Conference Clear Ups: Twin City-Blue

Oliver West July 4, 2019 @ 08:28 PM

In the second installment of "Conference Clear Ups" we will be examining and previewing the second of the four Twin City conferences. The next subdistrict-Blue-contains seven members: Brooklyn Center, Concordia Academy, Minneapolis Edison, Minneapolis Roosevelt, Spectrum, St. Agnes, and St. Paul Humboldt. The returning conference champion, Spectrum, looks to hold off early season subdistrict contenders St. Agnes, Concordia Academy, and Brooklyn Center. Let's clear some things up about the Twin City-Blue conference. Spectrum: Returning from a season in which the Sting went 7-1 with their one loss being a heartbreaking 32-31 defeat to St. Anthony in the section playoffs, the Sting have to replace a competitive senior class that averaged 376.6 rushing YPG led by RB Fisher Marburg (5'10, 197) and and a defense led by the hammer MLB Sam Cooper (6'1, 230). Spectrum will need playmakers to step up if they want to repeat or improve upon last season, and look out for Jr. RB Elias Aberra (5'5, 160) and class of 2023 QB Tanner Gangl (5'10, 170) to try and fill those shoes for the Sting this upcoming season. St. Agnes: The Aggies from St. Paul are in a similar position as Spectrum. Coming off a good season in which they went 5-3 and averaged close to 300 YPG, St. Agnes needs to replace a talented senior class. Replacing their backfield will prove especially difficult, as Terrell Jones (5'8, 160) and Elie Doby (6'0, 207) ran for 1469 and 547 yards respectively last season. With a smaller senior class taking taking the reins this year, the Aggies may have some trouble repeating their success last season. Concordia Academy: The Roseville based private school had a 4-4 regular season record last year, and although they have to replace productive DE Jordan Brennan, a strong and experienced senior class gives the Beacons a great chance to surprise some people and compete for the conference crown. Look for seniors John Luke-Otis, Clinton Garritty, and Connor Wolf to lead Concordia this year. Roosevelt: I'm impressed by the Teddies. My senior year of high school in 2013, Roosevelt didn't have enough players to field a varsity team and played an only JV season. Last year, they went 3-5 and are still improving. Even though they graduated senior playmakers TJ Williams (6'3, 190) and Fara Bangoura (5'11, 165), the Teddies return some firepower. Senior RB's Kenneth Cooper Jr. (5'8, 160) and Damarion Lacy (5'5, 155), as well as Sr. OLB Harrison Kinnen (5'9, 190) will have to lead and produce, but I would not be surprised if the Teddies build on their 2018 season. Brooklyn Center: The Centaurs have a great chance to improve upon their 2-6 season in 2018. Three rising juniors: WR David Wylie (6'2, 185), QB Isaiah Spivey (6'3, 170), and WR Ben Wehyee (5'10, 155) provide a wealth of experience and productivity for the Centaurs and are all players to keep an eye on. Edison: Also returning from a 2-6 regular season, the Tommies from Minneapolis graduated captain and Hamline University football and basketball signee Jackson Rusnacko (6'5, 200), as well as captain, 4-year starter, and St. Olaf College football commit Giovanni Green (6'0, 200), and need rising seniors Jovan Northington (5'8, 195) and Carlus Scott (5'11, 170) to try and fill those shoes. Humboldt: The St. Paul public school will have to replace WR Darnell King if they hope to build on their 1-5 conference record, and have a larger senior class returning than last year.