PHOTO OF THE DAY: NIGHT LIGHT

That’s Venus pictured in the upper righthand portion of the photo as players from Canistota/Freeman wait on the field following a timeout. Thursday night was was perfect football weather — cool, calm and crisp, although the players once again had to contend with a tough, wet playing surface.

For Pride fans, it was an especially fun night as the three-time defending champions took down Ipswich 14-0 to advance to the semifinals. 

Four teams remain in Class 9AA: No. 11 Canistota/Freeman and No. 3 Parkston and No. 9 Platte-Geddes and No. 5 Timber Lake. The top two seeds are out; the Pride upset No. 2 Florence/Henry last week and top-seed Hanson went down in overtime 26-24 to Platte-Geddes Thursday night.

Semifinals games will be held at the higher seeds next Friday, Nov. 5, with the winners advancing to the Class 9AA state championship at the DakotaDome in Vermillion Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.