SPOTLIGHT GAME: BURNSVILLE (2-0) at LAKEVILLE NORTH (2-0)
What to expect from Burnsville: The Blaze have a dynamic twosome in all-around athletes Steph Olson Jr. and Jackson Martens. Last week they combined for 229 yards rushing, with Martens scoring the game-winning TD in overtime of a 14-7 victory over Lakeville South. Both also lend their talents to the defense, where Olson is a smooth, instinctive LB and the 6-2 Martens a part of a stellar defensive backfield that also includes senior Jake Shepley. That defense gave up just 21 total points in the season's first two weeks, but will need be at its best to stop Lakeville North. First-year QB Andrew Hanson will need to be effective for the Blaze to have success. He completed just four of 14 passes for minus 4 yards against Lakeville South. If Hanson can't throw the ball, the Blaze will struggle to score.
What to expect from Lakeville North: Another team breaking in a new QB in Reed Smith. He has been effective, completing 16 of 28 passes for 190 yards and two TDs, good enough to keep opponents from stacking the box to stop RB Wade Sullivan. The Panthers' calling card, however, has been defense and coach Brian Vossen is excited about how things have gone there. They shut down East Ridge's Dominik London in the second half of a season-opening victory and held Eagan to just 217 total yards despite playing backups for much of the second half.
Last year: Sullivan had a breakout game, rushing for 140 yards and a TD and returning a kickoff 97 yards for a score in Lakeville North's 29-18 victory.
Jim Paulsen
