Nov. 4—KIMBALL, S.D. — For the Kimball/White Lake football team, having two dynamic playmakers in the backfield has made all the difference this season.
And with the Wildkats preparing for a semifinal matchup with Bennett County on Friday, juniors Chevy Fees and Carter Konechne have been at the center of a memorable season and playoff run.
“They’re alike, but yet they’re different. They’re very explosive in their own ways,” KWL head coach Ryan Skluzak said. “Chevy can cut on a dime and change direction quickly, but Carter’s more of a make one cut and get downhill. They complement each other that way. They both can run you over and outrun you. Not many nine-man teams have the ability to have two solid options at running back. And we’re fortunate that if one needs a break, the other one can step in and be ready to play.”
That combination has helped fuel the Wildkats to a 7-3 record and a spot in the Class 9A semifinal round as the No. 8 seed. KWL is riding a four-game winning streak, outscoring its opponents by an average of 35 points per game during that stretch.
The quarterfinal victory was the biggest of the season, as the Wildkats knocked off No. 1-seeded Timber Lake in dominant fashion, shutting out the then-undefeated Panthers 38-0 to punch their ticket to the semifinals. Now, with a trip to the DakotaDome and a spot in the state championship game on the line, KWL will face No. 5 Bennett County at 7 p.m. Friday in Martin.
Much of the Wildkats’ success has been built around the production of Fees and Konechne, who have established themselves as the team’s top-two offensive threats while making big contributions defensively.
Konechne leads the Wildkats with 965 rushing yards on 127 carries, averaging 7.6 yards per carry with 15 touchdowns. Fees isn’t far behind with 765 yards on 99 carries, averaging 7.73 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns. Combined, the two juniors have accounted for 27 rushing touchdowns through 10 games. Also, Fees leads the team through the air with 351 receiving yards on 22 catches and six touchdowns, while Konechne has added 161 yards on 10 receptions.
Their production has also helped KWL establish a significant advantage on the ground. The Wildkats have accumulated 2,458 rushing yards this season while allowing just 1,197 yards.
“It just gives the defense another thing to think about, and it helps give you a break, too,” Konechne said. “Some of these teams only have one person that’s carrying the workload, and by the fourth quarter they’re exhausted. But with the way we do it, we’re both fresh by the end of the game.”
While the offensive numbers have been impressive, the defensive impact has been vital, too.
Konechne has been a leader on defense at linebacker, pacing the Wildkats with 71 total tackles, including 45 solo stops. He has also recorded five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, along with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Fees has been equally important in the secondary, ranking fourth on the team with 49 total tackles, while adding an interception and two fumble recoveries. Frequently tasked with covering opposing teams’ No. 1 receivers, Fees has embraced that responsibility.
“I just try to play confident and make sure I have my teammates back on defense as much as I do on offense,” Fees said. “I take pride in being on the field as much as possible, so they count on me just as much as I count on them.”
For Fees, his journey to becoming one of KWL’s most important players began with a change of scenery. After transferring from Chamberlain as an eighth grader, he quickly found a home within the Wildkats’ program and community.
“Ever since I came here, it has felt like I’ve been here my whole life,” Fees said. “I got along with everybody here, and it’s just a great community. They gave me a shot, and it’s been awesome.
“We’ve all played with each other since seventh grade, and been pretty much the same team since then, and we all know each other like brothers,” Konechne added. “It’s not just me and Chevy, our entire team is special.”
Skluzak has seen that connection translate into leadership, with both juniors setting an example for their teammates through their play and approach to the game.
“That junior class is pretty big, including those two, and they’re very humble but yet they’re good leaders,” Skluzak said. “They use their voice in a positive way. They’re able to engage with their teammates and keep everybody fired up. And when things go sideways, they’re not ever blaming anybody.”
With both players still juniors, the Wildkats have the opportunity to build on what they have accomplished this season. But their immediate focus is on the opportunity in front of them with a chance to move one step closer to a state championship appearance.
The 38-point shutout over Timber Lake has given KWL plenty of momentum, but Skluzak knows the work is far from finished.
“The win over Timber Lake is a huge program win. That’s something you can build off going forward,” Skluzak said. “To make a statement going up there against the No. 1 seed, and to be able to shut a high explosive offense like that out, that’s just a great win for our team. But we can’t be satisfied and it’s time to worry about Bennett County.”
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