2008 Prep Bowl preview

NINE-MAN

Houston (13-0) vs. Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley (13-0), 10 a.m.

John says: Everyone had an eye on Kittson County Central after the Bearcats knocked off Stephen-Argyle in the Section 8 playoffs. But then Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley upset the apple cart further by beating the Bearcats 8-7 in the state semifinals. This is an extremely tough game to predict, with both Houston and C-G-B recording one blowout and one narrow escape in the state tournament. Houston is known for scoring early and often, and that's why I'm leaning toward the Hurricanes today.

• Pick: Houston 23, C-G-B 18.

Jim says: How low under the radar can an undefeated team fly? Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley has done everything asked of it, beating all comers, yet still it gets little respect. Sure, the Wolverines are not flashy - they have no 1,000-yard rusher, and stingy defense is their calling card - but they've shown resiliency and a penchant for winning tough games. If the Wolverines can hang with Houston early, they should be in great shape to pull things out at the end.

• Pick: C-G-B 33, Houston 23

CLASS 1A

Royalton (12-1) vs. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (11-2), 1 p.m.

John says: Both teams have postseason experience; K-M-S lost to eventual state champ Goodhue in the semifinals a year ago, one week after Goodhue defeated Royalton. They are very familiar with each other, too, being members of the Prairie South Conference; Royalton beat the Fighting Saints 22-7 in Week 6. There will be no surprises today on either side, and their first matchup provides enough evidence to make this pick.

• Pick: Royalton 24, K-M-S 21

Jim says: OK, Royalton won the first meeting. In normal situations, that might be enough to make the Royals the favorite for this one. But K-M-S coach James Cortez has revamped his offensive line since that loss, replacing the center and the entire left side. Since then, the Saints have reeled off seven victories in a row and averaged 40 points in the process. That, and a little motivating factor called revenge, will make the difference.

• Pick: K-M-S 34, Royalton 30

CLASS 2A

Caledonia (12-1) vs. Luverne (12-1), 4 p.m.

John says: This is a rematch of last year's Prep Bowl, which Caledonia won 14-7, and this is Luverne's third consecutive state championship game. The Cardinals have yet to win a title, but they have shown they can win the close ones, surviving the state quarterfinals in overtime and holding off top-ranked Hawley in a semifinal that lasted until the last tick of the clock. Both teams appear better and faster than a year ago, when the title was decided by one touchdown. This time, it's Luverne's turn.

• Pick: Luverne 20, Caledonia 17

Jim says: One look at Caledonia's schedule tells you all you need to know -- the Warriors' only loss was to Class 3A Plainview/Elgin-Millville. In the third week of the season. In overtime. That and a double-OT victory over Southland in Week 7 are the Warriors' only close games this year. They're a big, physical bunch with enough offensive balance to keep opponents honest. A second consecutive championship is likely.

• Pick: Caledonia 28, Luverne 18

CLASS 5A

Blaine (11-1) vs. Wayzata (12-0), 7 p.m.

John says: Blaine has been grabbing the postseason headlines, and rightfully so. The Bengals have done everything they needed to do, including narrow victories over Eden Prairie and Cretin-Derham Hall. Along with an explosive offense and rock-solid defense, Blaine also has won the turnover battle. The Bengals have not committed one postseason turnover, and they took the ball away from Cretin-Derham Hall three times in the semifinals. Wayzata, meanwhile, has been quietly steamrolling its way through the season. With the exception of a 16-10 victory over Edina in the regular-season finale, no opponent has come within 17 points of the Trojans. The heart says Blaine, the head says Wayzata.

• Pick: Wayzata 27, Blaine 24

Jim says: Why not Blaine? No one thought the Bengals could handle the Eden Prairie freight train, and they did. Then experts (including me) were certain that Cretin-Derham Hall had too much talent for Blaine. Wrong again. Do we dare pick against Blaine now? Well, yes, because Wayzata is the most complete team Blaine has faced. The Trojans' offensive line is the state's best, their WRs are unstoppable and their backfield is quick and talented. What sets Wayzata apart is its defense. It might be the only team you'll see whose defense is faster than its offense, which will frustrate Blaine into mistakes.

• Pick: Wayzata 24, Blaine 7

CLASS 3A

DeLaSalle (13-0) vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake (12-1), Saturday, noon

John says: This is another rematch from 2007, when Glencoe- Silver Lake rolled to a 56-20 victory, capturing its second consecutive title and fourth since 2000. The Panthers can cement their reputation as the state's top current dynasty with a victory today, but the Islanders won't make it easy. DeLaSalle learned some things from last year's matchup, and the Islanders are a veteran group. Glencoe-Silver Lake has a rare advantage for a 3A team, playing two-platoon football. That usually wears opponents down, but TV timeouts in the Prep Bowl somewhat negate that advantage. Nonetheless, the Panthers appear too solid.

• Pick: Glencoe-Silver Lake 31, DeLaSalle 27

Jim says: I am a firm believer in the theory that nothing does more to prepare a team for the postseason than a tough regular-season schedule. Glencoe-Silver Lake went 7-1 in the Wright County Conference, which features four Class 4A teams, and beat Hutchinson in a nonconference game. DeLaSalle went undefeated in the Tri-Metro, a league that does not provide the game-in, game-out test of the Wright County. DeLaSalle is talented and has not scored fewer than 31 points in any game this season, but are the Islanders battle-tested?

• Pick: Glencoe-Silver Lake 31, DeLaSalle 26.

CLASS 4A

Northfield (10-3) vs. Mankato West (12-1), Saturday, 3 p.m.

John says: It's no surprise to see West in the Prep Bowl after a dominant season marred only by a seven-point loss to 5A Owatonna. The Scarlets are a high-flying outfit that was showcased in a 38-14, 424-yard semifinal victory over St. Michael-Albertville. Much has happened since West beat Northfield 35-13 in the season opener. The Raiders, who lost twice more in the season's first month, are the turnaround team of '08. Northfield's postseason opponents are averaging only 10 points, while West has scored almost 39 points per playoff game. No team has scored more than two TDs against the Scarlets. To win, Northfield has to score in bunches and win the turnover battle.

• Pick: Mankato West 27, Northfield 17

Jim says: Clearly, Northfield, after a 1-3 start that included a loss to Mankato West, appeals to those of us who root for the underdog. But Northfield just does not have enough to stay with West, a pick-your-poison kind of team. RB Paul Berndt has rushed for more than 1,000 yards, WRs Aaron and Mike Richter have nearly 2,000 yards receiving, QB Ray Teachout always makes good decisions and distributes the ball well and WR/KR Brad Wiest has the speed to go the distance any time he touches the ball.

Who do you stop?

• Pick: Mankato West 35, Northfield 23