RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota Mines  will host to the 135th Black Hills Brawl between the Hardrockers and Black Hills State Yellow Jackets on Dunham Field at O'Harra Stadium in a 5 p.m. game.

"It's an exciting time for our program with it being game week," said Hardrocker football head coach Charlie Flohr during a press conference on Wednesday. "I am very proud of our kids and how they've shown up for practice all week. They have come out every day and tried to make our football team better."
 
The Black Hills Brawl
It is the oldest rivalry in NCAA Div. II football with the Homestake Trophy on the line. The Yellow Jackets took the prize a year ago but South Dakota Mines still hold the series lead 63-60-11.
 
Captains
Last week the Hardrocker football program named its six captains for the 2020 season as voted on by the team. Ahmad Lewis, Jack Batho IV and Ira Murphey are the offensive captains while Dominick Jackson, Michael Retland and Kyante Christian are the defensive captains.
 
"We are really proud of those six kids," Flohr said. "These captains were selected by their teammates. We used fall camp this year to allow them to show what leaders we have. I am really excited for those guys."

A look at the Jackets
The Yellow Jackets are looking to bounce back after going 3-8 in 2019. A year ago, Black Hills State struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position. The starting job is likely to come down to redshirt sophomore Chance Eben or junior Tyler Hammons after both made at least seven appearances. Whoever wins the job will get the benefit of having a steady top target in senior Kielar Harpham (729 yards, six touchdowns in 2019). 

BHSU is under direction of new head coach Josh Breske, a former Yellow Jacket himself. From 2005-09 he was a standout member of the BHSU offensive line, starting all four years, and garnering three DAC All-Conference awards and two NAIA All-American honors. The two-time captain led his team to two DAC championships and two NAIA playoff appearances. Breske returns to BHSU after serving for three years as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Lindenwood University. He capped his three-year stint with the Lions with a second round NCAA DII playoff berth and a 9-4 record in his final year.

"He comes from winning. He's been in that culture that I have had the opportunity to be in as well. I know his team is going to come out and compete and play hard for 60 minutes," Flohr said. "In a rivalry game you wouldn't expect anything different. They will be very well coached."
 
Players To Watch
South Dakota Mines has an exciting player in running back Ahmad Lewis. He led the RMAC in rushing, averaging 125.9 yards per game last year to go along with nine touchdowns. He also set the single season record for rushing yards in a season 1,385 Johannsen transfers in from North Dakota State, and if we know anything about the Bison it's that they know a thing or two about QBs. For Black Hills State, Chance Eben will be back under center and he will have tight end Jarret Jenson back, who caught a touchdown in last year's Black Hills Brawl.
 

"Having Ahmad back is something we can hang our hat on. Coming into a program, I am very blessed to have a player like that," Flohr said. "He had an outstanding season last year and everyone knows that he will be a play-maker."

Other top returners
Other top returners, include kicker Enis Sefa, who led the team in scoring last year with 66 points; Cole Peterson and Will Carol on the defensive side of the ball who paced the rockers with 114 tackles and 66 respectively. Adrian Eastman will also continue to shine on the defensive side.

Offensively, Murphey, Carson Hunt, Anthony Ullrich,  Alec Van Horn and Collin Zur all have a talent for catching the football. Look for the 'Rockers to have a great balance between the run and pass. The offensive line should also be stellar this season with the like of Batho, Grant Smith, Austin Roth and Quentin Galuteria-Soares.

 "We have to trust our fundamental and trust our coaching and come out and play with great attitude and effort. We know through the course of the game that we will have to make adjustments."

Game time
Saturday's game is slated for a 5 p.m. kickoff and will be streamed live on the Hardrocker Network at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/sdsmt/ .