Pierz at Maple Lake
7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28

Pierz and Maple Lake are two central Minnesota programs that have had recent success, and the pair square off in Week 2. 

The Pioneers have made the state tournament four of the past six seasons, including last season when they were undefeated until a 25-24 overtime loss to eventual state champion Rochester Lourdes in an intense Class 3A semifinal game. Pierz finished with an 11-1 record.

Maple Lake has qualified for the state tournament four of the last five years and is coming off a 10-2 year which ended with a 20-12 loss to Caledonia in the Class 2A state quarterfinals.

The Pioneers and the Irish finished as the top two teams in the final year of the Central Minnesota Conference and will continue their rivalry as members in the Sub 1 division of the Mid State District.

Both teams are coming off blowout week one victories, with Pierz downing Annandale 38-12 and Maple Lake defeating Kimball 35-6.