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Capable or clueless? Picking semifinals tests Star Tribune prep writers

By Star Tribune, 11/13/19, 5:45PM CST

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The first four of 14 semifinal football games will be played Thursday at U.S. Bank Stadium, including the battle of Class 4A unbeatens Hutchinson and metro-area co-op SMB.


A key to Hutchinson’s chances against SMB in the battle of Class 4A unbeatens is the running of Tyler Schiller (20), who has amassed 576 yards in three playoff games. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

With the state tournament semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium, staff writers Jim Paulsen (41-11) and David La Vaque (29-23) expand their opinions beyond the metro and try to accurately handicap games in all seven classes. Will they prove capable or clueless?

NINE-MAN: MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL (10-1) VS. HANCOCK (12-0), 11:30 a.m.

Jim says: Hancock lost in the 1990 quarterfinals in its only trip to state. MI-B is making its second consecutive appearance at U.S. Bank Stadium after losing seven seniors to graduation. The team less fazed by stage fright wins this one. Mountain Iron-Buhl 34, Hancock 26

David says: Senior running back Dillon Drake is a game-breaker for MI-B and Hancock senior running back Tyler Timmerman is his equal. As a point of reference, Hancock was ranked No. 4 in the final Associated Press poll while MI-B was not in the top-10. Hancock 42, Mountain Iron-Buhl 35

CLASS 2A: PAYNESVILLE (10-1) VS. MINNEAPOLIS NORTH (11-0), 2 p.m.

Jim says: Paynesville’s run-pass balance will give North trouble, but the Polars have the athletes and speed to counter. In their 26-20 come-from-behind quarterfinal victory over Blue Earth, the Polars showed a level of grit they hadn’t shown before. Minneapolis North 40, Paynesville 30

David says: Minneapolis North doesn’t have its typical shutdown cornerback this year, which could be good news for Paynesville senior Levi Bast. The 6-2 receiver caught touchdowns covering 51 and 54 yards in the quarterfinals. Paynesville 21, Minneapolis North 14

CLASS 4A: HUTCHINSON (11-0) VS. SMB WOLFPACK (11-0), 4:30 p.m.

Jim says: SMB has answered every challenge this season, proving the Wolfpack is much more than just a team of elite athletes. But Hutchinson takes physicality to a level the Wolfpack has rarely experienced. The team that hits harder wins. Hutchinson 30, SMB 28

David says: There’s a similarity in this situation to 2014, when a tough Hutch team fell in the state tournament semifinals to a DeLaSalle team adept at making big plays on both sides of the ball. SMB boasts that caliber of playmakers. SMB 29 Hutchinson 14

CLASS 6A: LAKEVILLE NORTH (10-1) VS. CHAMPLIN PARK (9-1), 7 p.m.

Jim says: After routing Rosemount in the quarterfinals, Champlin Park coach Nick Keenan said his team, which plays its home games on a grass field, is a “turf team.” He’s convinced the Rebels will surprise Lakeville North with their speed indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium. Champlin Park 26, Lakeville North 21

David says: Credit Shakopee’s stout defense in part for making Lakeville North’s offense a one-man show in the semifinals. Quarterback RaJa Nelson accounted for 65% of the Panthers’ total yards. That number must drop. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ defense is peaking. Lakeville North 21, Champlin Park 17

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