Staff writers David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen, veterans of several seasons covering high school football, have watched the season unfold across the metro area. Here are some of their key takeaways as section finals are played Friday and Saturday to set up next week’s state tournament quarterfinals.

Jim’s PLAYOFF take

 

Schedule matters

Come playoff time, few things are more important than the strength of a team’s schedule.

Mound Westonka, 8-0 for the first time in team history, was upset by Richfield 23-22 in overtime Tuesday in the Class 4A, Section 5 playoffs. Richfield’s 2-6 record going into the game was compiled against Class 5A teams. Mound Westonka built its record defeating three teams in Class 4A, three in 3A and two in 2A.

The same could be said for SMB, the first-year co-op program that also was undefeated before losing Tuesday. The Wolfpack fell to Mahtomedi 10-7 in the Class 5A, Section 5 playoffs, having not experienced an opponent of the Zephyrs’ caliber all season.

Northwest powers

All three schools from the Osseo school district — Maple Grove, Osseo and Park Center — are still alive and will be playing for state tournament berths. In Class 6A on Friday, Maple Grove (7-2) plays host to Armstrong and Osseo (6-3) is at home vs. Hopkins. The next day, Park Center (8-2) will be seeking its second state tournament berth — the first was 30 years ago — when it plays at Spring Lake Park. The Pirates will be looking to avenge a 28-7 loss to the Panthers on Aug. 28.

Streaking Polars

It’s time to give a little love to the metro’s other North Polars, those from North St. Paul. The Polars are riding a seven-game winning streak into the Class 5A, Section 4 final against Mahtomedi on Saturday. They routed St. Paul Central 33-8 on Tuesday, using a strong rushing attack led by shifty Isaiah Koran and a defense that is difficult to throw against, led by ball-hawking cornerback Bishop McDonald (11 interceptions). It was their first postseason victory in 10 years.

David’s playoff take

Big J does it all

Prior Lake defensive tackle Jamahl Johnson isn’t hard to spot at practice. If you somehow miss his size (6-2, 305 pounds) there is “Big J” on the back of his jersey. Known for reducing opposing offenses to rubble, Johnson expanded his role this season by turning goal-line handoffs into seven touchdowns, including one last week in a 21-0 shutout of Minnetonka in the 6A, Section 3 playoffs. Johnson, who committed to Iowa State, has 14 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Road-tested Royals

Hopkins played the role of bracket buster in the new Class 6A playoff format. The Royals, the No. 6 seed in Section 6, won 28-21 at No. 3 Rosemount, an Irish team most people expected to meet No. 1 Lakeville North in the state tournament quarterfinals. But Hopkins prevailed as senior quarterback Oscar Johnson-Dorothy completed 17 of 27 passes for 197 yards. He threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns, the second with less than two minutes left. Hopkins struggled against powers Eden Prairie, Maple Grove and Prior Lake. Winning on the road proved the Royals, while beaten often, never bowed.

Best shot at champs?

Maple Grove is considered by many to be the only team capable of upsetting four-time defending state champion Eden Prairie. If both No. 1 seeds continue to advance, they won’t meet until the Prep Bowl. But the Crimson must avoid a lapse Friday against Armstrong. The Falcons defeated Maple Grove 20-0 in the 2009 playoffs. In 2011, Matt Lombardi became Maple Grove’s coach. His debut? An 18-16 loss to Armstrong. Lombardi was the Wayzata defensive coordinator in 2003 when the Falcons defeated the Trojans in the section final and made their most recent state tournament appearance.