Week 2: Matchups of the Week

The first week of the high school football season in Minnesota was nothing short of electric. We saw great performances from players like Josh Buri, and Jalen Suggs. We also saw Richfield record their first victory in over TWO YEARS. In week two there are plenty of games across the state to keep the excitement going. In no specific order, I will preview some of the top matchups happening in the second week of the season.   Elk River (1-0) @ Buffalo (0-1) [caption id="attachment_11724" align="alignright" width="235"] (Photo via: AARON LAVINSKY – STAR TRIBUNE)[/caption] In 2018, Buffalo and Elk River played in arguably the most exciting game of the entire year. In week three Elk River took down Buffalo in their own building by a WHOPPING score of 80-70... yes you read that right 80 to 70. Buffalo and Elk River's programs have two of the clearest offensive identities in MN. Elk River will run the ball 99.9% of the time. While Buffalo has an almost college-like "air raid" system throwing the ball all over the field. Both of these showed up in their game last season with Buffalo quarterback Aidan Bouman passing 56 times for 555 yards and eight touchdowns. While only running the ball 20 times as a team. Elk River on the other hand ran the ball 58 times for 636 yards and 11 touchdowns, and they only attempted two passes the entire game. Overall there were 1,347 total yards of offense and 21 combined touchdowns. Hopefully we can see the same type of fireworks this week.   Heading into this season Elk River graduated one of their winningest classes in program history headlined by RB Adam Nelson. Nelson accounted for nearly 4,000 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns during his career for the Elks. Buffalo on the other hand lost graduated their pair of electric receivers from last season. Treyton Welch who is now playing at Wyoming as a tight end- accounted for 2,805 yards from scrimmage and 37 total touchdowns during his career at Buffalo. Jack Munsterteiger put together 1,433 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns during his time with the Bison   [caption id="attachment_6513" align="alignleft" width="166"] (Aidan Bouman photo from startribune.com)[/caption] In 2019 Elk River has already shown the state that they're the same dominant offense. With a dominant performance against Brainerd in week one winning 57-0. The Elks often get a plethora of running backs involved, and last week was no different. They had 12 different people carry the ball for 561 yards and eight touchdowns. Buffalo still has their quarterback from last year's matchup, Iowa State commit Aidan Bouman. In week one Bouman and the Bison struggled, falling to Alexandria 56-20. Bouman was still able to contribute 288 yards and three touchdowns through the air. This year's matchup will have a lot of different faces from last year, we can only hope we are able to see even a fraction of the fireworks from last season.   Minneapolis North (1-0) vs. Minneapolis Southwest (1-0) Last season Minneapolis North was absolutely DOMINANT. They outscored their opponents by a ridiculous 398-40 in route to a perfect 8-0 regular season. The section tournament was no different winning their two games by a combined 50-8. The state tournament on the other hand was a different story. They squeaked past Redwood Valley 20-12 in the first round, and then eventually fell to Barnesville in the second round. The Polars were a predominately balanced team in 2018 running the ball 63% of the time. [caption id="attachment_11725" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (Photo via: https://north.mpls.k12.mn.us)[/caption]   Minneapolis Southwest struggled to find a consistent rhythm last season. They finished with 3-5 regular season record and fell to St. Louis Park in the first round of the section tournament. A bright spot if any was RB TK Marshall who posted 1,110+ yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns.   [caption id="attachment_9602" align="alignright" width="147"] (Credit: TK Marshall)[/caption] This season the Polars are returning their starting QB Zach Yeager who in now a junior. In week one Minneapolis North took down Saint Paul Johnson 26-6 and Sophomore WR Rio Sanders broke out for 5 catches, 195 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Minneapolis Southwest is obviously headlined by NDSU commit RB TK Marshall who I talk more about it my 2019 Mr. Football preview <a style="color: #808080" href="https://www.northstarfootballnews.com/2019/05/mr-football-watchlist-2019/">here</a>. In week one the Lakers had a dominating performance against St. Paul Highland Park winning 29-0 and Marshall put up 168 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. I expect the cross-town rivalry to be electric in week two.   Pierz (1-0) @ Paynesville (1-0) Lastly Pierz and Paynesville is a great "small-town" matchup, combining for a population of less than 4,000 people. Pierz is a class 3A powerhouse, having won an insane seven straight section championships. Paynesville's program is not too bad either, being one of the most successful class 2A programs in Minnesota. Last season Pierz was one of the best teams in the state. They were led by "do-it-all" junior Matthias Algarin. Algarin played all over the field lasts season, as a running back, wide receiver, defensive back, and even a kick returner. The Pioneers were able to ride Algarin's success all of the way to a perfect regular season averaging a ridiculous 50 points per game. Unfortunately they fell in the State semi-finals against Rochester Lourdes 25-20.   [caption id="attachment_11726" align="alignleft" width="245"] (Photo: Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com)[/caption] Paynesville finished 2018 with a 6-2 regular season record. They would carry that momentum all of the way to the state championship. They would eventually fall in a tough game against Caledonia 6-40. A team which they lost to the previous year in the semi-finals of the State Tournament. They unfortunately did graduate their quarterback and running back duo of Max Weidner, and Zach Schroeder, following their pair of deep playoff runs.   [caption id="attachment_11727" align="alignright" width="240"] Matthias Algarin at "The Opening" (Photo: 247sports.com)[/caption] Heading into this season, both Pierz and Paynesville are hungry to revenge their State tournament losses. Paynesville came out firing, taking down Montevideo 40-0, led by their own "do-it-all" type player, senior Grady Fuchs. In the offseason senior RB/WR/DB Mathias Algarin went to work at many top level camps, and earned offers from South Dakota State and Nebraska. In week one Algarin and the Pioneers dominated with a great performance against Foley, winning 52-0. Matthias was able to contribute 122 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns. Pierz and Paynesville might not have the firepower that some other schools from the metro-area have, but they will sure make an exciting matchup in week two.   **Other matchups to look out for: <ul> <li>Edina @ Wayzata</li> <li>St. Michael-Albertville @ Minnetonka</li> <li>Chanhassen @ Chaska</li> </ul>