Jim Paulsen and David La Vaque pick Friday’s state quarterfinal games involving metro-area teams.

Class 6A

MINNETONKA (9-1) Vs. PRIOR LAKE (7-3)

7 P.M. at Osseo

Jim says: Minnetonka took Rosemount’s best shot, yet never relinquished control of the game. Prior Lake’s last loss was Sept. 22 to none other than Minnetonka, 27-8. This one will be closer.

Pick: Minnetonka 17, Prior Lake 14

David says: Prior Lake, employing the relentless, physical style that has made it a budding program, played its most complete game of the season last week and made a good Blaine offense look bad.

Pick: Prior Lake 21, Minnetonka 20

EDINA (8-2) Vs. CRETIN-DERHAM HALL (7-2)

7 p.m. AT WHITE BEAR LAKE

Jim says: The key matchup is Edina’s offensive line vs. Cretin-Derham Hall’s defensive front. If the Hornets can sustain a push and control the clock, they should be able to wear the Raiders down.

Pick: Edina 21, Cretin-Derham Hall 14

David says: I beg to differ, sir. The game within the game is how often Cretin-Derham Hall’s offensive line keeps Edina’s defensive line out of the backfield.

Pick: Edina 17, Cretin-Derham Hall 14

Class 5A

ANDOVER (8-2) Vs. ELK RIVER (9-1) 7 p.m. AT MOUNDS VIEW

Jim says: A rematch from Oct. 13, when the Elks beat the Huskies 69-54. Elk River survived a late St. Cloud Tech rally last week, a character-building effort that should pay off here.

Pick: Elk River 38, Andover 30

David says: It was Carsen Syke’s 125 rushing yards on 35 carries last week for Andover that caught my eye. The Huskies need another workhorse game from Syke to pull the upset.

Pick: Andover 34, Elk River 27

Class 4A

WINONA (10-0) Vs. FRIDLEY (8-3)

7 p.m. AT FARMINGTON

Jim says: Winona, 4A runners-up in 2016, has not been seriously challenged this season. And it played a tougher schedule than Fridley, which barely held off DeLaSalle last week.

Pick: Winona 44, Fridley 21

David says: Winona RB Robert Warren has returned from a shoulder injury and gives QB Riley Bosteter a fellow backfield mate with game-breaking skills.

Pick: Winona 42, Fridley 14

ROCORI (10-0) Vs. HOLY ANGELS (9-1)

5 p.m. AT ST. CLOUD STATE

Jim says: Rocori used a run-heavy attack to defeat Fergus Falls 30-0 in the Section 8 final to earn its fourth consecutive trip to state tournament. The Spartans are built to win at this time of year.

Pick: Rocori 27, Holy Angels 20

David says: If it’s a run game you desire, then don’t overlook Holy Angels tandem of Joseph Heimbold and Thomas Shelstad. They overpowered Orono last week for 168 yards and four TDs.

Pick: Holy Angels 28, Rocori 24

 

MARSHALL (10-0) Vs. SOUTH ST. PAUL (8-2)

7 p.m. AT SHAKOPEE WEST JR HIGH

Jim says: Marshall is averaging a state-best 55 points per game with a low of 34. There’s talent behind those numbers in the form of QB Trey Lance and RB Jefferson Lee V.

Pick: Marshall 40, South St. Paul 28

David says: Better offensive balance was deemed necessary after South St. Paul’s shutout loss to Winona last year. But to this point, it’s been the same old Packers with a physical, precise run game.

Pick: Marshall 28, South St. Paul 20

BECKER (7-4) Vs. CLOQUET (10-0)

8 p.m. AT ST. CLOUD STATE

Jim says: It’s difficult to pick against coach Dwight Lundeen’s Becker team at this time of year, but Cloquet has a special group of athletes, led by QB Tim Pokornowski and RB Spencer Wehr.

Pick: Cloquet 36, Becker 33

David says: Wehr scored seven TDs last week but the numbers of greater importance are the Becker players’ heights and weights. Cloquet must figure out how to execute against a bigger opponent.

Pick: Becker 30, Cloquet 24

Class 2A

CALEDONIA (10-0) Vs. MINNEAPOLIS NORTH (10-0)

7 p.m. AT BURNSVILLE

Jim says: The two longest active winning streaks square off, Caledonia (38 in a row) and North (23). Caledonia is solid on both sides of the ball, with QB Owen King running the show on offense.

Pick: Caledonia 33, Minneapolis North 16

David says: North returned a kick and punt for TDs last week to help overcome an early 14-0 deficit. The Polars also pass the ball well. But Caledonia’s defense sees King in practice every day.

Pick: Caledonia 31, Minneapolis North 28