Section Championship Preview: Class 3A, and 2A
I could go more in depth of all the class 4A and 5A games, but the smaller levels produce some of the best games year in and year out. There are plenty of other section championship games, but I will…
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Continue ReadingI could go more in depth of all the class 4A and 5A games, but the smaller levels produce some of the best games year in and year out. There are plenty of other section championship games, but I will showcase what I believe to be three of the most intriguing matchups this weekend. *You can find my full class 4A and 5A section championship preview .
Section 6AAA
#1 Albany (9-0) vs. #2 Pierz (9-0)
11/1 @St. Cloud State University, 8pm
X-Factor: Noah Rueter, RB, junior
(photo via: Mick Hatten, mhatten@stcloudtimes.com)During the regular season 86.1 percent of Albany’s total offensive yards came from their running game. Junior running back Noah Rueter led the way with 679 yards and 10 touchdowns, he also contributed to the little passing success they’ve had with 152 receiving yards and one score during the first eight games of the season. Fellow junior running back Will Mergen had very similar success before the playoffs began. He finished the regular season with 606 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as well. Albany’s two headed monster of a rushing attack will look to continue their success, Friday night against Pierz.
X-Factor: Matthias Algarin, RB/WR/KR/PR/DB, senior
Mathias Algarin at “The Opening” (Photo via: 247sports.com)The Pioneers have built one of the most successful programs in class 3A. Since 2011 they have appeared in every state tournament except for 2012. This season they are led by talented do-it-all senior Matthias Algarin. The 5’11” offensive weapon currently holds offers from Wisconsin, Nebraska, and South Dakota State. In the regular season he contributed all over the field, amassing over 1,300 all-purpose yards and over 18 touchdowns. He recently led Pierz to a 48-0 victory over Minnewaska in their first playoff game. Algarin put together a ridiculous 168 yards from scrimmage and 3 total touchdowns. As a team Pierz has allowed an unfathomable 48 points the whole season and 28 of those came in a week two matchup against Paynesville. The Pioneers will look to keep their streak of seven straight state tournament appearances alive on Friday night.
Section 1AA
#1 Caledonia (9-0) vs. #3 Chatfield (8-2)
11/1 @Kasson-Mantorville High School, 7pm
X-Factor: Noah King, QB/DB, senior
The historically dominant class 2A power-house Caledonia is led by senior quarterback Noah King. King is quite the athlete–as he is committed to South Dakota State to play basketball next season. The 6’2″ senior has led Caledonia high powered offense to 41.75 points per game in the regular season. He had 1,326 passing yards in the regular season along with 20 touchdowns. King also had success on the ground where 469 yards and 11 touchdowns in the first eight games of the season. Noah’s main target in the passing game is his younger brother Elijah King–who brought in 25 catches for 517 yards and 11 touchdowns on the regular season. The defending class 2A state champions will look to defend their belt Friday night against a pesky Chatfield squad.
X-Factor: Sam Backer, RB, freshman
(Photo via: www.hbci.com)Chatfield is one of the cinderella stories of this year’s playoff season. After a relatively inconsistent regular season where the Gophers finished 6-2 with some close victories throughout the season. They’re led by junior QB Reid Johnson who has been a great game manager for Chatfield this season. Their offense is ran through a FRESHMAN running back. Sam Backer had 21 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown in the Gophers 20-0 victory over the second seeded Lewiston-Altura last weekend. Chatfield will look to forget about their week for 8-41 loss against Caledonia, as they look to make an appearance in this year’s state tournament.
Section 4AA
#1 Minneapolis North (9-0) vs. #3 St. Agnes (9-1)
11/1 @Monticello High School, 5pm
X-Factor: Terrance Kamara, RB, junior
Minneapolis North has been absolutely dominant this season. The Polars have outscored their opponents by a ridiculous 319-26. Junior running back Terrance Kamara has been the focal point of their offense. In the regular season the talented back ran for 1,474 yards on only 145 carries (10.4 YPC)– he found the end-zone 22 times on the ground. The lethal Polars’ defense has been led by senior defensive lineman Quientrail Jamison-Travis this season. Jamison-Travis had an astounding 15 sacks on the regular season (2nd in MN). Minneapolis North and junior QB Zach Yeager will look to clinch their sixth straight state tournament birth Friday night against a very underrated St. Agnes team.
😳 @zach7yeager 😳 pic.twitter.com/cxqwIMkALs
— Hudl (@Hudl) October 15, 2019
X-Factor: John Patros, RB, sophomore
St. Agnes is a very underrated team that quietly dominated the regular season. Their defense let up a very respectable 42 points on the regular season. Their only loss in the first eight games of the season came by only two points against a very good Concordia Academy team. The St. Agnes offense runs through sophomore running back John Patros. The offensive weapon put together 850 rushing yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season. The Aggies might not have the same experience as Minneapolis North, but they might have enough fire power to take down the Polars.
**Disclaimer: I decided to not preview the 6A games, because they’re technically already playing in the state tournament**