a grand slam late in an 11-2 route

And, where, oh, where did that infectious smile come from?

Thursday and Friday (and maybe Saturday) will likely be Sioux Falls' last chance to bask in that smile, if not see on last Bari Bomb for the ages.

Do the South Dakota Coyotes look like the national championship contender they plainly stated they wanted to be — and many FCS experts thought they would be — before this 2025 season started?

Nope. Far from it, as anyone who has watched their offensively-challenged 1-2 start can plainly see.

Why? Head coach Travis Johansen joined Happy Hour host John Gaskins for a deep dive into what is holding the Yotes back — particularly in the passing game — and what strides he is seeing to believe things will improve enough to perhaps still be in that national championship conversation by the end of the year.

How did running back L.J. Phillips burst for 301 yards — six yards shy of the USD single-game record set by Amos Allen's 307 in 2007 — in his first start after Charles Pierre's season-ending injury, a performance that earned Phillips the FCS Offensive Player of the Week honor?

How did Brock Woolf earn Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week, despite literally puking on the field during the game?

And, how does USD plan to combat a Drake offense that exploded early against South Dakota State with reserve quarterbacks? How can the Yotes offense attack a Bulldog defense that held the Jackrabbits to just two "explosive plays" in that 37-21 SDSU win.

Finally, Johansen will be opposite Joe Woodley, who coached with Johansen for several years at NAIA Grand View (Des Moines) until 2019, when Johansen left to become USD's defensive coordinator and Woodley became Grand View's head coach, starting a 72-5 run that led to the Drake gig.

What kind of pride and brotherhood does Johansen take with Woodley from having coached in the NAIA before both became Division I head coaches?

So far in this young football season, the Jackrabbits, Coyotes, and Vikings offenses — to varying degrees — continue to struggle to explode for big plays and satisfying full-game performances.

At times, they implode. In the Yotes and Vikings cases, for full games.

Gee, if only there was a local team to watch right now, in-person!, that has provided fireworks all season long, including a so-far spectacular postseason. Oh, wait, there is, and you don't even have to drive one to four hours to see them.

The Sioux Falls Canaries — highest-scoring, most home run-hitting in their league by far — are three wins away from their first American Association championship in 17 years and only their second league title in the 33-year modern inception of the club.

So far, they've averaged 10 runs in their five playoff wins, including victories of 7-2 and 11-2 in their two series-clinching win-or-go-home games, propelled by the Birds' best-ever player and league's all-time career home run king Jabari Henry's five total dingers in those two deciding games (three blasts to eliminate league leader Sioux City in the first round on the road, then a pair of homers including a grand slam and 8 RBI in The Birdcage to knock out Fargo-Moorhead).

So, before Happy Hour host John Gaskins and Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer break down the bummer offenses — to varying degrees! — of this region's three most popular football teams, they celebrate the culmination of what has been a 15-year climb up a Mt. Everest of rocky obstacles for the Canaries — once the league's worst and near-lowest-budget squad — just to return to the league finals.

Then, it's pick-apart time for 3-0 SDSU, 1-2 USD, and the 1-1 Vikings, their offenses, and their quarterbacks Chase Mason, Aidan Bouman, and J.J. McCarthy. How much of the team's struggles have been the field generals' faults, and where do we see things headed?

Is it unfair for Jacks fans to be unsettled if not complaining about "only" 37 points and "only" a 16-point win over a non-scholarship team? Is it five-alarm fire time for USD after narrowly escaping Northern Colorado and an 0-3 start?

What do we make of both the seven quarters of bumbling of young J.J. McCarthy (save from the amazing fourth quarter in Chicago, which counts for a lot) and the ankle injury that has sidelined him against Cincinnati, which gives journeyman and NDSU legend Carson Wentz his latest and maybe last-ever shot to return to his once-Pro Bowl form?

John and Matt answer these questions, then toast the Sanford International and its latest winner Retief Goosen. Finally, rumination on why the once-massive Sunday crowds have fizzled a bit in the eight-year-old event that shares crown jewel status in Sioux Falls with the Summit League Tournament.

Dan Jackson loves a good fight, and even more so loves one particular all-time world boxing champion.

The first-year South Dakota State football coach made it home from Saturday's underwhelming 37-21 win over Drake on Saturday night to watch fellow Omaha native Terrance "Bud" Crawford capture another world title via 12-round decision.

Before the Jackrabbits' home game, he showed his squad a Crawford highlight reel, feeling there is plenty to learn from the way Crawford fights and trains.

After the game, many SDSU fans were wondering how and why the Jacks failed to deliver a knockout blow of a non-scholarship team by halftime, like their 70-7 bludgeoning of Drake at Target Field in 2023. This included the 19,000-plus fans who spent most of the primetime Beef Bowl "on their hands" and making little noise, according to Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer.

