By Matt Krumrie
MaxPreps.com
The Minnesota high school football season is half-way through its regular season.
Heading into week five, let's take a look at some of the standouts, surprises and stats from the first half of the 2007 season.
The Fab Five
1. Eden Prairie: It's no surprise that Eden Prairie is still ranked No. 1 in the state halfway through the season. The defending state champion Eagles have allowed only 27 points in their first four games (6.8 points allowed per game is second-lowest in the metro), and average 38.3 points per game. Matt Swanson is second in the metro in Class 5A with 553 yards rushing per game and Ryan Grant has added 373 yards passing and six touchdown passes for the Eagles.
2. Cretin-Derham Hall: No surprise, No. 2. The Raiders lead the Twin Cities with 195 points scored in four games, an average of 46.8 points per game. What is a bit surprising is how the Raiders are dominating in the highly-regarded Suburban East Conference, one of the top conferences in the Twin Cities. Running back Shady Solomon has eight touchdowns and 48 points, despite missing last week's game with an injury. Quarterback John Nance (a University of Minnesota recruit) has completed 35 of 57 passes for 684 yards and six touchdowns.
3. Stephen-Argyle Central: The tiny nine-man school in northwestern Minnesota has won 58 straight games (dating back to a state semifinal loss in 2002) and is closing in on the state record of 60-straight wins. The Storm, winners of the last four nine-man state titles, have scored 46, 41, 41 and 58 points in four wins this season. Senior quarterback Kip Thorstenson orchestrates the Storm's famous wing-t offense that has only eight running plays to choose from.
4. Benilde-St. Margaret's: Metro leading defense has three shutouts in four games (4-0) and allowed only 4.5 points per game. The North Suburban Conference leaders are also potent on offense, averaging almost 30 points per game. Pat Rothstein leads the conference with 452 yards rushing and five touchdowns, while running back Ryan Shaver has added four rushing touchdowns. Quarterback John Lynch has been effective, completing 23 of 40 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns.
5. Wayzata: Undefeated Trojans (4-0) have given up only 37 points in four games and are tied with Edina in the Classic Lake Conference. At Minneapolis North in Non-conference tilt Friday.
Three to Watch
1. Simley is 4-0 for the first time in over 30 years. The Spartans are tied with Mahtomedi on top of the Classic Suburban Conference and are winning with a dominant defense, and effective and efficient offense. Running back's Mike Hunter, Johntae Walker and Dustin McIntyre give the team speed, strength and depth and are called upon at anytime. Versatile quarterback Muresuk Mena has completed 18 of 33 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. His favorite target is Jordan Roue, who has 10 catches for 167 yards and a touchdown. Hunter, Walker, McIntyre and Roue also excel on a defense anchored by interior linemen Tommy Platek and Ryan Scott and linebacker Alex Lashomb, among others. The Spartans, who give up an average of only 11.8 points per game, face a key test Friday at St. Thomas Academy, who was ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 4A before losing to Mahtomedi 40-28 Friday.
2. Minnehaha Academy is 4-0 after an upset win over Class 3A No. 3-ranked DeLaSalle Friday. The Redhawks feature the Tri-Metro Conference's second leading rusher in Harry Awe, who has rushed for 624 yards (11.8 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. Defensively, Minnehaha is only giving up 8.5 points per game
3. Park (Cottage Grove): It's been a while since Park has had success in football, but Doug Ekmark's Wolfpack are 3-1 halfway through the season. Maybe playing at home on a new $1.5 million turf field has re-energized the program? As is the tradition under Ekmark, the ground game is key for the Wolfpack, who are averaging 214 yards per game on the ground. Nick Alverson has ran for 299 yards, while quarterback R.C. Kilgore has scored five touchdowns. Receiver Justin Zarich is third in the conference with 14 catches for 228 yards.
Two Who are Too Hot To Handle:
- Minneapolis Southwest quarterback Colin Wescott leads the Twin Cities in passing yards with 963 through four games. He has completed 71 of 121 passes and has seven touchdown passes.
- Raphael Thomas of Breck leads the state in rushing yards with 71 carries for 876 yards in four games.
Inside the Numbers
1,466 - The number of yards rushing by Eden Prairie through four games this season - an average of 366 yards per game.
961 - The number of passing yards for Annandale quarterback Matt Lashinski, which leads Class 3A.
358 - The number of yards Totino-Grace receiver Paa Zeah has on 13 catches on the year. Those totals lead the North Suburban Conference. Zeah has six touchdowns and the Eagles are 3-1 overall.
27 - The number of extra point attempts Cretin-Derham Hall kicker Mike Pelikan has made this season.
11 - The number of touchdowns Edina's Mike Rallis has scored this season. His 66 points lead the Twin Cities.
