High school football's freaky Friday is upon us. Crazy plays. Unpredictable bounces and breaks. Wild finishes. All with a state tournament appearance at stake. Victory brings a chance for even greater November success. For the losers, it's over. Let staff writers Jim Paulsen (29-6) and David La Vaque (14-21) be your guides to the action.
EDINA (5-4) AT CENTENNIAL (7-2), 7 p.m.
Jim says: Hard-charging Centennial is itching to get another shot at Edina, whom they lost to in the 2017 playoffs and in the first game of the season this year. Centennial 24, Edina 17
David says: A new rivalry features a strong Centennial read-option offense against an Edina team that plays tough until the game is over. Centennial 28, Edina 21
BUFFALO (5-4) AT MOUNDS VIEW (7-2), 7 P.M.
Jim says: This is all about matchups. Mounds View hasn't seen a quarterback as accomplished as Buffalo's Aidan Bouman. Can the Bison repeat last week's upset? Why not? Buffalo 30, Mounds View 28
David says: Buffalo hasn't faced a complete, healthy Class 6A opponent all season. Mounds View isn't flashy. Just darn effective. Mounds View 21, Buffalo 14
ELK RIVER (9-1) VS. ARMSTRONG (9-0) AT ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE, 7 p.m.
Jim says: Elk River's quick-strike rushing attack will test Armstrong's defense, but it's the Elks' suspect defense that will determine the outcome. Armstrong 40, Elk River 34
David says: One loss between them and one can't advance. That's a shame. Elk River's experience and shel- game offense wins the night. Elk River 28, Armstrong 20
SMB (9-0) AT BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S (9-0), 7 P.M.
Jim says: As talented as SMB is, it has cruised through the season relatively unscathed. The Wolfpack haven't faced a team that inflicts the kind of punishment they'll get from the Red Knights. Benilde-St. Margaret's 28, SMB 24
David says: The Red Knights run hard behind a physical offensive line. But if they fall behind and are forced to throw, SMB quarterback Jalen Suggs will showcase his considerable defensive back skills. Benilde-St. Margaret's 24, SMB 21
ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE (8-1) AT FRIDLEY (9-0), 7 P.M.
Jim says: After losing to Fridley 20-7 in the regular season, St. Anthony coach Todd Niklaus said he expected to play Fridley again with more on the line. He got his wish, but Fridley has simply been too dominant. Fridley 28, St. Anthony 14
David says: Seven points. No one has scored more in a game against Fridley all season. That's insane. And that's why you can't pick against the Tigers. Fridley 16, St. Anthony 6
