Chanhassen at Robbinsdale Armstrong

7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30

Chanhassen (4-0) is one of the most battle-tested teams in the state at the midway point of the season. The Storm, ranked No. 5 in last week’s Class 5A Associated Press poll, own wins against No. 11 Chaska (2-2), No. 8 Spring Lake Park (3-1) and 2021 state semifinalist Orono (1-3). Chanhassen thumped Spring Lake Park but had to sweat out close wins in the other two.

The Storm are a balanced squad with senior quarterback Grant Muffenbier averaging 106.2 yards per game through the air. Muffenbier totaled 357 yards, three TDs and two interceptions last year against Robbinsdale Armstrong. The ground game generates over 180 yards per game led by junior running back Maxwell Woods, who’s piling up 163.3 yards a night with seven TDs.

A win here and a perfect season could give it the resume to surpass No. 1 Mankato West (4-0) for the top seed in Section 2.

Robbinsdale Armstrong (4-0), tied with Rochester Mayo for No. 6 in Class 5A, won this matchup 49-28 last year in Chanhassen. It was a one-score game that went back and forth until the Falcons scored two fourth-quarter TDs to pull away. Current senior Jamen Malone completed 17 of 32 passes for 339 yards, three TDs and an interception in that one. Classmate running back Reggie Carter rushed 22 times for 129 yards. The defense limited Chanhassen's Woods to 57 yards on nine carries last year, and may be the key to pulling off the win again this year. 

Friday's game will be the toughest yet for the Falcons, who's next closest win was a 35-14 victory in Week 1 over No. 14-5A Waconia. Robbinsdale Armstrong has started strong in all of its games this season. The Falcons have yet to allow a touchdown or field goal in the first quarter, and have only surrendered one score in the first half all season long. 

The Falcons can likely afford a loss and still be the top seed in Section 5 if they run the table.