Hutchinson team raised their trophy in the air after winning against Holy Angels 49-7 for the 4A State Championship at the Mall of America Field in Minneapolis, Min., Friday, November 29, 2013. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@star
1. Postseason punch: Hutchinson’s pursuit of a third consecutive Class 4A championship deserves the headlines, but several Wright County Conference teams figure to be in a title hunt. Delano’s state tournament run ended at Hutchinson’s hands. In Class 3A, Glencoe-Silver Lake (quarterfinals) and New London-Spicer (title game) were each knocked out by champion St. Croix Lutheran.
2. Victory lap: Four-year starters are a special breed in high school football. Glencoe-Silver Lake quarterback Keaton Anderson joins the elite club this fall. With Anderson at the controls, the Panthers averaged 36.8 points per game last season. Longevity under center runs in the family. Older brother Kyler started three consecutive seasons as the Panthers’ quarterback.
3. Milestone ahead: Orono coach Jeff Weiland begins the season with 99 career victories (77 with the Spartans, 22 at Watertown-Mayer). The century mark could require patience. The Spartans start their season playing at Glencoe-Silver Lake and at home against Annandale. Opposing coaches rated both among the top teams in the Wright County West Division.
DAVID LA VAQUE
Predicted finish
EAST
1. Hutchinson
Coach: Andy Rostberg
2013 record: 13-0
2. Orono
Coach: Jeff Weiland
2013 record: 7-3
3. Delano
Coach: Merrill Pavlovich
2013 record: 10-2
4. Waconia
Coach: Sam Baker
2013 record: 1-8
5. New Prague
Coach: Drew Danner
2013 record: 1-8
6. Holy Family
Coach: Dave Hopkins
2013 record: 3-7
WEST
Coach: Scott Tschimperle
2013 record: 9-3
Coach: Dan Essler
2013 record: 10-3
3. Annandale
Coach: Matt Walter
2013 record: 7-4
4. Litchfield
Coach: Jim Jackman
2013 record: 3-7
Coach: Ryan Weinandt
2013 record: 2-8
Coach: Nick David
2013 record: 1-8
Players to watch
RB/DB • Senior • Holy Family
QB • Senior • Hutchinson
RB/S • Senior • Litchfield
WR/DB • Senior • Mound-Westonka
Center • Senior • Orono
Receiver • Senior • Waconia