SIOUX FALLS — For most teams a two loss season would have been a successful year. For the 2025 Lincoln Patriots it fell short of expectations with each of their defeats coming at the hands of Brandon Valley, the last a 34-27 setback in the 11AAA State Title game that cost them a shot at their third straight championship. ADVERTISEMENTThough the Patriots lose a significant amount of offensive weapons from that team to graduation they return perhaps South Dakota’s ULTIMATE weapon in their quarterback, SDSU commit Brody Schafer. Yet the difference in returning to the top may rest in whether a young defense can grow and improve after one of the worst seasons in Jared Fredenburg’s tenure. In our continuing preview series Zach Borg talks with Fredenburg, Schafer and Isaac Krempges about the year ahead and gets to the bottom of some fun Schafer family drama too!