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by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 9/5/2008)
I'm a week shy, but there's no time like the present to start up with what I feel are the state's top games of the week. But I'm going to do it a bit differently than other outlets. We'll take a look at the top game in each of the six classes in the state.
It's cheating a bit, as the Minnetonka-Wayzata game is undoubtedly at the top of everybody's list...including mine.
We ranked Wayzata as the top team in the state in our preseason poll and the Trojans did not disappoint, routing Rochester Century in their opener, 42-0. Kevin Knight rushed for 130 first-half yards and scored two touchdowns, one on a 74-yard run.
Minnetonka, our No. 3 team, also rolled over a Rochester foe, beating Mayo 48-13. Senior Ismail Karon got the Skippers off and running, scoring on two 20+ yard runs in the first half.
The winner of this one grabs hold of -- or retains -- the top ranking in the state and cements itself as a state title contender. The loser licks its wounds and prepares for a certain deep playoff run.
Sure, East isn't considered in the same class as West, ranked No. 3 in our preseason poll. But this is still a battle for supremacy in Mankato.
West kicked off its season with an impressive 35-13 win at Northfield. Ray Teachout connected with Mike Richter for two touchdowns and Aaron Richter for another as the Scarlets' passing game was humming.
East was also impressive in beating our No. 15 team, Detroit Lakes, on the road, 28-14. Junior running back Kenthen King romped through the Lakers' defense for 301 yards on 35 carries.
Some may have chosen the Totino-Grace/Benilde-St. Margaret's private school showdown, and while both are in our top-10, I had to go with the crosstown rivalry.
The Panthers proved their No. 1 ranking wasn't a mirage, beating the 10th-ranked team a class up (Hutchinson), 20-7 last week. The defending state champions had two 5-yard touchdown runs from senior Mitchell Nowak. This week, they open their Wright County Conference season against Dassel-Cokato.
The Chargers pounded visiting Mound-Westonka, 43-21, behind four short rushing touchdowns from Curt Aho. Oddly, the Whitehawks were up 15-6 at the end of the first quarter before D-C scored 37 unanswered points.
There weren't any top-ranked Class AA teams battling it out tonight, but we'll head southwest to find what could be a good one. Two unbeaten Southwest Conference teams look to get a leg up on the conference race.
The Cardinals posted a 37-6 victory over Martin County West in their season opener. Phil Paquette rushed for 85 yards and quarterback Ryan Hoff passed for 77 in workmanlike efforts.
JCC edged Blue Earth Area, 10-7, on Trevor Hage's last-second field goal. Quarterback Nathan Brandt paced the offense with 130 yards passing and 36 rushing.
Cook County opened its season by pitching a 26-0 shutout at Ely. A big senior class is hoping to erase the memory of a loss to Adrian in the state semifinals last year. Now they travel back to their territory tucked up along Lake Superior just under the Canadian border to take on Barnum.
The Bombers did just that to Carlton, beating the visiting Bulldogs 34-6. It was a strong start for coach Kevin Haley's crew, led by its strong offensive line. Haley admitted preseason that Cook County is his school's biggest rival and toughest road game. Tonight he gets both in one crack.
All eyes are on the Storm...how long can they keep it up?
The Storm rolled over Ada-Borup, 41-8, in their season opener to extend their state record winning streak to 68 games. Who's to bet against them making it 69 tonight?
Meanwhile, Climax-Fisher hopes to rebound from a discouraging 40-20 defeat at home to Win-E-Mac last Thursday. They were our 15th-ranked 9-man team in the preseason, but are in real danger of dropping out of the rankings with another loss.
Before Stephen-Argyle's recent run, the Knights were the team from Section 8 to give them the most trouble, making three state tournaments in four years (1999, 2000, 2002). Seems like ancient history now.
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