Prep Blog: Week 4, Previewing 'The Big 4'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Another huge week in high school football is set to kick off in Minnesota Friday night with several top teams facing each other.
We're now at the midpoint of the season for most teams. Halfway through, the conference races around the state have taken shape and teams are starting to work towards playoff positioning. Every week is big in prep football, but this week is especially huge as undefeated and highly-ranked teams face off, putting their perfect season on the line. At the same time, it's still early enough to recover from a loss and build that crucial momentum before the playoffs.
There are several big games around the state Friday night, but we can only choose four. Here are our top match-ups for Week 4 in high school football.
Hutchinson (3-0) at Orono (3-0)
There's a huge match-up west of the Twin Cities Friday night that has Wright County Conference title implications later this year as Orono hosts Hutchinson. Both teams are unbeaten at 3-0, and the Spartans are ranked No. 5 in Class 4A, while the Tigers are the top-ranked team and the defending state champions. In fact, they've won the last two Class 4A titles. It's our featured game for WCCO-TV's High School Sports Rally.
Hutchinson is on a 29-game winning streak as it hasn't lost since Nov. 4, 2011, a section title game to Mankato West. The Tigers are on a roll with three wins to start this season, and they have yet to be tested on either side of the ball. They've given up a total of 15 points in three wins and scored at least 47. The Tigers shut out their rival, Glencoe-Silver Lake, 47-0 last week. Hutchinson is led by the running back duo of Robbie Grimsley and Isaiah Nelson. They each average more than 100 yards per game and have combined for 10 touchdowns.
Orono is also off to a 3-0 start with wins over Glencoe-Silver Lake, Annandale and Mound-Westonka last week. The Spartans are led by quarterback Hank Seward, who is averaging more than 200 passing yards per game and has eight touchdowns. Running back David McCuskey is averaging 143 rushing yards per game and has two rushing touchdowns.
Hutchinson is known for running the football and stopping the run, and I'll take the Tigers to go on the road and get the win.
Mankato West (3-0) at Owatonna (3-0)
Owatonna and Mankato West have formed quite the rivalry in recent years, and with the Big Nine Conference title going through both those towns, they've had plenty of big games. That's no different this year as the Scarlets are currently the No. 1-ranked team in Class 5A, while the Huskies are ranked No. 3 and are coming off a state championship. Their styles couldn't be more different as Owatonna keeps it on the ground in the run game, while Mankato West likes to spread the football out and throw it down the field. The Huskies will have to contain quarterback Ryan Schlichte, who is averaging nearly 280 passing yards per game and has 13 passing touchdowns on the season, to get the victory.
Hill-Murray (2-1) at St. Thomas Academy (2-1)
There's a battle east of the Twin Cities Friday night to stay above .500 and in the top half of the Metro East Conference as St. Thomas Academy hosts Hill-Murray. Both teams come in having won two straight games after season-opening losses. One will leave Friday with a 3-1 record and a promising rest of the season, while the other is 2-2 and searching for answers. Will quarterback Ryan Barnes and running back Sean McFadden lead the Cadets, or will running back Marshawn Wilson lead the Pioneers to victory?
Wayzata (1-2) at Totino-Grace (3-0)
Wayzata is off to an unusually slow 1-2 start, and the schedule for the Trojans doesn't get any easier as they travel to Fridley Friday night to take on Totino-Grace. The Eagles are 3-0 and ranked No. 6 in Class 6A. They're coming off an emotional 34-33 overtime win over rival Spring Lake Park last week. Totino-Grace is led by running back Kez Flomo, who runs for more than 190 yards per game and has seven rushing touchdowns. The Trojans have lost two straight and a desperate for a win as their closing stretch includes games against Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. But if anyone will have Wayzata ready to play, it's head coach Brad Anderson.
Tune into WCCO-TV's High School Sports Rally at about 10:20 p.m. Friday as Mike Max, Frank Vascellaro and David McCoy will have all the action covered.
