Faceoff

High School Football Picks: State finals

PHERSY: Well, Feldy has a one-game lead now ... so I'm in trouble. He's also informed me of his picks, so, yeah. Honestly, I'm just going for a tie here. Yuck.

Class AAAAA

Owatonna vs. Totino-Grace

Class AAA

Rochester Lourdes vs. Blue Earth Area

Class AA

Caledonia vs. Moose Lake-Willow River

•••

Class AAAAA

Totino-Grace 47, Owatonna 20: Good season Huskies...for real.

Class AAA

Rochester Lourdes 67, Blue Earth Area 2: BEA is an old conference foe for me, so BEAT THE BUCS!!! I don't need to hear any high school and college buddies talking about Blue Earth winning a state title. So Lourdes, please get this done...by a lot of points.

Class AA

Moose Lake-Willow River 27, Caledonia 20: This is simply to force a tie. I really think Caledonia wins yet another state title, but I need to not lose this year. It's all I've got :-(

• • •

FELDY: Phersy forgot to post the Nine-Man game, but it's a wash since we're both picking Grand Meadow to win, something like 135-14. OK, maybe not that much, but we like the Larks.

CLASS AAAAA
Totino-Grace 36, Owatonna 28: I got to see this Owatonna team in person twice this year. It was a truly fun team to watch. But Totino has beaten up on some pretty good teams and I think it wins a close one here.

CLASS AAA
Lourdes 30, BEA 12: The Eagles survived a scare in the state semis. No scare this time, just a championship trophy.

CLASS AA
Caledonia 24, ML-WR 8: Caledonia's defense re-emerges this week. The Warriors' dynasty rolls on.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PICKS: State quarterfinals

PHERSY: Well Feldy, I'm coming back...slowly. I picked up another game in the standings last week, going 4-3 while Feldy went 3-4. That leaves me with an overall record of 50-27, while Feldy is 52-25. It's the state tournament, baby!

NINE-MAN

Mountain Lake Area (9-2) vs. Grand Meadow (10-1).

CLASS AA

Sibley East (9-1) vs. Caledonia (10-0)

CLASS AAA

Jordan (4-7) vs. Rochester Lourdes (11-0)

CLASS AAAA

Hutchinson (10-0) vs. Kasson-Mantorville (9-1)

CLASS AAAAA

Mankato West (4-6) vs. Owatonna (10-0)

***

PHERSY: We'll jump right into my picks ...

NINE-MAN

Grand Meadow 42, Mountain Lake Area 28: GM is a battle-tested team, and it plays great defense. They also run the ball well, so I think they control this game from start to finish.

CLASS AA

Caledonia 35, Sibley East 12: The Warriors have become one of the best football programs in the state. Nobody is slowing down this train, especially now that they have their full lineup available.

CLASS AAA

Rochester Lourdes 50, Jordan 2: I have a bone to pick here ... Jordan knocked us out of the section basketball tournament my senior year. So, yeah, I don't like the Hubmen. Oh yeah, and Lourdes is good.

CLASS AAAA

Hutchinson 35, Kasson-Mantorville 28: I guess I didn't learn my lesson last week. But I believe the KoMets' ride ends this week.

CLASS AAAAA

Owatonna 37, Mankato West 30: What a great game ... it's about time they meet. West survived in OT last week, while Owatonna rolled into state again. The Huskies have an offense that can run and throw this year, so they're dangerous.

* * * * *

NINE-MAN
Grand Meadow 36, Mountain Lake 24: The Larks have a short roadie to this one, at Rochester Regional Sports Stadium. Mountain Lake has close to three hours on the bus. Not that that will be the difference in this one. G.M. beat an outstanding Spring Grove team last week and will carry that momentum over.

CLASS AA
Caledonia 30, Sibley East 8: I feel like I say this every week, but give me Caledonia's defense against any team in Class AA football. The Warriors roll in this one.

CLASS AAA
Lourdes 28, Jordan 16: What's a Hubman? The rest of the state won't find out this year. Eagles notch another victory on their way to a state title.

