SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University football team enters the 2019 season looking to make a splash in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The motivated team is ready to respond to adversity and achieve their goals.

The team has been selected to finish ninth in the RMAC according to the conference coaches. The Green and Gold are led by head coach John Reiners, who is entering his eighth year at the helm. The team will work with a new offensive coordinator, Mitch Dahlen, this year, while coach Kerr remains the defensive coordinator.   

Thirteen starters from a year ago return in 2019. On the defensive side of the ball, five Yellow Jackets are back, led by seniors Jarrell Ganaway and Josh Gurnaby. Ganaway, who is transitioning to the defensive line, had five sacks and two interceptions last year, while also making 66 total tackles. Gurnaby, a defensive back, had 87 tackles last season along with two interceptions, and is expected to act as a leader on the field.

Offensively, eight starters return, including all five offensive lineman. Khiry Keith, Keith Marson, Sam Ambrogio, Adum Burtschi, and Joseph Moraga have much needed experience to create protection for running back Payten Gilmore in the backfield. Gilmore returns for his senior season after rushing for 793 yards a year ago, scoring nine touchdowns. Also back are receivers Kielar Harpham, who caught 42 passes for 379 yards, and Jordan Pace, who had 33 catches for 324 yards.

With four-year starting quarterback Ryan Hommel graduating following the 2018 season, a battle for the starting position has been ongoing during the preseason.  

In addition to the large group of returners, a number of redshirt freshman will be fighting for playing time after learning the Yellow Jacket system last year. The Green and Gold will also be helped by some experienced transfers who will make an impact as they come directly into the squad.

The Yellow Jackets open the season with a night game at home. BHSU welcomes Chadron State College September 7 at 6 p.m. in Lyle Hare Stadium. The game is one of two night games for the Green and Gold, and will be the first game under the lights at home since 2010. BHSU will also host South Dakota School of Mines at 6 p.m. on October 12.

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Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.

---BHSUAthletics.com---