St. Cloud Tech has walloped North Central subdistrict foe Sauk Rapids-Rice in their past three meetings by a combined score of 140-13. So why could this year — one in which the Storm is in the thick of the subdistrict race just a year after finishing 6-4 — be different?
Because Sauk Rapids-Rice (4-1, 3-1) is having its first winning season since 2010, and neither team has yet to dominate an opponent.
St. Cloud Tech sits atop the subdistrict standings, but four of its five wins have been decided by eight points or less.
The No. 7-5A Tigers (5-0, 4-0) will turn to junior quarterback Nate Trewick (1,159 yards, 10 touchdowns passing) to keep the Storm at arm's length, or they can hand off the ball to running back Kedrick Osuorah (626 yards, 6 TDs).
Sauk Rapids-Rice (4-1, 3-1) has three victories by four points or fewer but are averaging 31.2 points per game this season. Senior quarterback Cade Milton-Baumgardner has thrown for 1,131 yards and eight touchdowns — with seven going to his top target, senior wide receiver Braden Tretter (34 receptions for 673 yards).