Defending Class 6A champion Wayzata opened its season with a loss last Friday at Prior Lake last Friday. Photo: Jeff Lawler, Sports Engine
The Star Tribune’s Jim Paulsen and David La Vaque give their takes on three Thursday games.
WAYZATA (0-1) AT ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE (1-0), 5 p.m.
Jim says: If Wayzata makes a 31-yard FG in the final seconds against Prior Lake, we’re praising its resiliency instead of wondering about a defense that gave up 22 second-half points. Bouncing back at St. Michael-Albertville is a lot to ask. St. Michael-Albertville 26, Wayzata 21
David says: St. Michael-Albertville, meanwhile, overcame a five-point deficit in the fourth quarter. The Knights return a jackhammer offensive line, and the big fellas helped running back David Collins post 144 yards and two scores last week. St. Michael-Albertville 35, Wayzata 28
BLAINE (1-0) AT MAPLE GROVE (1-0), 7 p.m.
Jim says: Blaine won its season opener at home, surprising Totino-Grace 26-22. Maple Grove’s first-game victory was at Edina, holding the Hornets to a field goal. Limited fans lessen home-field advantage, but it still counts for something. Maple Grove 20, Blaine 14
David says: While the monster game of QB Tyler Schuster (257 total yards, two TDs) helped Blaine prevail, a more balanced approach will be needed against Maple Grove’s defense. The Bengals will find a way. Blaine 24, Maple Grove 21
EDINA (0-1) AT PRIOR LAKE, (1-0), 7 p.m.
Jim says: Prior Lake is bursting with confidence after rallying from a two-touchdown halftime deficit to win at Wayzata. Senior running back Tyler Shaver blended strength and breakaway speed into a career-high 165 yards and two rushing TDs. Prior Lake 24, Edina 15
David says: There is a lot to like about Prior Lake this season, with 12 returning starters forged by one of the state’s toughest schedules each season. Edina, playing for a new head coach, shows better than Week 1. But it’s a process. Prior Lake 35, Edina 17
(games 7 p.m. Thursday unless noted)
1. Lakeville South (1-0) at Eastview
2. Eden Prairie (1-0) vs. Shakopee, 7 p.m. Friday
3. Lakeville North (1-0) at East Ridge, 5 p.m. Thursday
4. St. Michael-Albertville (1-0) vs. Wayzata, 5 p.m. Thursday
5. Prior Lake (1-0) vs. Edina
6. Champlin Park (1-0) at Osseo
7. Woodbury (1-0) vs. Stillwater, 7 p.m. Friday
8. Maple Grove (1-0) vs. Blaine
9. Blaine (1-0) at Maple Grove
10. Rosemount (0-0) vs. Farmington (canceled)
THURSDAY
All games at 7 p.m. unless noted
EAST CENTRAL
North
• Milaca at Zimmerman
• St. Cloud Cathedral at Princeton
South
• Glencoe-Silver Lake at Holy Family
• Litchfield at Watertown-Mayer
• New London-Spicer at Dassel-Cokato
METRO
North
• Blaine at Maple Grove
• Champlin Park at Osseo
• Totino-Grace at Centennial
South
• Lakeville South at Eastview
West
• Edina at Prior Lake
• Wayzata at St. Michael-Albertville, 5 pm
NORTH CENTRAL
Blue
• Andover at Elk River
• Buffalo at Rogers
White
• Big Lake at Hutchinson
NORTHEAST
Red
• Proctor at North Branch
TWIN CITY
Blue
• Fridley at St. Anthony
• Mound Westonka at SMB
Gold
• Minneapolis Edison at Brooklyn Center
Maroon
• Spectrum at Minneapolis Henry
Red
• Minneapolis Washburn at Columbia Heights
METROPOLITAN AREA
• Anoka at Eagan
• Apple Valley at Bloomington Jefferson
• Farmington at Hopkins
• Lakeville North at East Ridge, 5 pm
• Little Falls at Annandale
• Maple River at Mayer Lutheran
• Mpls. Roosevelt at Concordia Academy
• Norwood Young America at Jordan
• Park Center at Holy Angels
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FRIDAY
All games at 7 pm, unless noted
BIG SOUTHEAST
Red
• New Prague at Northfield
METRO
East
• Cretin-Derham Hall at White Bear Lake
• Stillwater at Woodbury
West
• Shakopee at Eden Prairie
NORTH CENTRAL
Blue
• Cambridge-Isanti at St. Francis, 6 pm
White
• Becker at Delano
SOUTH CENTRAL
Silver
• Sibley East at Tri-City United
SUBURBAN
Blue
• Coon Rapids at Forest Lake
• Irondale at Spring Lake Park
Grey
• Hill-Murray at Mahtomedi
• North St. Paul at Tartan
• South St. Paul at Simley
Maroon
• Henry Sibley at St. Thomas Academy
• Park of Cottage Grove at Hastings
Red
• Benilde-St. Margaret’s at DeLaSalle
• Orono at Cooper
White
• Waconia at St. Louis Park
TWIN CITY
Blue
• Providence Academy at Minneapolis North, 6 pm
Gold
• Academy Force at Minneapolis South, 3:30 pm
Maroon
• St. Agnes at Breck
Red
• Bloomington Kennedy at Richfield
• St. Croix Lutheran at Mpls. Southwest
METROPOLITAN AREA
• Armstrong at Chaska
• Howard Lake-W-W at Atwater-C-GC
• Lester Prairie/HT at Cleveland
• LeSueur-Henderson at Belle Plaine
• Minnetonka at Mounds View
• Red Wing at Plainview-Elgin-Millville
• Rockford at Minnewaska Area