Prep Blog: Week 7, Previewing 'The Big 4'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It's getting to the best time of the year to be a high school football fan: Crunch time. There's not much better action in prep football than in the final weeks of the regular season, leading up to the playoffs.
The intensity picks up for every team on both sides of the ball. Every play means more, every swing in momentum becomes that much more important for teams looking to stay undefeated and contend for conference titles. For those that won't be winning a league title, ending the season on a positive note and earning at least one home playoff game is just as important.
This week's featured games include a pair of top five teams in Class 6A squaring off in a conference showdown in the east metro, a huge game in the Wright County Conference and two of the top three teams in Class 4A squaring off in Richfield. Those highlight a huge night in high school football across Minnesota Friday.
Featured Game: East Ridge (6-0) at Mounds View (5-1)
A conference title is on the line Friday night in Arden Hills as a pair of top 5 teams in Class 6A square off. No. 5-ranked Mounds View hosts No. 4-ranked East Ridge, and the Raptors can clinch a share of the Suburban East Conference title with a victory. The rivalry match-up is our featured game for WCCO-TV's High School Sports Rally.
The two teams did not meet last year, but East Ridge is looking to get revenge on a 10-7 loss two years ago. The Raptors have won six straight games, and they have yet to be tested in a close game this season. They've outscored opponents by a combined 227-21 and are averaging nearly 38 points per game. That dynamic offense is led by junior quarterback Seth Green, a highly-touted recruit who is announcing his college choice next Wednesday. He's picking between Oregon, Minnesota and Michigan State. He's throwing for about 180 yards per game and has 13 touchdown passes to go with just three interceptions. He's one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the country and averages nearly 70 yards per game on the ground.
The Raptors are led in rushing by Dominik London's 121 yards per game and eight touchdowns. Bobby Remke and Kjetil Cline are Green's top receivers with a combined 11 touchdowns. East Ridge's defense has been just as impressive, posting three shutouts and not allowing more than seven points in a game this season.
Mounds View is unbeaten against Minnesota teams this year, but is coming off a 21-0 loss to Menasha (Wis.). Two weeks ago, the Mustangs shut out Forest Lake 62-0. Quarterback Joe Frederickson has nine passing touchdowns on the season, while Danny DeWitt leads a balanced rushing attack with about 48 yards per game and three scores. He's one of four running backs with at least three rushing touchdowns. The Mustangs have also been impressive defensively, shutting out three opponents and only allowing 19 points in five league games.
Mounds View will need its best defensive effort of the season to beat East Ridge.
Eastview (3-3) at Apple Valley (2-4)
City bragging rights for the next year are on the line Friday night as Apple Valley hosts Eastview in South Suburban Conference action. Neither team is where it wants to be at this point in the season as the Eagles are struggling at 2-4 and the Lightning is 3-3, but throw out the records when it comes to these two rivals. Eastview is on a five-game winning streak against Apple Valley in the regular season. Last year, the Lightning held off the Eagles 13-6.
Hutchinson (6-0) at Holy Family Catholic (5-1)
The No. 1-ranked team and two-time defending state champions in Class 4A can clinch at least a share of the Wright County Conference title Friday night as Hutchinson has a big game at Holy Family Catholic. The Fire are now slouch themselves, on the verge of cracking the top 10 and having won two straight after a loss to Waconia in Week 54. Holy Family Catholic is coming off a 33-14 win at New Prague last week. Hutchinson, with a balanced run game and stifling defense, is 6-0 after beating Delano 46-7 last week. The Tigers have allowed just 29 points through six games with two shutouts and haven't given up more than one touchdown in any game this season. Hutchinson enters the game on a 32-game winning streak.
DeLaSalle (6-0) at Holy Angels (6-0)
The Tri-Metro Conference champion will be crowned in Richfield Friday night as a pair of top-five teams in Class 4A square off when Holy Angels hosts DeLaSalle. Both teams are 6-0 entering the contest, which should be one of the best in the Twin Cities this week. The Islanders, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, are led by quarterback Billy Hart. They have scored at least 42 points in all but one game this season and are coming off a 63-31 win at Benilde-St. Margaret's. Hart throws for 270 yards per game and has 27 passing touchdowns with just three interceptions. He's also the team's top rusher with eight touchdowns on the ground. The Stars, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A, beat Columbia Heights 40-13 last week and are led by dual threat quarterback Anthony Ekholm. He throws for about 105 yards per game and has eight passing touchdowns, but also runs for more than 120 yards per game and has 10 rushing touchdowns. It should be a fantastic game with a conference title on the line for both teams.
Tune into WCCO-TV's High School Sport Rally at about 10:20 p.m. Friday as Mike Max, Frank Vascellaro and David McCoy will have all the action covered.
