Wednesday night marks the regular season finale for most football teams. With the playoffs starting next week, several North metro teams hope to continue their strong play while a few want to regroup after a trying season.

Champlin Park (3-4) at Maple Grove (7-0)

 

No passing fancy

Crimson coach Matt Lombardi’s belief that good defense and a strong running game win games was justified the past two weeks. Maple Grove went a combined 4-of-8 passing against Centennial and Coon Rapids as injuries and inexperience ravaged the quarterbacking corps. No matter, the Crimson won both games and moved to 7-0 this season thanks in large part to a solid offensive line and running backs Clark Wieneke and Tahi Nomane.

 

Havoc incorporated

Lombardi, architect of three state championship defenses at Wayzata, is seeing shades of Trojan greatness in his Crimson. The defense scored three touchdowns the past two weeks, a 99-yard interception from Isaac Collins against Coon Rapids and fumble returns by Jake Engelken and Peder Olson against Centennial.

“The defense is really creating havoc,” Lombardi said. “They are playing more to what I expect.”

 

Championship goals

Defeating Coon Rapids clinched the Northwest Suburban Conference’s North Division championship for Maple Grove, but Lombardi said players “didn’t even react. I can tell they have much bigger goals this season. They want to get to the Metrodome and make an impact.” Maple Grove lost at home to Minnetonka in the Class 6A section final last fall.

Osseo (6-1) at Totino-Grace (6-1)

 

Tough tune up

Playing at Totino-Grace, a dynasty among the state’s second-biggest division for almost a decade, is a tough draw, Osseo coach Derrin Lamker said. But the game also serves as an excellent postseason dress rehearsal.

“Games like this show you where the bar is,” Lamker said.

 

Balance achieved

Previous incarnations of Orioles’ teams were pass-happy. Last season, all-everything Bridgeport Tusler gave Osseo a running identity. This fall, players such as strong-armed quarterback Matt Miedtke and tough-running Jaimen Hampton give the attack desired balance. Joshua Riley-Phillips is an emerging target at tight end.

 

Unsung defense

Often undersized but rarely out-hustled, Osseo’s defense has more than held its own. Strong safety Cameron Kelly and free safety Cortez Stanley have made the secondary a strength.

Roseville (6-1) at Mounds View (5-2)

 

Tough task

Roseville quarterback Jacques Perra came into this season well-respected by Suburban East Conference opponents, Mounds View coach Jim Galvin included. In addition to having good athletes at the skill positions, what really makes the Raiders tough this year is that they “are good up front on both sides of the ball,’’ Galvin said.

A victory gives Roseville at least a share of its first Suburban East Conference title.

Good news …

Galvin has been pleased by his offense, which — despite relying on some undersized linemen — has been able to execute the run-heavy Wing-T scheme. Running backs Matt Hunt and Sola Olateju have combined for more than 1,200 yards rushing.

 

… Bad news

“Our defense hasn’t lived up to expectations,” said Galvin, citing the Stillwater and White Bear Lake games. Stillwater ran all over the Mustangs and White Bear Lake moved the ball at will. Success against Roseville and in the playoffs, Galvin said, requires “getting pressure and intercepting a pass or two.” An injury to defensive back Alec Aberbrombie makes the latter more difficult.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s (5-2) at Spring Lake Park (5-2)

 

High-stakes game

“The winner Wednesday will be the North Suburban Conference champion, get the No. 2 seed in the section playoffs and get a bye so there’s not much riding on this game,” deadpanned Spring Lake Park coach Jeff Schlieff. Enough said.

 

Patience pays off

Graduation claimed a number of strong players from the Panthers’ offensive and defensive lines and the newcomers upfront took their lumps during an 0-2 start this season. But the Panthers “started moving people and running hard,” Schlieff said, and the result was a five-game winning streak. Signature victories included rival Fridley and tradition-rich Glencoe-Silver Lake.

 

Players to watch

Running back/linebacker Ejodamen Ejiya earns his rightful attention but the Panthers have more to offer opponents. Linemen Tony Kromvig and Max Luppino emerged to clear holes for running backs Richie Toweh and Grant Walter. Ditalion Martin has anchored the defense from his nose guard position.

Columbia Heights (5-2) at Minneapolis Edison (1-6)

 

Back in the high life

Columbia Heights last won five games in 2005. Coach Matt Townsend said younger players “are having success, and it’s starting to snowball. That idea that ‘I can do this’ is being matched by their ability.”

 

Key game

Townsend, a former Hylanders quarterback, gave his defense the nod for securing victory last week against St. Paul Como Park. A late-game stop allowed Columbia Heights to earn a 12-7 victory despite scoring well below its average of 28 points in the previous six games.

 

Players to watch

Quarterback David Dixon, receiver Jarrett Baptiste and running back D’Aireus Mock spark the offense while Quinton Lee does the heavy lifting up front on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Seeking redemption

 

Andover (4-3) at Robbinsdale Armstrong (0-7)

A 4-0 start put Andover in the conversation of the state’s best Class 5A teams. But the Huskies limp into Wednesday’s game with a three-game losing streak during which they scored a combined 20 points.

 

Park Center (2-5) at Elk River (1-6)

A tough schedule battered the Elks’ record. The Class 5A team endured losses to four Class 6A teams ranked in this week’s Star Tribune Metro top-10 poll. If Elk River can keep its spirits up, the reward could come in a deep playoff run.