Staff picks: Zero Week football

The 2013 high school football season begins Friday with 11 Zero Week games. Which means staff writers David LaVaque and Jim Paulsen get to bring private disagreements public in the form of weekly picks. They won't disagree all the time, but enough to stir the pot.

David says: Graduation claimed two of the metro area's best players at Edina, but the Hornets still pack plenty of sting. RB Kevin Placide is a budding star and a wealth of returning players fortify the front seven on defense.

Pick: Edina 21, Holy Angels 14

Jim says: Edina got its dream season started in 2012 with victory over Holy Angels. The Hornets have a lot of questions that need to be answered, and a fast and well-coached Holy Angels team will take advantage. I smell an upset.

Pick: Holy Angels 24, Edina 20

David says: Hudson enjoyed its best season ever in 2012, posting an 11-1 record, winning a conference crown and reaching the Wisconsin state tournament semifinals. But a wealth of new faces going on the road will find Minnetonka too much to handle.

Pick: Minnetonka 28, Hudson 14

Pick: Minnetonka 31, Hudson 14

David says: Great team speed and returning players at the skill positions will help offset uncertainty at quarterback for Hopkins. And it's hard to pick against teams that cut their teeth in the Lake Conference week after week.

Pick: Hopkins 24, Chaska 21

Jim says: The Hawks have their strongest team since Lambert Brown took over as head coach four years ago. The firepower on offense, led by RB Kolby Seiffert and QB Justin Arnold, will be too much for the rebuilding Royals.