With all due respect to the 20 other teams taking part in softball state quarterfinals Thursday, the spotlight will shine brightest on four smaller schools playing games scheduled for 1 p.m. at Caswell Park in North Mankato.
The only two undefeated teams in the entire three-class tournament -- Cherry and Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg -- square off on one field in a Class 1A quarterfinal game while four-time defending Class 1A champion New Life Academy takes the field against tournament newcomer Sebeka on another.
The Eagles' four consecutive titles is a record; if they win a fifth, it will be with mostly new faces. Only two starters returned and nine players appeared in new positions.
"Things just clicked into place," New Life Academy coach Mick Ramey said. "We've had some losses, but I don't mind that. A good loss sometimes is better than a sloppy win."
The Eagles' roster has two seventh-graders, five freshmen and no seniors.
As for who will feel more pressure early Thursday afternoon -- New Life Academy or the two undefeated teams -- Ramey pointed to the unbeaten teams.
"Just another reason we should seed these teams," he said. "But one will come out a winner and hopefully have to play us."
New Life Academy is the only team back to defend its title. Sebeka, meanwhile, is one of four Class 1A teams making its debut, joining Cherry (in the field for the first time as a non-co-op), Eden Valley-Watkins and Red Lake Falls.