High School Football: First-round predictions for Class 6A playoffs

No. 6* St. Michael-Albertville (3-5) at No. 3 Stillwater (4-4), 7 p.m.

It was a tale of two seasons for Stillwater in the regular season. The Ponies opened the year 3-1 with impressive wins over East Ridge and Mounds View. But they stumbled after that, dropping three straight before regaining their footing in the finale against Park. Perhaps that was exactly the tune-up the Ponies needed to gallop deep into the playoffs. Our pick: Stillwater 27, St. Michael-Albertville 21

No. 6 Rosemount (1-7) at No. 3 Blaine (5-3), 7 p.m.

Nothing about this Rosemount defense feels like a 1-7 team. The Irish are stout on that end, as they have been for years. But it has proven difficult to move the ball and put up points which, against Rosemount’s schedule, makes it difficult to win games. But that defense keeps Rosemount in just about every game. So don’t be surprised if Blaine receives a scare before ultimately prevailing. Our pick: Blaine 20, Rosemount 14

No. 6 Wayzata (4-4) at No. 3 Lakeville South (5-3), 7 p.m.

A rematch of a Week 1 bout won 17-14 by Wayzata. The Trojans are tough, with wins this season over the Cougars, Eden Prairie and Anoka. Wayzata shut down the Cougars’ running game in that early-season meeting. That can’t happen again if Lakeville South hopes to survive Friday. But at some point, the Cougars’ well-established mettle means something this time of year. Our pick: Lakeville South 23, Wayzata 21

No. 5 Champlin Park (3-5) at No. 4 East Ridge (5-3), 7 p.m.

The Rebels have been playing some excellent football over the past three weeks, but they have only one win to show for it, along with narrow defeats to Blaine and Lakeville South. The Raptors should be buzzing entering the playoffs fresh off consecutive wins over Lakeville North and Rochester Mayo, and East Ridge is a team that always performs this time of year. But one thing East Ridge has struggled to do is stop the run, and that’s the driving force for all of Champlin Park’s offensive success. Our pick: Champlin Park 20, East Ridge 17

No. 5 Prior Lake (4-4) at No. 4 Farmington (5-3), 7 p.m.

Two teams that lost competitive games to the best teams they faced all year, and handled their business in every game they should’ve won. How they stack up against one another should be fascinating. When in doubt, go with the do-it-all quarterback in Tigers signal caller Jonah Ask. Our pick: Farmington 33, Prior Lake 31

*= playoff seed