After finishing last year with just four victories, Bemidji has a chance to claim a share of the North Central Red subdistrict. The Lumberjacks are streaking at the right time — they've won four in a row — and face a St. Cloud Tech team heading in the opposite direction.
The No. 10-5A Lumberjacks (6-1, 4-1) boast the top offense (34.9 points per game) and defense (14 ppg) in the league. Case in point: A 50-6 win over Sartell-St. Stephen last week, when senior quarterback Jacob Beberg passed for 144 yards and three touchdowns while senior Caleb Grant (119 yards, 2 TDs) and sophomore Will Falldorf (97 yards, 2 TDs) led the rushing attack.
Bemidji's productive offense could end St. Cloud Tech's two-game winning streak against the Lumberjacks. The Tigers won 49-7 last year and 38-24 in 2016.
The Tigers (5-2, 4-1), however, are riding a two-game losing streak of their own. Still, they're in the running for a share of the league title, tied with the Lumberjacks and a half-game behind league Sauk Rapids-Rice in the standings.
It may be an uphill challenge for St. Cloud Tech, however, as junior quarterback Nate Trewick (1,225 yards, 11 TDs) was ruled out this week due to an injury. Look for the Tigers to lean more on the run game, similar to last week, when junior Jake Cielinski (116 yards) and sophomore Tyree Martin (100 yards, TD) led the offense.
Running back Kedrick Osuorah (626 yards, 6 TDs) should also be in the mix. The junior has been the primary workhorse this season.