Minnesota's high school football state quarterfinal action concludes Saturday, when the four Class 5A games take the field. Three of those contests feature east metro programs, and the three matchups previewed here all kick off at 1 p.m.
The game of greatest local interest pairs Hastings (9-1) with unbeaten Mankato West (10-0) at Park Center High School. Led by Gophers commit Zack Shatek, Hastings is a legitimate contender to lift a state championship trophy in the program's first state tournament appearance since 2003.
That said, this is a tall task for Hastings. Mankato West brings an equally potent running game, though it operates in a slightly less explosive manner. There is little to go on when comparing the two teams, but one result jumps out: Hastings' only loss this season came against Mankato East, a team Mankato West defeated 42-8 back in September. Predicted outcome: Mankato West 41, Hastings 31.
Over at Woodbury High School, undefeated Cretin-Derham Hall (10-0) squares off against Northfield (8-2). The Raiders are making their third consecutive state tournament appearance, yet each of the last two seasons has ended at precisely this quarterfinal stage, both of them in heartbreaking fashion.
This year's squad appears built to take the next step, pairing a dynamic passing game with a defense that makes scoring 20 points look like an unreachable feat for opponents. Even so, Northfield is expected to give Cretin-Derham Hall a stiff test. Predicted outcome: Cretin-Derham Hall 24, Northfield 14.
The day's remaining previewed game, at Rocori High School, matches Spring Lake Park (6-4) against Brainerd (9-1). Spring Lake Park has already avenged one regular season loss in these playoffs, taking down Robbinsdale Armstrong in the section final.
Brainerd won the first meeting between the teams 52-42 in the regular season finale, a night when both teams moved the ball effectively through the air but Brainerd was far more effective on the ground. Spring Lake Park, the defending Class 5A champion, will have to be better in the trenches this time around to extend its title defense. Predicted outcome: Brainerd 35, Spring Lake Park 27.
Saturday's results will trim the Class 5A field from eight teams to four and close out a quarterfinal round that has been playing out across the state's classes this week.
