Jim Paulsen has been lamenting the unpredictability of the prep season so far. That's largely the result of his 1-2 showing last week, dropping him to 5-4 overall. Meanwhile, fellow preps staffer David La Vaque remained quietly smug about going 2-1 and moving a game up on the season at 6-3.
CHASKA AT CHANHASSEN, 7 P.M.
Jim says: That both teams are undefeated just intensifies this already heated rivalry. Chanhassen won last week without RBs Eddie Odanga and Hunter Flannery. If both are back and healthy, as expected, the run-oriented Storm win this comfortably.
Pick: Chanhassen 29, Chaska 18
David says: Chaska senior quarterback Connor Souba has averaged 241.5 yards from scrimmage in the first two games and his dual-threat abilities drive the Hawks' offense. Chaska, which won in overtime and then by shutout, finishes strong once again.
Pick: Chaska 24, Chanhassen 21
MAPLE GROVE AT MINNETONKA, 7 P.M.
Jim says: Is it too much of a no-brainer to say quarterback play will make the difference? Both teams have rock-solid defenses, but Minnetonka's first-year starter, Aaron Syverson, has outplayed Maple Grove's first-year starter, Curtis Haugen, so far.
Pick: Minnetonka 14, Maple Grove 12
David says: Maple Grove is 3-1 against Minnetonka since Matt Lombardi took over the Crimson program. Moreover, the Skippers have never scored more than two touchdowns in any of those games. Maple Grove's defense again carries the night.
