CLASS 3A

Saturday, 1 p.m.

New London-Spicer Wildcats (11-1) vs. Rochester Lourdes Eagles (12-0)

 

Jim says: New London-Spicer trailed 12-0 in its semifinal against Glencoe-Silver Lake before Shane Zylstra returned a kickoff for a late third-quarter touchdown, sparking the Wildcats to victory. Rochester Lourdes needed a desperation pitchback that resulted in a two-point conversion in overtime to defeat Pierz. Expect a spirited, back-and-forth, down-to-the-wire battle. How about a long, time-consuming fourth-quarter drive by Lourdes’ relentless ground game to break a tie?

• The pick: Rochester Lourdes 22, New London-Spicer 16

 

David says: Well, I picked New London-Spicer as my No. 1 team all season, so you know where I stand. The Wildcats proved their toughness by winning the Wright County West Conference. And their state tournament semifinal victory over Lourdes last season gives them a mental edge. Shane Zylstra (748 yards rushing, 604 yards receiving) and Treyton Austvold (805 yards rushing) are a dynamic pair of ball carriers.

The pick: New London-Spicer 31, Rochester Lourdes 27