AAAAAA Round 1 Playoff Preview

The first round of the AAAAAA playoffs starts on Friday, and I thought it'd be nice to give our readers a preview. There will be 32 teams competing across 16 games to bring home one of the most coveted trophies in the state. In this piece, I'll introduce the 16 matchups, give the team's records, points per game statistics, and some brief notes about the game. Enjoy and don't forget to tune in Friday!   #1 Centennial (7-1) vs #8 Burnsville (2-6)   Centennial PPG: 32 - Centennial OPPG: 14   Burnsville PPG: 20 - Burnsville OPPG: 35   A dangerous Centennial team takes on a Burnsville squad whose seen some success throughout the year. Centennial may enter as the favorite but Burnsville had a few games early on where they showed they can hang with high-scoring teams.   #4 Mounds View (4-4) vs #5 Prior Lake (4-4)   Mounds View PPG: 18 - Mounds View OPPG: 15   Prior Lake PPG: 21 - Prior Lake OPPG: 19   This figures to be a defensive battle, both teams allow under 20 PPG but have a talented core. It is important to note that Prior Lake is on an impressive 3-game win streak with good performances over schools like #2 Woodbury. Mounds View also holds a win over #2 Woodbury from week 5.   #3 Rosemount (4-4) vs #6 Blaine (3-5)   Rosemount PPG: 19 - Rosemount OPPG: 16   Blaine PPG: 28 - Blaine OPPG: 32   With an impressive win over #1 Lakeville South in week 6, Rosemount has proved that their deep run last season was not a fluke. They have the potential to contend with any team and with their dominant defense, they can slow down even the most powerful offenses. Blaine however is known for its explosive offense. Fresh off of a 55-point performance against Shakopee, the Bengals O has a serious challenge in front of them for the first round.   #2 Woodbury (4-4) vs #7 Buffalo (5-3)   Woodbury PPG: 25 - Woodbury OPPG: 22   Buffalo PPG: 28 - Buffalo OPPG: 31   Both teams have had games where they've put up 50+ and let up 39. If Woodbury can recapture the magic that their offense saw in the first half of the season, Buffalo could be in trouble. On the other hand, Buffalo had a crazy 5 game wins streak mid-season where they consistently dropped 35+ points. This game has the potential to be a high-scoring classic.   #1 Lakeville South (7-1) vs #8 Roseville (1-7)   Lakeville South PPG: 36 - Lakeville South OPPG: 17   Roseville PPG: 11 PPG - Roseville OPPG: 25 PPG   South has been a force to be reckoned with all year, and save one loss from Rosemount, have looked like one of the best teams in the state. With a dominating offense and stifling defense, it'll be tough to knock off the Cougars. Roseville did however manage to put up its first W since 2020, so if there was any year that they could knock off the top dogs it'd be this year.   #4 Shakopee (5-3) vs #5 Champlin Park (3-5)   Shakopee PPG: 35 - Shakopee OPPG: 24   Champlin Park PPG: 24 - Champlin Park OPPG: 30   I think this game will be a lot closer than many are predicting. Champlin Park and Shakopee are two teams that have hit high ceilings during the regular season, each beating top contenders. When Shakopee's offense is on, they're among the best in the state, but Champlin Park has shown that they can outpace or stifle top offenses. Whoever wins this game has the potential to make a deep playoff run.   #3 Anoka (6-2) vs #6 East Ridge (2-6)   Anoka PPG: 28 - Anoka OPPG: 24   East Ridge PPG: 25 - East Ridge OPPG: 31   Anoka is one of the more balanced teams in the state, while East Ridge is a swing-for-the-fences team. Against good teams, East Ridge has shown they can put up nearly 30 points. However, Anoka has been on a roll winning their last two dominantly. While this game has upset potential, don't discount Anoka especially since they're getting hot at the right time.   #2 Minnetonka (6-2) vs #7 Eastview (4-4)   Minnetonka PPG: 27 - Minnetonka OPPG: 18   Eastview PPG: 21 PPG - Eastview OPPG: 24   Eastview has quietly put together a solid season with a statement win over Park in week 6. They'll have to battle the Minnetonka Skippers, who've been on a tear this season. With their only losses coming to perennial powerhouses Eden Prairie and Maple Grove, it's easy to look at 'Tonka as one of the favorites to emerge from this side of the bracket. The Lightning have a chance to upset them, however, as they are among the best of the lower seeds.   #1 Eden Prairie (8-0) vs #8 Osseo (0-8)   Eden Prairie PPG: 37 - Eden Prairie OPPG: 14   Osseo PPG: 7 - Osseo OPPG: 34   Eden Prairie has been unarguably the best team in the state this season. With dominant wins over teams like #2 Minnetonka, it's hard to see a world where the Eagles don't make a deep playoff run. This is high school football, however, and quite literally anything can happen. Two of Osseo's best games have come in the last two weeks, and there's a reason the term "Any Given Sunday" exists.   #4 Eagan (3-5) vs #5 White Bear Lake (3-5)   Eagan PPG: 21 - Eagan OPPG: 28   White Bear Lake PPG: 17 - White Bear Lake OPPG: 27   A battle of two (3-5) teams, both of which are riding the momentum of a win heading into the playoffs. Eagan holds an early win over #3-seeded Rosemount, and White Bear Lake holds one over an underrated East Ridge team. Both of these teams are under the radar but have the potential to upset a team in the later rounds. Should be a solid high-scoring affair.   #3 Forest Lake (5-3) vs #6 Wayzata (2-6)   Forest Lake PPG: 24 - Forest Lake OPPG: 13   Wayzata PPG: 23 - Wayzata OPPG: 25   I anticipate this matchup producing more fireworks than many expect. Aside from their first game, Forest Lake has only lost to two of the top seeds heading into this tournament. Hot on a two-game win streak, they'll take on Wayzata, the best (2-6) team in this tournament. With a strong win over a solid Edina squad, Wayzata's strength of schedule this year has been nuts. They play another high-level offense in Forest Lake, but if they can piece together some nice drives, this game will be a barn-burner.   #2 Lakeville North (7-1) vs #7 Coon Rapids (2-6)   Lakeville North PPG: 34 - Lakeville North OPPG: 13   Coon Rapids PPG: 23 PPG - Coon Rapids OPPG: 33   Following a stellar regular season, Lakeville North snags the two-seed. Their resume includes an impressive win over #1 Stillwater in week 1. With a potent offense and a stout defense, the Panthers are a strong entrant. Coon Rapids on the other hand has struggled at times defensively but has been more than capable of putting up big points offensively. With an uber-talented offense, we may see the Cardinals engage in a shootout.   #1 Stillwater (6-2) vs #8 Hopkins (8-0)   Stillwater PPG: 27 - Stillwater OPPG: 20   Hopkins PPG: 9 - Hopkins OPPG: 52 PPG   Spare an upset loss in week 7, Stillwater has showcased some of the best football in the state this season. With an elite passing attack and a solid run game, the Ponies have an insanely talented offense. Hopkins does rely on the passing attack quite frequently, however, and the adage states that a team's defenses are built to stop their offenses. Hopkins is heading under this drastic underdog, but as Minnesota football fans know, upsets can happen at any time.   #4 STMA (5-3) vs #5 Rochester Mayo (3-5)   STMA PPG: 22 - STMA OPPG: 18   Mayo PPG: 25 - Mayo OPPG: 37   To say that STMA is hot would be an understatement. They've won 5 of their last 6 which includes a win over #2 Maple Grove. Mayo, on the other hand, has an offense with the potential to blow up at any time. They've dropped 40+ two times this season and have a ton of playmakers on offense. This should end up being a furious first-round clash.   #3 Edina (5-3) vs #6 Farmington (3-5)   Edina PPG: 29 - Edina OPPG: 21   Farmington PPG: 29 - Farmington OPPG: 26   I love it when two teams with momentum collide, and this game is nearly a perfect first-round representation of that. Edina has won their last 4, and Farmington has won their last 3. Both teams average the same amount of points per game and have similar defensive statistics. This is an exciting 3 vs 6 and I'm all here for it.   #2 Maple Grove (6-2) vs #7 Park (3-5)   Maple Grove PPG: 37 - Maple Grove OPPG: 16   Park PPG: 21 - Park OPPG: 34   Maple Grove is so dangerous. Averaging an astounding 37 PPG and having a defense that holds teams to two scores is a recipe for success. They are, however, prone to the occasional upset. With two losses on the season to #4 STMA and #5 Champlin Park, they've been proven beatable. If Park can put together the right game plan, they could pull off an incredible upset. On the flip side, however, the Crimson are well-coached and very talented. They are consistent state entrants and show no sign of slowing down.

The first round of the AAAAAA playoffs starts on Friday, and I thought it'd be nice to give our readers a preview. There will be 32 teams competing across 16 games to bring home one of the most coveted trophies in the state. In this piece, I'll introduce the 16 matchups, give the team's records, points per game statistics, and some brief notes about the game. Enjoy and don't forget to tune in Friday!