High school football: Section final predictions

CLASS 6A

No. 3 Edina (7-2) at No. 2 Eagan (6-3), 7 p.m.

Eagan drew the highest-touted No. 3 seed in the Class 6A bracket, which also happened to beat the Wildcats in Week 1. So a tall task stands between Eagan and its first-ever state tournament appearance. But as they showed earlier in the season, the Wildcats can go toe-to-toe with anyone. OUR PICK: Edina 24, Eagan 21

No. 5 Prior Lake (5-4) at No. 1 Mounds View (7-2), 7 p.m.

Prior Lake’s record took a hit amid a grueling west metro schedule, but the Lakers have won four straight, including a convincing first-round win in Farmington. They’re for real. Which sets up an intriguing clash with a Mounds View team that has proven to be the best the Metro East had to offer this season, with a stout defense and dynamic offense headed by dual-threat quarterback Jacob Sampson. Sampson will be the key Friday, because as good as the Mustangs’ defense has been, Mounds View may have to score alongside the Lakers just to keep up. OUR PICK: Mounds View 34, Prior Lake 31

No. 5 Champlin Park (4-5) at No. 1 Lakeville North (8-1), 7 p.m.

Dual-threat quarterback Preston Thielke was magic for the Rebels in their playoff-opening upset of East Ridge, and will present Lakeville North with some difficult questions to answer Friday. But Lakeville North’s offensive balance has flexed its muscle all season, and figures to be too much for the Rebels this week. If the Panthers don’t beat themselves with turnovers, they could be in for a deep run. OUR PICK: Lakeville North 38, Champlin Park 20

No. 3 Lakeville South (6-3) at No. 2 Anoka (6-3), 7 p.m.

Peyton Podany has been dynamite at signal caller for Anoka, and makes the Tornadoes a threat in any game. But the way Lakeville South handled Wayzata last week, demonstrating a ground game dominance in the process, suggests the Cougars may have found a different gear they needed to hit in these playoffs. OUR PICK: Lakeville South 35, Anoka 27

No. 3 Blaine (6-3) at No. 2 Forest Lake (7-2), 7 p.m.

Blaine quarterback Sam Shaughnessy had the game of a lifetime in the first round, running for 260 yards and three touchdowns, throwing for 167 and two scores, and also engineering the game-winning field goal drive at the end to edge Rosemount in a thriller. But achieving similar success against Forest Lake, which has allowed just 20 points total over the past four weeks, will be a steep task. The Rangers are looking for their first state tournament appearance since 1991. OUR PICK: Forest Lake 21, Blaine 20

CLASS 5A

Section 3

No. 4 Apple Valley (4-6) at No. 2 St. Thomas Academy (6-3), 7 p.m.

St. Thomas Academy built a 46-7 lead through three quarters in an early-October matchup between these two teams. The Cadets’ rushing attack, led by Dominic Baez’s 135 yards and four scores, overwhelmed the Eagles. But if there’s a way to crack the Cadets, it’s through the air. So Apple Valley quarterback Jackson Thornburgh gives the Eagles a puncher’s chance. OUR PICK: St. Thomas Academy 35, Apple Valley 17

Section 4

No. 2 Tartan (5-5) vs. No. 1 Cretin-Derham Hall (5-4), at University of St. Thomas, 7 p.m.

Tartan has the weapons to make this interesting, including running back Jerror Borsay, who scored six times in the semifinal victory over Highland Park. But it’s tough to pick against the Raiders, who have won four straight, all in dominating fashion. A rematch of a Week 1 game won 34-6 by the Raiders. OUR PICK: Cretin-Derham Hall 34, Tartan 16

Section 6

No. 3 Spring Lake Park (4-5) at No. 1 Monticello (7-2), 7 p.m.

What a difference a week can make. The Panthers were losers of four of their last five heading into the playoffs, fresh off a disappointing defeat against Mahtomedi. One upset of Rogers later, and Spring Lake Park is 48 minutes of football away from a state tournament berth. Friday’s game figures to be competitive, too, with two teams that prefer to run the ball dueling it out on the ground in a physical affair. Monticello won the regular-season meeting, 22-14. OUR PICK: Monticello 17, Spring Lake Park 14

CLASS 4A

Section 3

No. 2 Simley (5-4) at No. 1 Hill-Murray (9-1), 7 p.m.

Hat tip to Jackson Reeves, who is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the area. He has guided a dominant Pioneers offense all season. Hill Murray hasn’t scored fewer than 35 points in a game since Week 2. That includes a 49-14 win over the Spartans in late September. But, six weeks later, Simley is healthier, now far more experienced and better positioned to give the Pioneers a true battle. OUR PICK: Hill-Murray 34, Simley 20