Picking Thursday’s 8-Man and Class A State Championship Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Picking who wins and why ahead of the state championship games in Cedar Falls on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, 8-Man and Class A kick things off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">8-Man</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9:30–#1 Bishop Garrigan (12-0) vs. #2 Woodbine (11-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Garrigan looks like they're in a class of their own almost every time they step on the field. Led by [player_tooltip player_id='1242287' first='Tate' last='Foertsch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2005136' first='Ethan' last='Marso'], the offense bulldozes it's way down the field and stops opposing passing attacks, seemingly with ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other hand, 8-Man hasn't seen an opponent like Woodbine in quite a while. A team that likes to air it out with Power 4-bound wide receiver, [player_tooltip player_id='1197458' first='Landon' last='Blum'], the Tigers have a weapon most other teams in their class size can boast. [player_tooltip player_id='1242266' first='Brody' last='Pryor'] is a dual-threat QB, and if [player_tooltip player_id='1207821' first='Micah' last='Moores'] plays like he did in the semis, the Woodbine offense is going to be awfully tough to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Pick</strong>: Bishop Garrigan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why:</strong> A well-oiled machine led by legendary head coach, Marty Wadle, the Golden Bears have been on a mission since getting upset in the semis last season, and Foertsch just makes plays whenever needed. Marso is a tough tackle, and can bring just about anyone down in the second level of the Garrigan defense. Woodbine will put up a fight, but experience and the team with revenge on its mind wins out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1:00–#1 MMCRU (12-0) vs. #2 Saint Ansgar (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2048882' first='Eli' last='Harpenau'], [player_tooltip player_id='2048867' first='Michael' last='Schmillen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1242834' first='Brayson' last='Mulder'] is quite the trio to contend with. With a quarterback and running back that look to have college-ready bodies and a receiver that did his best Randy Moss impression last week (twice), the Royals look bigger, stronger and faster than most teams can content with in Class A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then again, Saint Ansgar has [player_tooltip player_id='1615327' first='Korben' last='Michels'], a small, but lethal weapon for the Saints that has torn apart defenses all season. A slippery speedster in the open field, Michels is a big play waiting to happen. Speaking of big plays, if Ansgar can get one or two from senior ATH, Connor Mullenbach and sophomore quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='2048732' first='Porter' last='Schwiesow'], they'll be in good shape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Pick</strong>: MMCRU</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why: </strong>The Royals seemingly have dudes at every position that can make a play. Harpenau can take off and run, and he trusts his receivers like Schmillen to make a play on the ball. Mulder's lower half is as strong as any back in Class A, and the MMCRU defense plays with a mean streak. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->