Minnesota high school football playoff semifinal predictions
The Minnesota high school football state semifinals are here, so I've selected a handful of semifinal games to dive into, and I've predicted the winners of each.
>>Minnesota high school football playoff brackets<<
Here are is who I think will be headed to the Minnesota high school football Prep Bowl.
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CLASS 6A
Centennial vs. Lakeville South
Both teams are nicknamed the Cougars and that’s fitting of how close this game could be. Centennial fell to Maple Grove in September as its only loss, and Lakeville South fell to Rosemount by one point in early October.
Centennial defeated Rosemount twice this season, but the transitive property can’t always be applied to football. Lakeville South has the best win of the two–a 24-21 win over Lakeville North.
Lakeville South’s offense is a force on the ground, and Centennial has yet to face such a strong rushing attack. Centennial is holding its opponents to only 118.6 rushing yards per game while Lakeville South is averaging 299.7 rushing yards per game.
Centennial’s offense's slight advantage in the passing game could be the slight advantage it has entering the game. It sets up for a great game.
Winner: Centennial
Eden Prairie vs. Edina
Winner: Eden Prairie
CLASS 5A
Andover vs. Chanhassen
Chanhassen was ranked in the No. 2 spot in SBLive’s all classification rankings for much of the season. The Storm are undefeated, and they have two wins over Mankato West, a team that defeated Andover in the second week of the season and had title hopes itself.
But the Huskies played most of that game without senior quarterback Chase Pemberton. After missing four games, Pemberton finished the season with 1,375 yards, 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions on a 76.2 percent completion percentage.
Chanhassen running back Maxwell Woods is one of the best in the state, so both teams will have their hands full containing playmakers.
Winner: Chanhassen
Alexandria Area vs. St. Thomas Academy
Winner: Alexandria Area
CLASS 4A
Hutchinson vs. North Branch Area
Hutchinson is a perennial power in Class 4A, and despite two losses in the middle of the season, the Tigers are playing their best at the right time.
North Branch lost its first game of the season to Pequot Lakes but have won 10 in a row. The Vikings defeated a potent Benilde-St. Margaret’s team to reach U.S. Bank Stadium.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to pick against the Tigers in November.
Winner: Hutchinson
Byron vs. Rocori
Winner: Rocori
CLASS 3A
Annandale vs. Dassel-Cokato
The Cardinals are in the midst of a dream season. They are undefeated, and they defeated a top Esko team in the quarterfinals.
Dassel-Cokato fell to Litchfield in the regular season, but it won the rematch in the Section 2 finals. The Chargers won a defensive clash against Minneapolis North in the quarterfinals.
The Cardinals dream season continues.
Winner: Annandale
Stewartville vs. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton
Winner: Stewartville
CLASS 2A
Jackson County Central vs. Barnesville
Both Jackson County Central and Barnesville have rolled through their schedule. Barnesville played its first close game against a Class 2A team in its 42-36 win over Osakis in the quarterfinals.
Jackson County Central defeated Caledonia 41-0 in the quarterfinals. The Huskies knocked off a team that was ranked near the top of Class 2A all season. So they’re more battle tested, and that’s the only sliver to discern these two.
Winner: Jackson County Central
Cannon Falls vs. Eden Valley-Watkins
Winner: Eden Valley-Watkins
CLASS 1A
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa vs. Minneota
Minneota is the defending champion and BOLD is the only team to be competitive with it. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s offense has pummeled opponents this season. It’s scored under 20 points only once this season.
Winner: Minneota
Springfield vs. Mahnomen/Waubun Thunderbirds
Winner: Mahnomen/Wauben
9-PLAYER
Ottertail Central Bulldogs vs. Nevis
Winner: Nevis
Fertile-Beltrami vs. Kingsland
Winner: Fertile-Beltrami
