Switch to wishbone sparks Northfield

About the same time the winner of the annual riding lawnmower race was being crowned at Northfield High School on the Tuesday of Homecoming week, the Raiders football team began practicing the wishbone offense. And just as the winner of that race was recognized at the football game Oct. 2, so, too, was a newfound offense gaining confidence. In a very short amount of time, it became a determining factor for what has been a successful second half of the season.

Northfield won that game 23-12 over previously undefeated Prior Lake. Since then, the Raiders (6-2) have won every game, earning the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A, Section 1 tournament.

"The last half of our season we've certainly been getting better each game, and that's what you want to be doing at this time of year," veteran coach Bubba Sullivan said.

While the wishbone offense --primarily a ball-control offense -- has been successful when implemented, Northfield's defense has shined of late.

The Raiders closed out the regular season allowing 21 points in the past two games, and some big turnovers have led to short field opportunities for the skill players.

"We're physical, and we get to the ball," Sullivan said.

That hard work helped Northfield dodge a potential bullet. The first-round bye means the Raiders do not play until Saturday. A run of illness affected the school Monday, Sullivan said, causing several students to miss school.

"Right now, it's helping us be healthy and put a team on the field," Sullivan said of the extended break. "I hope by Saturday, we'll be ready after the long layoff."

Eastview junior girls' swimmer Kayla Hutsell started early. By the midway point of her freshman year, she had broken the home pool and school records in the 100-yard butterfly. Two years later, she still has that record in the event and has also added school records as a part of the Lightning's 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay.

Her 100 butterfly time of 58.32 seconds, while short of her record, is among the best in the metro so far this season.

Most high school section volleyball tournaments start today at various sites around the state. Seeding meetings took place earlier in the week. For a full schedule and bracket information, check www.mshsl.org.