Spotlight game: Burnsville at Lakeville South, 7 p.m. Friday

August 28, 2015 at 2:36AM

Season they've been waiting for

The last time Burnsville finished a season above .500 was 2006. This year's seniors believe that dubious streak will end this season and with good reason. They were among the best teams in the South Suburban Conference on the freshman and sophomore teams, posting back-to-back winning records. "Except for last year, I've always been on winning teams here," Blaze quarterback Kamal Martin said. "Last year, things got away from us a little bit, but I expect us to be successful this year." Lake­ville South center Eric Rousemiller agrees. "When I was in eighth grade, they were the best team in youth league," Rousemiller said. "I knew then that they'd be a team to be reckoned with."

Getting defensive

Most observers knew that Burnsville's offense — with an elite athlete in Martin committed to the Gophers, and a lot of experienced beef on the line — would be formidable. But it was the Blaze defense that took center stage in a 28-0 victory over Roseville on Saturday. Burnsville held the Raiders to only 205 yards of total offense and came away with the program's first shutout since 2012.

Week 2 improvement?

Lakeville South admittedly struggled at times with the Cretin-Derham Hall running game in a 21-12 loss Saturday, giving up 261 yards on the ground. Burnsville rushed for 270 yards vs. Roseville, but Lakeville South safety Blake Wacholz feels certain the Cougars will have a better showing Friday. "We struggled with the run game, but I think we'll come out and set the tone with our defense," Wacholz said. "This game I'm going to roll up in run support a little more. We have to contain Kamal and not let him get outside. I'll be up on Kamal a lot."

Jim Paulsen

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