Prep Blog: Week 4, Previewing 'The Big 4'
School just got started for everyone across Minnesota, but the high school football season is already well underway. After this week's action, the season will be half over.
It's Week 4 in prep football and several teams are looking to stay undefeated as we head towards the second half of the season. It's also another rivalry week as several teams with history against each other will meet Friday night.
By this point in the season, most teams know their identities and what might be ahead for the rest of the season. It's a key time for many programs as some area headed towards undefeated regular seasons, others still have a good chance at above .500 seasons and some are still looking for that elusive first win. It's not to let to get that big victory and gain momentum for the rest of the fall.
There are a lot of big games this week, but we can only pick four. Here are this week's top match-ups in prep football.
Becker (3-0) at Zimmerman (3-0)
Zimmerman is one of the early surprises in high school football this year. The Thunder are off to a 3-0 start, and they have one of their biggest home games in recent memory Friday night as they host defending state champion Becker. It's a battle of 3-0 teams, and it's our featured game for WCCO-TV's High School Sports Rally.
Zimmerman has had little trouble with opponents while off to a 3-0 start. The Thunder opened with a 42-28 win at Delano. That was followed with a 41-12 win over Foley and a 42-14 win over Milaca. Zimmerman is doing it by running the football, averaging nearly 350 rushing yards per game. The run game is led by quarterback Alex Riley and running back Ben Schnellman. They are combined to average 203 yards per game rushing and 11 touchdowns.
The Bulldogs have pretty much cruised to a 3-0 start with victories over Hutchinson, New London-Spicer and Little Falls to start the season. They've outscored those three opponents by a combined 159-28. So the formula is simple for Becker: Score a ton of points and play great defense. The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Andrew Stanger, who is throwing for nearly 160 yards per game with nine touchdowns and just one interception on the season. Milan Kent is also rushing for about 94 yards per game and leads Becker with five rushing touchdowns.
It should be a great game between a pair of unbeaten teams in a full stadium, the way high school football is meant to be played.
Bloomington Kennedy (0-3) at Bloomington Jefferson (0-3)
City bragging rights are on the line Friday night in Bloomington as Jefferson faces Kennedy. Neither time likes the spot they are in after three games as for one team, it'll be their first win of the season. The Jaguars were a state tournament team last year, but started this season with losses to Robbinsdale Cooper, Orono and Holy Angels. The Eagles are 0-3 after losses to Park Center, Waconia and Chaska. They're still searching for an offensive spark as Kennedy has just two offensive touchdowns through three games.
Maple Grove (2-1) at Eden Prairie (3-0)
Two of the top teams in Class 6A and the metro meet Friday night as Eden Prairie hosts Maple Grove. It's a rematch of last year's state semifinal game, which Eden Prairie won 13-7. The Eagles have won 28 straight games dating back to the 2013 season and started the fall with wins over Totino-Grace, Edina and Hopkins. The Crimson has rebounded from a Week 1 loss at Osseo with wins over Hopkins and Edina. It's a great match-up of skilled athletes between Carter Coughlin and J.D. Spielman of Eden Prairie with Brad Davison and Isaac Collins of Maple Grove.
Osseo (3-0) at Totino-Grace (2-1)
It might be one of the best match-ups on paper Friday night as unbeaten Osseo looks to stay perfect on the season, heading to Fridley to take on powerhouse Totino-Grace. The two teams met in the regular season finale last year, with the Eagles prevailing in a 31-24 contest. The Orioles have plenty of athletes, led by quarterback Malik Gaillard, who is passing for nearly 200 yards per game with five touchdowns. Prince Kruah is running for 146 yards per game and has two touchdowns. Osseo is 3-0 after wins over Maple Grove, Andover and Anoka.
The Eagles are led by the rushing duo of Gayflor Flomo and Ivan Burlak, who are combining for 190 rushing yards per game and six touchdowns. After a season-opening loss to Eden Prairie, Totino-Grace has consecutive wins over Anoka and Andover.
Tune into WCCO-TV's High School Sports Rally as Mike Max, Frank Vascellaro and David McCoy will have all the action covered.