The playoffs are here for football! Many teams around the state start their postseason while others have a bye and will begin their playoffs on Saturday. Last week in my picks, I went 8-1 to improve to 47-19 overall, but it’s a new season! Buffalo, Monticello, and Annandale all received byes, and STMA opens up at Osseo on Friday, so we will have their preview later this week. Good luck to all the teams!
All games are Tuesday night and start at 7 PM unless noted. Schedule, subject to change.
4AA, #5 Maple Lake (5-3) @ #4 Norwood Young America (4-4)
What a turnaround season for the Irish, going 5-3, and ending a 34-game losing streak at the start of the season. Danny Reilly is a bull with the ball at RB, and the defense has improved dramatically. Although it’s been a great turnaround as mentioned, the Irish have lost two of three coming in and the offense has sputtered in two of the last three games. For NYA, despite a 4-4 record they are a very solid team. Six times the Raiders have held teams under 21 points, and with a very tough schedule, 4-4 is nothing to sneeze at.
My Pick: It would be great for the Irish to cap this great year with a playoff win, but with the Raiders tough D and the passing combo of Dane Pauly, QB,and Brayden Dent (17.1 ypc), and a tougher schedule, I’m going with the Raiders. Great season comes to an end for Maple Lake, 34-18.
Dane Pauly, above, can beat you with both the pass and the run for NYA.
2AAA
#6 Watertown-Mayer (2-6) @ #3 Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (6-2)
This has been a great season for the Lakers who have won six straight against a brutal schedule. They have a power back in Jaxon Ewert (8 TD’s) and quick back in Raydon Graham. The Lakers also have a strong front seven on D and an O line that can open holes. For the Royals, they started 2-0 but have lost six straight. Be wary though Lakers, WM has hung tough with Holy Family, Jordan, and Howard Lake WW, all top three seeds in the section in the last four weeks.
My pick: This game represents a matchup problem for the Lakers. The Royals have a lefty QB, Matthew Isakson, who can really sling it, and 6’3 WR Isaac Ostile to throw too, and WM gave the Lakers fits in a 28-21 loss just a few weeks back. This time, I think the Lakers solve the Royals, and win a bit easier, 28-14.
Watertown-Mayer, above, in white, has lost six straight heading into the sections.
2AAA
#5 Glencoe Silver Lake (3-5) @ #4 Dassel-Cokato (5-4)
DC came into last week on a roll, winning four straight and running everyone over with its power running game behind Isaac Salmen, Jackson Nyquist, and Elijah Torola. Last week though, the Chargers came crashing back down to earth with a 38-8 loss to their rivals from Litchfield. The Dragons rushed for over 500 yards in that game. GSL is much improved since I saw them against Annandale in week 2. Last four weeks the Panthers have shutout Rockford, lost a close game to Jordan, 29-26, and last week defeated W-Mayer, 34-19.
My pick: GSL has relied on its physical play from lineman Trevor and Tyler Engelman and Gael Hernandez to improve its play down the stretch. The good news is that is also DC’s strength, and they have more of it! Chargers, 34-16.
The crowds are coming back this season with the improvement by the GSL football team.
2AAA
#7 Rockford (1-7) @ #2 Jordan (5-3)
The Hubmen, just like DC came into last week rolling, but ran into a freight train in Annandale, as the Cards rolled 38-7. For Jordan though they still got the #2 seed and have won five of their last six, and are very good in close games, going 4-0. For Rockford, they have a very solid defense but have a hard time scoring or moving the ball. In fact, the Rockets have only scored 15 points in the last four games! Another problem for Rockford is they are 0-3 in close games.
My Pick: I have seen both these teams, and there isn’t much of a difference! Jordan won the early season matchup, 25-14 and believe the Hubman with their athletic QB, and ultra quick RB have the slight edge. Tell you what though, if Max Landman can make plays out of the pocket and hit Sean Asangwe deep, while Bradley Graunke can power through the Jordan D line, I think the Rockets have a chance! Hubmen, 20-14.
Jordan, above, has won five of six coming into the Sections.
6AAAA
#6 Big Lake (2-6) @ #3 Delano (5-3)
Forget last week for Delano, a 39-3 loss to #4AAAA Stewartville. This is a good Tigers team, and they proved it the week before with their monster upset over Orono, 26-21. Bryce Beyer has hit his stride at RB, while the defense remains tough to move against. For Big Lake, the Hornets started the season, 2-0, and have some playmakers in QB Dillon Spaeth (137 passing yards pg), and RB Carter Stromberg (96 ypg and 9 TD’s.), but lost their last six thanks to a porous defense.
The Pick: Delano won the early season matchup, 28-6, while rushing for over 450 yards! The Tigers have been improving all year, while the Hornets have gone south quickly. Tigers win again, this time it’s worse, 34-6.
Big Lake, in white, started off 2-0, but has dropped six straight games.
