Consistently good. Sometimes great. Occasionally champions. That pretty much sums up both Blaine and Wayzata, each of which would fit squarely in any discussion about the state’s best modern-day big-school teams not named Eden Prairie.
Blaine reached the Class 6A state semifinals last year; Wayzata got to the round of 16. How far either team makes it this season won’t be determined in the season opener, but this matchup should provide more than a bit of intel on their chances for a deep run.
The Bengals return 195-pound junior running back Will Frederickson, who averaged 83.8 rushing yards per game and 30 receiving yards per game last season as a sophomore. Frederickson finished 2018 with 11 touchdowns.
The Trojans might look to 6-foot-1, 211-pound Christian Vasser to again shoulder much of the ground game. Vasser logged 815 yards on 167 carries last season with seven TDs.