The Woonsocket-Wessington Springs-Sanborn Central (W-WSSC) Bucks had a roller coaster year. With a rebrand of the team and a big 2025 graduating class, expectations were unknown coming into the year. From receiving one vote in the preseason polls to being ranked 3rd in the state towards the end of the year, the Bucks gave the fans a fun season to watch.
After losing star running back Hayes Havlik in the first game, the Bucks have been battling adversity the entire year.
“One surprise to me was how fast we all came together for one purpose” said Bucks Head Coach Michael Schmitz. “I felt at the beginning, we had a steep learning curve with new things being put in, but we were able to overcome those and have a successful season.”
Starting the year 3-0 they faced the defending champs, the Winner Warriors. They won the game 20-8 at home and faced the no. 3 Wagner Red Raiders next. In a big upset, the Bucks came away with the 13-6 win on homecoming.
They then went on to beat Miller-Highmore-Harrold and Chamberlin handily on the road before ending the regular season at home. The Bucks lost to Mount Vernon-Plankinton 6-30 to end the regular season 7-1.
The Bucks drew the Warriors once again in a rematch between the two teams. Winner had been much improved and was ready to face the Bucks once again on the road. Winner had sent home the Bucks last year ending their season in the quarterfinals.
After a hard-fought game the Warriors got their revenge and won the game 12-20, beating the Bucks in back-toback seasons. They now go face Clark-Willow Lake on the road this Thursday.
Despite a year filled with adversity, upsets, and standout moments, the W-WS-SC Bucks’ remarkable season came to a close with a tough playoff loss to Winner, capping off one of the program’s most exciting runs in recent history.