Football teams across the East Metro will play Friday for a chance to reach the state tournament. Here are our thoughts and predictions on each game.
Class 6A, Round 2
Moorhead (5-4) at Woodbury (7-2), 7 p.m.
Woodbury is aiming for its first state tournament trip since 2021. It’ll have to win a rematch against a Spuds team that’s whole again with the return of star quarterback Jett Feeney. He was injured in the Week 2 matchup between the two teams, which Moorhead hung on to win 34-27, and didn’t return to action until the final week of the regular season.
The Royals must find a way to at least slow Moorhead’s passing attack, while scoring a healthy amount themselves.
Our pick: Moorhead 35, Woodbury 28
East Ridge (5-4) at Maple Grove (9-0), 7 p.m.
Credit to East Ridge quarterback Cedric Tomes, a star basketball player who made the effort to work his way back from a finger injury to finish out his senior football season.
The Raptors are always a tough postseason out, but there’s little to suggest the Crimson can be had. The defending champs have obliterated everything in sight all season.
Our pick: Maple Grove 34, East Ridge 19
Shakopee (6-3) at Centennial (8-1), 7 p.m.
One of the more intriguing matchups Friday. Centennial has dominated the battle up front all season. Can the same be true against the tough Sabers?
Our pick: Centennial 22, Shakopee 14
St. Michael-Albertville (4-5) at Rosemount (8-1), 7 p.m.
Our pick: Rosemount has officially flipped its record from a season ago, going from 1-8 to now 8-1. But Round 2 is never the goal for the Irish, especially not with a defense surrendering just 10 points per game.
Our pick: Rosemount 21, St. Michael-Albertville 10
Mounds View (5-4) at Lakeville South (7-2), 7 p.m.
A rematch of a season-opening matchup in which the Cougars ran all over Mounds View. That could again be the case Friday, but Mounds View has found more offense in recent weeks thanks to a reliance on the arm of quarterback Beckham Wheeler.
Can the Mustangs keep pace?
Our pick: Lakeville South 27, Mounds View 17
Class 5A., Section 3 final
Two Rivers (5-4) at St. Thomas Academy (9-0), 6 p.m.
Our pick: Two Rivers avenged its heartbreak in last year’s section semifinals by breaking through this fall. Its reward is a date with perhaps the best team in Class 5A. The Cadets are again a major threat to win the state title that’s been so elusive for the program. They figure to come out ready to perform at every step along the way.
Our pick: St. Thomas Academy 45, Two Rivers 17
Class 5A, Section 4 final
Cretin-Derham Hall (6-3) at Mahtomedi (8-1), 7 p.m.
These two teams played a thriller just three weeks ago, with a Cretin-Derham Hall unsuccessful 2-point attempt late serving as the difference in a one-point Zephyrs win. Expect something similar Friday.
Our pick: Cretin-Derham Hall 27, Mahtomedi 20
Class 5A, Section 6 final
Buffalo (6-3) at Spring Lake Park (9-0), 7 p.m.
Spring Lake Park ran for 252 yards against Buffalo in a 21-7 victory a few weeks back. That’s what the Panthers have done to all comers this fall.
It’s difficult to foresee a different result this time around.
Our pick: Spring Lake Park 17, Buffalo 10
Class 4A, Section 3 final
South St. Paul (8-1) at Hill-Murray (8-1), 6 p.m.
Hill-Murray comfortably won the regular-season meeting between these two teams, but South St. Paul started that night off on the wrong foot with a turnover.
The Packers have a veteran squad who will be prepared to meet the moment, though it’s the Pioneers who have more experience in this spot in recent years as a program.
Our pick: Hill-Murray 27, South St. Paul 22
Class 3A, Section 4 final
St. Croix Lutheran (10-0) at Minneapolis North (9-0), 6 p.m.
Immovable object, meet unstoppable force. Two teams that have blitzed everyone in their paths all fall finally meet with everything on the line.
The Crusaders are likely going to have to hit a few plays in the pass game in order to keep pace.
Our pick: Minneapolis North 34, St. Croix Lutheran 20
Wisconsin Level-2 playoff games
La Crosse Central (7-3) at River Falls (9-1), 7 p.m.
Our pick: River Falls 42, La Crosse Central 21
Platteville (6-4) at Baldwin-Woodville (10-0), 7 p.m.
Our pick: Baldwin-Woodville 30, Platteville 13
Hudson (8-2) at DePere (6-4), 7 p.m.
Our pick: Hudson 24, DePere 21
Wauwatosa East (6-4) at Rice Lake (9-1), 7 p.m.
Our pick: Rice Lake 38, Wauwatosa East 14
Oshkosh North (9-1) at New Richmond (8-2), 6 p.m.
Our pick: New Richmond 17, Oshkosh North 7
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High school football: Hill-Murray tops Johnson to reach section final
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