Top games: Prior Lake braces for impact with juggernaut Lakeville South

Top games: Prior Lake braces for impact with juggernaut Lakeville South

By Loren Nelson, SportsEngine, 10/19/20, 11:15AM CDT

Oct. 23: The Lakers, No. 3 in the Class 6A state rankings, pack a heavy punch with a formidable ground game. But the No. 1-6A Cougars feature a fearsome rushing attack of their own.

Prior Lakes faces its toughest test of the season so far in Lakeville South, which has amassed 904 rushing yards in just two weeks of play. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

We task our reporters with identifying several intriguing games throughout the state to assemble our Top Games of the Week. The matchups are presented in no particular order, and when there are additional games we want to highlight, we’ll include them with brief notes.

Other games to keep an eye on

White Bear Lake vs. East Ridge, 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23. East Ridge (2-0, 0-0) is coming off one of the season’s biggest upsets — a stunning 13-0 shutout of No. 4-6A Lakeville North. White Bear Lake (1-1, 1-1), meanwhile, defeated Cretin-Derham Hall 35-21 behind three TDs (2 rushing, 1 passing) from senior quarterback Branden Berwald.

Redwood Valley vs. Blue Earth Area, 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23. Two of the top small-school programs square off as No. 4-2A Blue Earth Area (2-0, 1-0), which reached the state Class 2A tournament last season, and No. 3-2A Redwood Valley (2-0, 2-0) duel to see which team goes into Week 4 unblemished.