Picking the first week is always tough, but I was ok with going 5-3, my only regret was not picking Maple Lake! I knew they had a great chance to break their thirty-six game losing streak, but I still picked Menahga by one, my bad, but congrats to the Irish! Here are my week two picks.
All games start at 7 PM on Friday night, September 5th.
Monticello (1-0) @Alexandria (0-1).
The Magic rolled in week one over SRR, behind a strong running game led by Cale Holthaus (167 yards and a TD), while limiting the Storm to 57 yards on the ground. This week the challenge is Talen Witt and his top target Thomas Hinrichs. The Cards like to throw the ball around the yard. Monti should be able to run to set up the pass for Carson Deibele and also make the Cards one dimensional giving the Magic the edge.
Predicted score: 28-20, Magic.
Above, Alex celebrates a TD in their opening game loss last week. Expect the Cards to put the ball in the air a lot on Friday against the Magic.
Howard Lake (0-1) @Dassel-Cokato (1-0).
The Lakers lost a tough one to Jordan last week as their secondary had a hard time with the Hubman. The good news is DC doesn’t throw the ball. The bad news is they can still run it! Last week So., Nyquist scored three TDs for the Chargers on the ground and their defense shut down Rockford after the first quarter. This game will be won in the trenches which is the strength of both teams. Should be a good one.
Predicted Score: DC 27, Howard Lake WW 21.
It’s a porkchop feed honoring Nolan Henke tonight. Henke played football for the Chargers, graduating last year, but tragically passed away last week.
Cooper (0-1) @Buffalo (0-1). Listen to this game live at AM1360 KRWC, krwc1360.com and on our app.
The Bison suffered tough 28-27 road loss at Brainerd last week and will look to bounce back against the Hawks. Grant Benson was great at QB for the Bison last week contributing over 400 yards of total offense for Buffalo, he was hurt at the end of the game so keep an eye on that. Reiker Wignes a Jr. is the backup. The Hawks lost all everything Emmanual Karmo from last year’s team as Karmo is playing for the Gophers now but still have a dynamic passing game. Can the Bison run the ball and stop the pass on D? That’s the key.
Predicted Score: Buffalo Bison 35, Cooper Hawks 20.
Amari Davison, above with the ball, is a key running back for the Hawks offense.
Rockford (0-1) @ Watertown Mayer (1-0).
This is an interesting matchup. The Rockets scored early last week then faded late against DC. They have a nice combo at QB and WR with Ladman throwing to Sean Asangwe, but struggle running the football. ON the other side the Royals have been gradually improving the last couple years, and after going 5-5 last year, blew out Milaca, 34-8 last week. I expect this one to be a close contest with the team that can throw the ball better in the win will get the tight victory.
Predicted Score: 28-16, Royals.
Rockford, above in green, will need better pass protection then last week to defeat Watertown Mayer on Friday.
Annandale (1-0) @ Glencoe SL (0-1)
Last week the Cards proved they are maybe the top team in AAA as Michael Kovall, Braylon Fobbe and Grady Miller combined for eight TD passes in a 54-6 rout of Little Falls. The Panthers should be a tougher test than that as they are a much more physical team then the Flyers were. GSL lost their opening game against Foley last week, 27-12 but were competitive. They have some front-end talent, but very little depth. The wind could help the Panthers a little bit but trust me the Cards can run the ball too. Should be better competition than last week for Annandale, but Cards still have the edge.
Predicted Score: Annandale 34, GSL 14.
Glencoe Silver Lake, above, will host Annandale on Friday night.
Minnetonka (1-0) @STMA (0-1)
In the past this would be one of the games of the night in the state, but STMA has fallen on hard times while the Skippers are coming off a state championship game appearance in AAAAAA. The Skippers return Caleb Francois maybe the best back in the state who rushed for 176 yards and 3 TD’s last week. On the other side the Knights offense was limited to 189 total yards with two turnovers, and three sacks allowed. I don’t really see a way that the Knights can compete with the Skippers unless they take care of the ball and find a running game.
Predicted Score: 41-14, Skippers.
Caleb Francois, above #2, moved to Running back this season after leading the Skippers to the state championship game last year as a quarterback.
Providence (0-1) @ Delano (1-0).
I really liked what I saw for Delano last week in a 20-7 win at Detroit Lakes. The new coaching staff has them getting back to running the ball and playing defense! Delano rushed for 166 yards with 5.9 yards per carry in their win over the Lakers. Providence presents a problem with its passing game. JJ Rooney threw for 261 yards in last week’s 49-20 loss to Zimmerman. The Tigers should be able to run at will against the Lions as Zimmerman netted 499 yards rushing with 7 TD’s last week against Providence. The Lions could present a few problems passing the ball, but I like Delano in this one.
Predicted Score: Delano 34, Providence 18.
JJ Rooney, above #7, threw for over 250 yards last week in the Lions loss to Zimmerman.
Maple Lake (1-0) @ Ashby (0-1).
First off congrats to Maple Lake on ending their 36-game losing streak last week with a win over Menahga, 30-24. Now can they build on that momentum? Absolutely. The Irish showed last week they can put points on the board while Ashby lost a close one to Otter Tail Central, 22-18. For the second straight week I feel like the Irish can not only be competitive but could start the season 2-0. It’s incredible what confidence can do for a team yet saying all that I still think Ashby has just a little bit more. Sorry Maple Lake, hope I am wrong again!
Predicted Score: Ashby 34, Maple Lake 22.
The Maple Lake Irish, above, picked up their first win in football since 2021 last week over Menahga.
