Semifinal Saturday is here in the state of Minnesota, and the Wright County Conference still has seven teams playing! Tuesday, I went 5-0 and overall, I am 52-19 on the season. Below are my picks for Saturday. Good luck to all the teams!
Order of picks go by scheduled game times. All games are subject to change.
Friday, October 24th.
Class AAAAAA First Round.
STMA (3-5) @ Osseo (4-4), 6 PM. You can hear this game on AM1360 KRWC, krwc1360.com and on our app. Pregame begins at 5:30 PM,
The Knights started off the season 1-5 but was playing good football even before winning their last two over Moorhead, and Hopkins. The reason for the turnaround is the improved play of QB Ty Haring, and RB Wyatt Mosher has rushed for over 100 yards in four of the last five games. For Osseo, they have lost three of four coming in, but all were against elite teams. The one win came over a very good Andover team, 23-21.
The Pick: The Knights have won two straight, while Osseo has lost three of four, but I’m taking the home team in a thriller, led by RB Mickey Criswell (108 ypg, and 8 TDs on the season.) Orioles, 28-27.
Mickey Criswell, above, leads a balanced Orioles offense.
Saturday, October 25th.
Section 7AAAAA Semifinals.
#3 St. Francis (6-3) @ #1 Monticello (7-1). 1 PM.
The Magic have been on fire winning six straight. Last week the Magic rolled up 396 yards rushing in a dominant win. Cale Holthaus led the way with 180 yards rushing. For St. Francis they come into the game winners of four out of their last five, including a 41-15 win over Duluth East in the first round. The Saints are led by QB Tanner Rothbauer, who’s favorite target is David Downs. The Magic won the regular season matchup, 3015.
The Pick: Monti didn’t pass for a single yard last week, but they didn’t need to as their run game was dominant. For the Saints Rothbauer hit Downs for two TDs in the Saints first game vs. Monti and it was tight throughout. It’s playoff time, and the more physical teams take over this time of year and that is Monti. Magic, 32-14.
St. Francis, above, will need to have a strong passing game if they want to upset Monticello on Saturday.
Section 6AAAAA Semifinals.
#3 Armstrong (5-4) @ #2 Buffalo (5-3), 1 PM. You can hear this game on AM1360 KRWC, krwc1360.com and on our app. The pregame starts at 12:30 PM.
The Bison are 2-2 in their last four games with blowout wins over lesser opponents, and blowout losses to Monti and Spring Lake Park, so it’s hard to tell where Buffalo is at going into the Sections. One big loss for Buffalo was Hans Pederson, who is out, and most likely not play again this season due to an injury. Hans is head to West Point to play for Army next fall. For the Falcons have been up and down all season, but have an excellent QB in Gabe Hall, who has tossed 12 TD’s this season with only three picks.
The Pick: Buffalo won the earlier matchup, 27-21 controlling most of the game. Grant Benson was dominant at QB with 271 passing yards and 86 rushing yards, also accounting for three TDs. Meanwhile Buffalo held the Falcons to 272 yards. No matter how hard Armstrong tries to stop Benson, I just don’t think they have enough on offense to pull the upset. Bison, 24-16.
Gabe Hall, above, #10, tossed 14 TD passes this season for Armstrong.
Section 2AAA Semifinals.
#3 Howard Lake WW (6-2) @ #2 Jordan (5-3), 2 PM.
The Lakers have won six straight, led by RB Raydon Graham, who is not only their leading rusher, but is a threat at both kick and punt return. The front seven on defense is stout, led by Alex Stueven and Zach Murphy. The offensive line is also a big plus for HLWW. For Jordan, they have won four of five coming in with their only loss to #1 Annandale, 38-7 two weeks ago. The Hubmen bounced back with a first round playoff win over Rockford on Tuesday.
The Pick: Jordan won the season opener over HLWW, 21-20 on a last second TD pass, which is why they are the home team in sections. The Lakers lost two close games to Jordan, and Holy Family early in the season on late TD passes. The Lakers have had time to fix that problem and are by far the more physical team. Lakers get revenge, 22-19.
Jordan, above, scored a late TD to knock off HLWW on opening night in their first meeting.
Section 2AAA Semifinals.
#4 Dassel-Cokato (6-3) @ #1 Holy Family (6-2), 2 PM.
DC has won four of five and bounced back from a regular season thumping from their rivals from Litch, 38-8, with a 35-0 shutout win over Glencoe SL on Tuesday. Jackson Nyquist and Isaac Salmen get the tough yards, while Elijah Torola is the big hitter in the running game as he can go the distance at any time. Holy Family has only gone 2-2 in their last four, and even last week in a win over Rockford they were not impressive, slipping past the Rockets 17-8 as its running game has fizzled as of late.
The Pick: On of the best playoff games of the day in the state! DC actually won the regular season matchup, 42-35, running all over the Fire. The Fire have a great young southpaw QB in Ethan Ryan, but I don’t think they have the physical presence to hang with DC. It’s simple, I’m taking the more physical team, and the team that’s playing better right now. DC, 35-28.
Ethan Ryan, above, is a rising star at QB in the state of Minnesota.
Section 5AAA Semifinals.
#5 Pine City (3-6) @ #1 Annandale (8-0). 2 PM.
If you think Annandale can only throw the ball, beware. Last week the Cards unleashed its running game with Cam Ergen, and Rylan Horsch and ran over the #2 Seed in Section 2AAA Jordan, 38-7 on their field. Annandale’s defense just keeps getting better every week. The only TD Jordan scored was on a kick return. Pine City advanced to Saturday’s game with a win over Mora on Tuesday, 14-8. The Dragons struggle to score, only score more than two TDs in a game seven times, but have a solid defense that has given up less than two touchdowns in two of its last three games.
Pick: One thing Pine City can do is play defense, just like Rockford, and Rockford gave Annandale fits for one half. Here is the problem for Pine City, Annandale can score at the blink of an eye, and their defense doesn’t give up points, especially against an offense like the Dragons. Cards, 49-6.
The Pine City offense, above, will have its hands full with Annandale on Saturday.
Section 6AAAA Semifinals.
#3 Delano (6-3) @ #2 Zimmerman (6-2). 3 PM.
Delano has won three of four, including a 40-0 shutout of Big Lake on Tuesday, limiting the Hornets to just 103 total yards behind three sacks from Davin Clare. Bryce Beyer carried the load for the Tigers with 329 combined yards rushing and three TDs against Big Lake. Zimmerman also features a power running game, led by Mason Spence. Both teams mirror each other and will only pass when absolutely necessary. Zimmerman won this season’s matchup, 14-2, and I expect another slugfest on Saturday.
The Pick: What Delano has done this year is amazing, considering where they were last year. Great running game, rock solid defense, but you could say the same exact thing about Zimmerman. I have said Delano will have to find a passing game at some point, and after Zimmerman limited the Tigers to just 59 total yards last time out, Saturday they will need it. Problem is, you can’t find a passing game in four days. Thunder, 19-14.
Mason Spence, above #6, is the bell cow of the Thunder, leading the team in rushing.
