Prep Blog: Minneapolis City Conference Preview

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It's not uncommon to have one team dominate a conference for several years, but Minneapolis Washburn takes things to an entirely new level in the Minneapolis City Conference.

Since the start of the 2008 season, the Millers have lost just one Minneapolis City Conference game. That was to Minneapolis South back in 2010. Washburn shared the league crown that year with Southwest and South. The Millers responded with consecutive undefeated seasons to win the last two Minneapolis City Conference titles.

The numbers are rather staggering when you look at the history of the league. Washburn has had a say in the league title the last 10 seasons and has won nine of those 10 with undefeated record. That amounts to a 46-1 mark in conference play.

There's no reason to think a lot will change this year, but it won't be an easy run for the Millers.

Washburn favored, Southwest, South to contend?

The Millers have plenty of athletes back but are led by one of the state's best in the 2014. They'll be heavily favored to win the league title again behind Jeffrey Jones, who is their all-everything on offense. He's a running back, plays behind center and can even go as a wideoout and be a deep threat. He's one of the best in the state, and currently is committed to play in college for Jerry Kill and the University of Minnesota.

Washburn, however, is likely without one of its better players in their other top running back. Raymonte Maynard, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, is rumored to have transferred to Chanhassen.

Their challenge will be holding off Southwest and South, who were the other contenders last season. Washburn had little trouble beating South 33-6, and had one go down to the wire in a 19-18 win over Southwest.

What's left after the top three?

The other schools that realistically have a chance to be competitive in the Minneapolis City Conference are North and Henry. Both programs have good athletes, but have lacked the depth that other programs can put together and sustain to be competitive over a long-term basis.

Roosevelt is hoping for better luck this season after really struggling the last four seasons. The Teddies didn't win a game last year and won just three between the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Their closest game last year was a 25-16 loss to Edison.

The winner of the Minneapolis City Conference, like every year, faces the St. Paul City Conference champion at the end of the regular season and before the playoffs for the Twin Cities Championship. Last year, Washburn lost a great battle 24-21 in that game to a speedy St. Paul Central squad. That might be the one game Washburn struggles in as the two squads have faced off in that match-up four of the last five seasons, Central has won the game three straight years.

Washburn travels to South on Oct. 4 and heads to Southwest Oct. 12. We'll preview the other side of the Twin Cities Championship, the St. Paul City Conference, in the next Prep Blog.

Minneapolis City Conference 2012 Standings
Washburn (6-0, 7-2)
Southwest (5-1, 8-2)
South (4-2, 4-5)
Henry (3-3, 4-5)
North (2-4, 2-7)
Edison (1-5, 1-8)
Roosevelt (0-6, 0-7)