Here are our picks for some of the biggest games in the East Metro on Friday
Farmington (2-0) at White Bear Lake (2-0), 7 p.m.
Bears quarterback Oluwatomi Animasaun has lifted White Bear Lake to a 2-0 record with his dual-threat capabilities.
But now the Bears take a massive step up in competition. Farmington is fresh off a 7-3 win over Lakeville North. Defensively, White Bear Lake’s defensive front will have to hold up against a Tigers team that ran the ball 44 times in each of the first two games.
Our pick: Farmington 28, White Bear Lake 14.
Apple Valley (1-1) at Two Rivers (1-1), 6:30 p.m.
A big tilt for future Class 5A, Section 3 tournament seeding. Two Rivers’ Drew Altavilla and Apple Valley’s Quieris Barnslater are dual-threat quarterbacks that figure to give each opposing defense issues.
But Two Rivers’ running game — which exploded for 276 yards last week against Simley — will be the key to this contest.
Our pick: Two Rivers 30, Apple Valley 23.
Chaska (2-0) at Hastings (2-0), 6:30 p.m.
Zack Shatek ran for 376 yards and five scores for the Raiders last week against Bloomington Jefferson.
Half of that would be a great night against Chaska, who has the look of a legitimate contender in Class 5A this season. This is Hastings’ chance to prove it can leap into that company this fall, as well.
Our pick: Chaska 27, Hastings 14.
Shakopee (2-0) at Stillwater (1-1), 7 p.m.
Shakopee has been wildly impressive across the board en route to its 2-0 start.
Stillwater’s Charlie Zollar is quickly establishing himself as Jack Runk’s No. 1 receiving target after scoring three touchdowns last week against Park.
Can Stillwater hold up against a Shakopee run game that averaged nearly 7 yards per carry on the ground last week in a come-from-behind win over Lakeville South?
Our pick: Shakopee 35, Stillwater 20.
New Richmond (3-0) at Hudson (3-0), 7 p.m.
The two Big Rivers Conference title favorites clash in a meeting that very well could determine the champion at season’s end.
Hudson is fresh off an 18-point win over Menomonie, while the Tigers have scored 40-plus points in all three games this season.
Our pick: Hudson 24, New Richmond 21.
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