The most highly anticipated game of the season -- in the south metro, at least -- is less than one week away and, after Friday's results, could not be set up more perfectly.

Lakeville South got a touchdown rushing and touchdown passing from quarterback Mitchell Leidner to defeat Rosemount 17-0. And Lakeville North survived a scare from Burnsville, beating the Blaze 17-14 despite being held scoreless in the second half.

What this means is that both Lakeville teams go into next week's matchup at Lakeville North with perfect 5-0 records.

Lakeville South struggled for the first half with Rosemount, getting just a 27-yard field goal from Andrew Reilly en route to a 3-0 halftime lead. The Cougars extended their lead on a 1-yard dive by Leidner midway through the third quarter and finished off the scoring 4 minutes later when Leidner hit Devon Bzoskie on a 3-yard touchdown pass.

Leidner completed 16 of 26 passes for 195 yards. Leidner's total accounted for nearly all of the Cougars' total as they were held to just 22 yards rushing.

Lakeville North, which beat Rosemount last week, had a more difficult time of it. The Panthers turned the ball over four times and trailed Burnsville 14-10 in the second quarter before quarterback Trey Heid found David Macura for a 32-yard touchdown shortly before halftime.

Running back Brandon Morgan ran for 141 yards and wide receiver Joel Oxton tallied 111 yards receiving for the Panthers.

JIM PAULSEN