With two national titles and five semifinal berths in the last five seasons, SDSU has become the kind of football program where a mere 3-0 start is not enough to absolve the players and coaches of any criticism or consternation — even if the roster has 67 new players (including new starters at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive line, and several other spots) an entirely new coaching staff.

Zimmer wrote about this after Saturday's game and put head coach Dan Jackson on the spot about it in the post-game press conference.

Less than 48 hours removed, Jackson dug deeper with more blow-for-blow breakdown with Happy Hour host John Gaskins.

• Beyond Drake's perceived improvement from two years ago, what are some beyond-surface reasons the Jacks took so many haymakers, particularly from a backup and then third-string quarterback?
• Why does SDSU land so few walloping "death blow" explosion plays on offense? The Jacks had just two over 16 yards.
• What do we make of quarterback Chase Mason through three games?
• Why does he mean by defenders needing to "do your job all the time," as he emphasized in the post-game presser?
• How will the bye week — coined "improvement week" by Jackson's mentor John Stiegelmeier years ago — be mapped out?
• Did Jackson make it home in time to see Bud Crawford's victory?

Veteran local college and prep TV analyst Kurtiss Riggs — the well-connected director of the Sanford Academy's football program and 11-time professional indoor championship coach of the Sioux Falls Storm — was on the TV call for SDSU's win and has his own thoughts on why the Jacks are productive but not explosive. Plus:

• Why is USD struggling more than SDSU with a bunch of new players?
• Chase Mason and Aidan Bouman through 3 games
• NDSU's dominance and UND's emergence on to MVFC/national scene
• Is Mark Gronowski at all to blame for Iowa's slow offensive start?
• His best friend Kalen DeBoer and Alabama: Are they OK? Is he OK?
• Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy — one has a bright future with his team. The other? Not so much. Here's why.

Before all that, a Gaskins "John-o-logue" that features breaking Monday news:

Wait, what?

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is ruled out (sprained ankle) for Minnesota's game on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Kevin O'Connell cited an ankle sprain.

Can we take this injury at face value or is it a "soft benching" as Minnesota picks up the pieces from a brutal loss to Atlanta and faces a Bengals squad without Joe Burrow, who was also hurt on Sunday and will miss at least three months with turf toe?

John leans on the football I.Q. of Riggs to speculate why McCarthy truly won't play, and how Minnesota will fare with Carson Wentz as the starter.

The Vikings' start to the 2025 slate looks and feels a lot like both South Dakota State and South Dakota, particularly all three teams' home games over the weekend, even though the Jackrabbits and Coyotes were victorious and the Vikings were flattened by the Falcons.

But what do the Jacks and Vikings have in their favor to keep fans optimistic that the Yotes don't have?

Wait, what?

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is ruled out (sprained ankle) for Minnesota's game on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Kevin O'Connell cited an ankle sprain.

Can we take this injury at face value or is it a "soft benching" as Minnesota picks up the pieces from a brutal loss to Atlanta and faces a Bengals squad without Joe Burrow, who was also hurt on Sunday and will miss at least three months with turf toe?

Happy Hour host John Gaskins leans on the football I.Q. of local analyst Kurtiss Riggs to speculate why McCarthy truly won't play, and how Minnesota will fare with Carson Wentz as the starter.

The Vikings start to the 2025 slate looks and feels a lot like both South Dakota State and South Dakota, particularly all three teams' home games over the weekend, even though the Jackrabbits and Coyotes were victorious and the Vikings were flattened by the Falcons.

But what do the Jacks and Vikings have in their favor to keep fans optimistic that the Yotes don't have?

Meanwhile, the Sioux Falls Canaries are three wins from their first league championship in 17 years and are in a league finals for the first time since 2010. Why? Because the legend of Jabari Henry somehow continues to grow. Did you see what he did in yet another winner-take-all playoff game on Saturday night, for the second Saturday night in a row?

Every Monday during the football season, Happy Hour host John Gaskins will be joined for a breakdown of local football at all levels with veteran local college and prep TV analyst Kurtiss Riggs — the well-connected director of the Sanford Academy's football program and 11-time professional indoor championship coach of the Sioux Falls Storm. This week's topics:

• South Dakota State's 37-21 over non-scholarship Drake and why Jacks aren't delivering many haymakers or knockout punches in 3-0 start
• Why is USD struggling more than SDSU with a bunch of new players?
• Chase Mason and Aidan Bouman through 3 games
• NDSU's dominance and UND's emergence on to MVFC/national scene
• Is Mark Gronowski at all to blame for Iowa's slow offensive start?
• His best friend Kalen DeBoer and Alabama: Are they OK? Is he OK?
• Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy — one has a bright future with his team. The other? Not so much. Here's why.

Dan Jackson loves a good fight, and even more so loves one particular all-time world boxing champion.

