Blaine has paved a path to its best start in seven years and remains the team to chase in the Metro North subdistrict standings after five weeks. While their impressive wins are in the rearview mirror, the Bengals cannot afford to avert their eyes from what lies ahead on the road to securing their first league title since 2010.
Centennial, which has raced out a good subdistrict record, is waiting for Blaine at the next intersection, and the Cougars should be revved up because a victory over their rivals in our Top Game of the Week would move them into a tie for first place with two regular-season games to play.
Blaine, ranked No. 2 in the Class 6A Associated Press statewide poll from Sept. 26, is one of two remaining undefeated teams in the class and enters Friday's showdown sitting a half-game ahead of the Cougars (3-2, 3-1) and St. Michael-Albertville in the standings.
The Bengals have been playing exceptionally well as of late, outscoring their opponents 132-44 in the last three weeks. Senior quarterback Jack Haring has thrown for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns — including a 200-yard and three-touchdown game last Friday in a 31-14 win over No. 9-6A Champlin Park — while adding a team-high five rushing TDs.
But Blaine isn't all offense. In the victory over the Rebels, the Bengals defense forced six turnovers, and Cretin-Derham Hall is the only team to score more than two touchdowns against Blaine. The Raiders recorded three but could not keep pace with the Bengals, losing 56-20 on Sept. 21.
Blaine's defense could be relined by a Centennial offense playing with its foot on the gas pedal. The Cougars average 25 points per game behind dual-threat quarterback Connor Zulk, a junior who has no issues effectively shifting gears to pass (648 yards, 7 touchdowns) or run (394 yards, 2 TDs). When Zulk has thrown, it's been to his favorite target: Running back Noah Larson, who's averaging 17.3 yards per reception. He's also amassed 257 rushing yards on 36 carries.