Pushing “Zero Week” aside, this Thursday and Friday marks the second full week of high school football in Minnesota. It’s still too early to pinpoint the best teams in the state as many potential contenders are still finding their footing. That said, these are the 10 best games in Week 2 – and all of them are on Friday night.
Chanhassen vs. Owatonna
Chanhassen looks like a beastly team after defeating defending 5A champ Elk River in Week 1. Players to watch include Gopher-bound edge rusher Sam Macy and NDSU-bound running back Maxwell Woods. Owatonna smacked Hastings 42-7 in Week 1.
Rogers vs. Moorhead
The Spuds travel southeast after knocking off Spring Lake Park in its opener. Rogers is believed to be one of the top teams in the state, led by Oklahoma-bound edge rusher Wyatt Gilmore, who is the No. 2 recruit in Minnesota, per 247Sports. The Royals reached the state semifinals last year and blanked Sartell-St. Stephen 45-0 in Week 1.
Stewartville vs. Kasson-Mantorville
Stewartville handed the Komets two of its three losses last season, including in the section playoffs. K-M is off to a fast start after putting up 49 points in a win over Delano while Stewartville, which reached the state tournament a year ago, is 1-0 after beating a strong Waseca team in Week 1.
Shakopee vs. Prior Lake
The Sabers put up 72 points in a win over Hopkins in Week 1 and now they’ll be tested at home against a Prior Lake team that features future Minnesota Gophers defensive lineman Jide Abasiri. Prior Lake beat Forest Lake 7-6 in the opener, so this is a battle of a high-powered offense against a stingy defense.
Andover vs. Mankato West
Mankato West, led by Gopher-bound wide receiver Jalen Smith, went 12-1 last season and lost to Elk River in the Prep Bowl. They shut out Northfield 42-0 in Week 1. Andover likes to throw the ball and used its strong passing attack to top St. Thomas Academy 55-29 in Week 1.
Cretin-Derham Hall vs. Bemidji
Bemidji boasts speed and athleticism while running a triple-option offense, but they gave up five plays of 40+ yards in a Week 1 loss to Monticello. Now they travel to the Twin Cities to face the Raiders, who are led by quarterback Miles Bollinger, who just so happens to be the son of ex-Vikings QB Brooks Bollinger.
Eden Prairie vs. Edina
It’s Eden Prairie and Edina. What more could one ask for in Week 2? Can Edina hang with the Eagles, who are thirsty for a state championship since it’s been ages (5 years in real life) since they last won the big game?
Rosemount vs. Lakeville North
Lakeville North stomped Stillwater 35-14 and Rosemount shut out Eastview 35-0 in Week 1. Two classic 6A powers going toe-to-toe is worth the watch. The Irish, if you’ll recall, went undefeated until losing to Maple Grove in the Prep Bowl last year.
Brainerd vs. Elk River
Brainerd handed Mahtomedi a 34-6 whooping in Week 1 and didn’t allow a play longer than 25 yards, according to the Brainerd Dispatch. Elk River is the defending Class 5A state champion and coming off a 34-28 loss to Chanhassen. Elk River has just five starters back from last year’s team but was actually leading Chanhassen at the half in Week 1.
Willmar vs. Marshall
Ryan Rohlik, the radio voice of Marshall High School sports, noted in a text to Bring Me The Sports that Marshall beat Willmar last year in the section semifinals, though Marshall is coming off a loss to Jordan in Week 1 while Willmar is 1-0 and has almost everyone back from last year’s team. Marshall hasn’t started 0-2 since 2013.