The first-year South Dakota State football coach made it home from Saturday's underwhelming 37-21 win over Drake on Saturday night to watch fellow Omaha native Terrance "Bud" Crawford capture another world title via 12-round decision.

Before the Jackrabbits home game, he showed his squad a Crawford highlight reel tape, feeling there is plenty to learn from the way Crawford fights and trains for bouts.

After the game, many SDSU fans were wondering how and why the Jacks failed to deliver a knockout blow of a non-scholarship team by halftime, like their 70-7 bludgeoning of Drake at Target Field in 2023. This included the 19,000-plus fans who spent most of the primetime Beef Bowl "on their hands" and making little noise, according to Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer.

With two national titles and five semifinal berths in the last five seasons, SDSU has become the kind of football program where a mere 3-0 start is enough to absolve the players and coaches of any criticism or consternation — even if the roster has 67 new players (including new starters at QB, RB, WR and several other spots) an entirely new coaching staff.

Zimmer wrote about this after Saturday's game and put head coach Dan Jackson on the spot about it in the post-game press conference.

Less than 48 hours removed, coach Dan Jackson dug deeper with more blow-for-blow breakdown with Happy Hour host John Gaskins.

• Beyond Drake's perceived improvement from two years ago, what are some beyond-surface reasons the Jacks the Jacks took so many haymakers, particularly from a backup and then third-string quarterback?
• Why does SDSU land so few walloping "death blow" explosion plays on offense? The Jacks had just two over 16 yards.
• What do we make of quarterback Chase Mason through three games?
• Why does he mean by defenders needing to "do your job all the time," as he emphasized in the post-game presser?
• How will the bye week — coined "improvement week" by Jackson's mentor John Stiegelmeier years ago — be mapped out?
• Did Jackson make it home in time to see Bud Crawford's victory?

It's good to be South Dakota State football legend John Stiegelmeier these days, now in his third football season as a retiree. And it's a treat to spend an hour with him to catch up.

The football program he toiled for 35 years and eventually turned into an FCS national champion celebrated a monster road win at Montana State on Saturday, and he is ever proud of his former assistants Dan Jackson, Eric Eidsness, and Brian Bergstrom running the show.

He also beams with pride and enjoys watching former assistants leading other Div. I programs — Jimmy Rogers (Washington State), Jason Eck (New Mexico), Clark Lea (Vanderbilt), Zach Lujan (Northwestern offensive coordinator), and Josh Davis (Fresno State offensive coordinator).

Plus, he had time to take trips in recent months to New Mexico and Nashville to visit and observe what Eck and Lea are building, and to Northwestern to watch Lujan and former SDSU prized wideout Griffin Wilde in spring ball.

Then, there's his upcoming induction into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday night, his daily morning devotional and walking rituals, gardening, staying connected to former players, helping raise money for the SDSU Foundation, and most importantly, spending more time with wife Laurie and grandkids.

Luckily for us, he spent a warm, engaging hour of conversation with Happy Hour host John Gaskins about all this, offering a breadth of insight into all these topics.

Walk with him on the field during SDSU practice, and his favorite things to observe about the current Jacks players and coaches. Join him at Eck's and Lea's practices and offices for a glimpse. And, yes, sit next to him on the couch as he analyzes Jimmy Rogers' Washington State program and its 16 former Jacks. Do Stig and Jimmy still talk?

Then, there's his perspective on the death of SDSU running back Nate White, an anecdote back to a similar situation during Stig's coaching days, and his view on Mark Gronowski's struggles at Iowa.

So, whip up a cup of coffee and kick your feet up with Stig.

BEFORE ALL THAT...

John and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer — who specializes in high school and Div. II (Augustana and USF) sports coverage — belly up at Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls for their weekly "Thirsty Thursday Football Forecast," featuring this week's slate of local prep and college games:

• Northern Colorado at South Dakota
• Drake at South Dakota State
• Sioux Falls at Bemidji State
• Augustana at Mary
• Dakota Bowl — #2 Brandon Valley at #5 O'Gorman
• #1 Lincoln vs Roosevelt
• #3 Jefferson vs Washington
• 11A state championship rematch — #2 Lennox at #1 SF Christian

What didn't look like a big game on the schedule before the season kicked off is all of a sudden a massive game for the South Dakota Coyotes.

Now 0-2 after an ugly road loss at unranked Lamar in which USD mustered just three second half points, the Coyotes finally get a home game in the comfy confines of the Dakota Dome against an unranked FCS team that was 1-11 last year.

But Northern Colorado had FBS Colorado State beat on a touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining before it was called back last week, and the Bears sport a stingy defense that could give the sputtering Yotes offense more fits. So, not only does Saturday appear to be a challenging win for the Yotes — who are a 4-point favorite — it is also a must win if USD

Oh, did we mention All-America running back Charles Pierre, Jr., is out for the season with a knee injury? How does USD overcome all this?