Top games: Rivals, perennial state contenders Mankato West and Winona meet in league contest

By Taylor Lunemann, SportsEngine, 09/17/18, 12:30PM CDT

Sept. 21: Seeking revenge from last season while seizing control of the Big Southeast Blue subdistrict, the Scarlets look to knock off the Winhawks.

Mankato West has traditionally dominated Winona, and the undefeated Scarlets hope last season's loss was an outlier while the unbeaten WInhawks look to up the ante. Photo by Cheryl Myers, 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

Mountain Lake Area vs. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 21. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton avenged a 26-22 regular-season loss to Mountain Lake Area last season by winning an 8-6 contest in the teams' 9-Man state quarterfinal showdown in 2017. Will it be another close one when the No. 6-9-Man Knights (3-0, 3-0) meet the Wolverines (3-0, 3-0) in a 9-Man South West subdistrict clash this Friday?

East Ridge vs. Roseville, 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 21. East Ridge has already grabbed control of the Metro East subdistrict and will look to stay atop the standings this week against No. 9-6A Roseville. The Raptors (2-1, 2-0) edged the Raiders (2-1, 1-1) in a 17-16 contest last year, which extended their winning streak in the matchup to six games.

Minneapolis North vs. Breck, 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 21. Minneapolis North grabbed the Twin City Red subdistrict crown in dominating fashion last season. The No. 2-2A Polars (3-0, 3-0) look poised to take another league title, but undefeated and No. 6-3A Breck (3-0, 2-0) will look to play spoiler.