State semifinal prep football predictions

Simley (9-3) vs. Spring Lake Park (8-3), at Hopkins, 3 p.m.

Jim says: I've long believed that the schedule a team plays during the regular season is vital to postseason success. Spring Lake Park, which took a few lumps in the Northwest Suburban, is more battle-tested.

The pick: Sp. Lake Park 27, Simley 13.

David says: Simley impressed me with its ability to run triple option, complete passes at the right moments and put up a fight at the line of scrimmage. The Spartans have something special going.

The pick: Simley 21, Spring Lake Park 14

Mankato West (10-1) vs. St. Michael-Albertville (10-1), at Eden Prairie, 6 p.m.

Jim says: In its last four games, St. Michael-Albertville has defeated teams with a combined record of 29-6 (at the time the game was played). The Knights' next test might be their toughest, but I'm not jumping off the bandwagon now.

David says: Mankato West QB Ryan Schlichte averaged 23 pass attempts per game this season compared to 13 from Knights' QB Jackson Greenwaldt. The cold weather is bound to ground both teams so Mankato West's reliance on the pass is a concern.

The pick: St. Michael-Albertville 21, Mankato West 14.

• DeLaSalle (10-1) vs. Hutchinson (11-0), at Prior Lake, noon

Jim says: After a season of touting Hutchinson as the Best Team Not In Class 6A, is there any question about who I think will win this game? Plus, I don't see DeLaSalle's spread offense humming in the cold.

The pick: Hutchinson 38, DeLaSalle 16.

The pick: Hutchinson 42, DeLaSalle 20

• Stewartville (10-1) vs. Becker (10-1), at Osseo, noon

Jim says: If any team appears be able to challenge Hutch for the Class 4A title, Becker would be it. The potent Bulldogs should be able to score with relative ease on Stewartville's average defense.

The pick: Becker 40, Stewartville 21.

David says: Becker QB Michael Veldman ranks with the state's top playmakers under center. But running back C.J. Schwintek is the key. He has averaged 165 yards per game in the playoffs. That's too much firepower.

• New London-Spicer (10-1) vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake (9-3), at Eden Prairie, 3 p.m.

Jim says: Glencoe-Silver Lake has won eight consecutive games since its last loss — to New London-Spicer on Sept. 19. The Panthers outgained the Wildcats in that game. I think they get revenge here.

The pick: Glencoe-Silver Lake 20, New London-Spicer 18.

David says: New London-Spicer got my No. 1 vote in the polls all season. The Wildcats have that champion look to them again. RBs Trey Austvold and Shane Zylstra combined for more than 300 yards last week.

The pick: New London-Spicer 21, Glencoe-Silver Lake 10

Jim says: Mea culpa here. I grew up in north Minneapolis and matriculated at North for two years. The neighborhood thrives when it has something to rally around. I'm going with my heart on this one.

The pick: Minneapolis North 28, Dawson-Boyd 20.

David says: A great Polars' run ends at Dawson-Boyd's hands. If you saw the photo on Twitter of the Blackjacks practicing outside in 10 inches of snow, you know they mean business.