Records are from last season.
Thursday, August 28th. Menagha (1-8) @ Maple Lake (0-9), 6 PM.
The Irish who have lost thirty straight have a great chance to pick up their first win since 2021 in week 1. Menagha last year scored one or fewer TDs in five of nine games and gave up 40 or more five times. Maple Lake scored one or fewer TD’s in eight of nine games and gave up 40 or more seven times. Best chance for the Irish to win a game this year comes in week one!
Prediction: Menagha 13, Maple Lake 12.
Menagha, above in black, won one game last year vs. Red Lake.
Thursday, August 28th. Dassel-Cokato (11-2) at Rockford (2-7), 7 PM.
DC reached the state championship game last year in AAA, while Rockford lost four of five down the stretch. The Rockets have some weapons on offense in Graunke, and Aswange, but DC has a stout defense and will lean on its running game.
Prediction: DC 27, Rockford 6.
DC, above, reached the state championship game last year in AAA and open up against Rockford on Thursday night.
Thursday, August 28th. STMA (4-6) at Champlin Park (4-6), 6 PM.
Both teams need a win in week one! After down years last season for both teams a win would mean a lot in week 1. STMA won a defensive battle last season, 14-7. The difference this season could be Rebels RB Preston Nelson, in what should be another defensive battle.
Prediction: Champlin Park 17, STMA 14.
STMA, above in white, won last year’s matchup with Champlin Park, 14-7. Expect another close game Thursday.
Friday, August 29th. Delano (2-7) at Detroit Lakes (5-4)
I expect Delano to be a much-improved team this season led by RB Damon Clare. Meanwhile the Lakers a traditional power in AAA were just average last season. I like Delano to be a much better team this season, but it will take a few weeks to show it with a new coach.
Prediction: Detroit Lakes 20, Delano 14.
Detroit Lakes, above, upset Rocori in the playoffs last season and hope to defeat Delano on opening night this season.
Friday, August 29th. Jordan (5-5) at Howard Lake WW (6-4), 7 PM.
The Lakers where red hot down the stretch last season and will get Zach Murphy back this year on the D line. Meanwhile the Hubman are breaking in a lot of new players, but they are talented. Lakers have the week one advantage.
Predicted Score: Howard Lake WW 27, Jordan 14.
Jordan, above in gold, will rely on a tough offensive line in their opener vs. Howard Lake WW on Friday night.
Friday, August 29th. Monticello (8-3) at Sauk Rapids Rice (5-5), 7 PM.
The Magic finished the season strong last year and return a lot of talented players, while the Storm didn’t live up to expectations last season. Alex Zimmer is a stud QB for the Storm, but Monti won last year, 29-0. I don’t see any reason why the Magic shouldn’t roll.
Predicted Score: Monticello 36, Sauk Rapids Rice 14.
Sauk Rapids Rice, above in gold, will rely on their passing game to try and upset Monti on Friday night.
Friday, August 29th. Buffalo (5-4) at Brainerd (5-5), 7 PM.
This game is a tossup. The Bison have a strong passing game, but the run game is suspect. Brainerd is very young but has a difference maker in Jayden Barnum who rushed for 800 yards last season with 9 TD’s, and he will make the difference.
Predicted Score: Brainerd 29, Buffalo 22.
The Bison will have to stop Jayden Barnum, above, if they want to get an opening game victory on the road at Brainerd.
Friday, August 29th. Little Falls (3-7) at Annandale (10-2), 7 PM on AM1360 KRWC, krwc1360.com and on our app.
This could be a tricky game for Annandale. The Flyers have a good QB and played a tough schedule last season, while Annandale is rebuilding their secondary. Bottom line, the Cards have to many weapons for the Flyers.
Predicted Score: Annandale 34, Little Falls 14.
Little Falls, above, has a lot of new guys to work into the offense this year as they lost nine starters on that side of the ball.
