Orono didn't have many highlights during its 2-6 regular season that preceded an improbable run to the Class 4A state semifinals last year. One was knocking off Holy Angels, 30-7, in Week 2. The Spartans would go on to lose five straight while the Stars, motivated to bounce back, won their next four as part of an 8-3 season and a 4A quarterfinals berth.
Orono won its season opener 21-18 at home vs. Robbinsdale Cooper headed by the top recruit in the state, LSU defensive end commit Jaxon Howard. Senior quarterback Charles Kraus threw three touchdowns to three different receivers.
Holy Angels also won last week 32-28 at Hill-Murray. Even after the graduation of running back Emmett Johnson, who's now at Nebraska, the Stars still ran the ball effectively with junior running back Reid Davenport, who had 117 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdowns. Senior quarterback Aaron Boarman added 111 yards on 16 carries including a score.
Both teams were involved in close games in Week 1. That could be the case again Friday night in Richfield.