Entering the second week in October, fall sports are either into playoff mode or are quickly approaching it. Girls' tennis began section play last week; the state team tournament field should be set by the end of the week.
Girls' and boys' soccer sectional playoffs begin this week as most sections were seeding their tournament fields Sunday.
And football, the behemoth of fall sports, has less than two weeks left in the regular season. Same thing for volleyball, cross-country and girls' swimming.
One more thing: Girls' hockey teams begin official practices in three weeks.
It goes by fast.
Here's look at some of the best of the week ahead:
Football
DeLaSalle at Holy Angels, 7 p.m. Friday: In the 2013 Class 4A semifinals, DeLaSalle quarterback Billy Hart injured his shoulder and missed much of the game. Holy Angels took advantage and pulled off a mild upset. Both teams are 6-0, DeLaSalle is ranked No. 2 and Holy Angels No. 3. The Islanders have had this game circled all season.
Osseo at Maple Grove, 7 p.m. Friday: Maple Grove (6-0) has proven to be a legitimate Class 6A title contender. District rival Osseo is on a roll, too, having won three in a row. Despite being less than four mile apart, these two haven't played an official game since 2011. They weren't scheduled to play last year, and in 2012 an ineligible player forced Osseo to forfeit an early victory over the Crimson.
