SPEARFISH, S.D. — The future of Spearfish Spartans football continues to grow stronger.
A total of 30 eighth-grade student-athletes officially signed to join the Spearfish Spartans football program during this year’s Signing Day ceremony, with three additional players verbally committing, bringing the total to 33 future Spartans. The number marks a noticeable increase from last year’s class of 26 signees, signaling continued momentum for the program.
Now in its sixth year, the Signing Day event has become a staple of Spearfish football culture. The tradition was originally started by current Spearfish Athletic Director Dalton Wademan and has continued under Head Coach Tom Tieszen, who has now led the event for the past three years.
For Tieszen, the continued growth is about more than just numbers.
“It’s phenomenal seeing the support, and that’s a testament to our athletes doing the right things on the field and our coaches doing the right thing in the community and people wanting to be a part of Spartan Football,” Tieszen said.
The increasing participation reflects both the program’s culture and its rising reputation across the region. With more athletes entering the program, the Spartans are building the kind of depth that defines long-term success at the high school level.
“It’s a fun problem to have, having this many kids come out for football,” Tieszen said. “Being able to start to plan out who gets to play where and be able to have kids be more specific as far as more numbers, makes you look at great programs like Yankton and Pierre, and having that depth is crucial for having long-term success.”
Beyond the ceremony itself, the event served as an introduction to what it means to be a Spartan. The incoming players toured key parts of the program, including the weight room and Tieszen’s classroom, where film sessions take place. They also met coaches and began learning the expectations and standards that define Spearfish football.
The emphasis on development, culture, and accountability continues to be a cornerstone of the program — and with another strong incoming class, the foundation for the future appears firmly in place.
As the Spartans look ahead, the combination of growing numbers, community support, and a clear vision from the coaching staff positions Spearfish to continue building a competitive and sustainable football program for years to come.