Rochester Mayo vs.

Mankato West

7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1

Rochester Mayo and Mankato West haven’t just been beating opponents this season, they’ve been bludgeoning them.

The numbers are mind-numbing.

Rochester Mayo, coming off a 53-6 demolition of Rochester John Marshall, is averaging more than 50 points per game. Of the 59 points allowed this season by the Spartans (4-0) — the No. 6-ranked team in The Associated Press Class 5A rankings released Sept. 22 — 29 have come in fourth-quarter garbage time.

Mankato West scored on its first seven possessions in last Friday’s 49-0 victory over Rochester Century and held the Panthers to a paltry 52 yards — one lone yard in the second half. The No. 1-5A Scarlets (4-0) have outscored their opponents 144-7.

The teams, which meet Friday in Mankato in one of the season’s most anticipated southern Minnesota matchups, have an array of stars.

Rochester Mayo senior quarterback Bennett Ellsworth threw four touchdowns last Friday against John Marshall, giving him 11 this season. He’s thrown for 1,013 yards, third most in the state. Spartans running back Noah Smith ran for two touchdowns and caught a TD pass against John Marshall. Smith has 497 rushing yards this season.

Mankato West quarterback Zander Dittbender has thrown 14 touchdowns (third most in the state), including three last week. Scarlets running back Walker Britz rumbled for 205 yards, including 106 yards on a mere three carries in the second half.