CLASS AAAA
K-M 31, Hutchinson 30: I won't doubt the KoMets again after that beatdown they gave Faribault last week.

CLASS AAAAA
West 35, Owatonna 32: West is gonna have to score in bunches to win this game. The Scarlets might be the team from the Big Nine Conference best equipped to do that.

 

High school football picks: Section quarterfinals

FELDY: So, my 6-year-old didn't fare much better last week than I did the week before. Abby Feldman went 3-4, brining my season record to 39-17. Phersy gained another game, going 4-3 to bring his record to 38-18. Looks like we're going to come down to the final week of picks once again. Playoffs get going this week and, Phersy, we had to stretch to find seven games to pick. Could be lots of lopsided results tonight:

SECTION 1AAAAA
No. 5 Century at No. 4 Winona

SECTION 1AAAA
No. 5 Albert Lea at No. 4 Waseca 

SECTION 1AAA
No. 5 Zumbrota-Mazeppa at No. 4 Plainview-Elgin-Millville
No. 6 Winona Cotter at No. 3 Stewartville 

SECTION 1A
No. 5 Goodhue at No. 4 Southland
No. 6 Fillmore Central at No. 3 Rushford-Peterson

SECTION 1 9-MAN
No. 5 Mabel-Canton at No. 4 Houston

***

PHERSY: Well Feldy, I'm planning to go ahead and pass you by this week, and I'll never look back, obviously. Let's do this ...

SECTION 1AAAAA

No. 5 Century 27, No. 4 Winona 14: Alex Crawford ... enough said.

SECTION 1AAAA

No. 4 Waseca 20, No. 5 Albert Lea 16: Waseca is much better than their record would indicate. The Bluejays lost several close games and had to forfeit one game due to an ineligible player.

SECTION 1AAA

No. 4 Plainview-Elgin-Millville 25, No. 5 Zumbrota-Mazeppa 21: At home, I'll stick with the Bulldogs.

No. 3 Stewartville 14, No. 6 Winona Cotter 13: These are two teams headed in different directions. Stewartville lost four of its final five games, while Cotter won its last two. But...the Tigers were playing better competition. They'll do enough.

SECTION 1A

No. 4 Southland 13, No. 5 Goodhue 6: If this one was in Goodhue, I'd take the Wildcats. But Southland finally got things going again last week.

No. 3 Rushford-Peterson 30, No. 6 Fillmore Central 15: Feldy must have been hurting with games ... why is this one here? Or Maybe Feldy has a big upset in mind?

SECTION 1 9-MAN

No. 4 Houston 47, No. 5 Mabel-Canton 29: Houston will bounce back after last week's setback.

***

FELDY: I guess, since you haven't been able to beat me the past two years, you might as well hope you can this time, Phersy.

SECTION 1AAAAA
Winona 34, Century 27:  No doubt, Century's Crawford is a beast, but Winona is playing well. They better not let that win against Faribault go to their heads, though, or Century will flip this score around.

SECTION 1AAAA
Waseca 31, Albert Lea 17:  Waseca steamrolled Albert Lea in the season opener and the Bluejays have been competitive against some very good teams. 

SECTION 1AAA
P-E-M 23, Z-M 14: Seems like every time I've picked Z-M this year, they've lost. And P-E-M is playing well; its three losses are to Caledonia, Chatfield and Lewiston-Altura, which have a combined record of 23-1.

Stewartville 28, Cotter 21: I'm tempted to pick Cotter here in an upset, but Cotter's wins have come against below-average teams. Stewy is just 1-4 in its last five but those losses are to pretty good teams -- Lourdes, Lake City, Cannon Falls and K-M.

SECTION 1A
Goodhue 16, Southland 11: I'm not sure why I continue to pick Goodhue; seems like I can never pick their games correctly, either. I swear, though, if the Wildcats lose tonight, I'm not going to pick them to win again this season. (yes, I know, their season would be over.)

R-P 35, Fillmore Central 20: No big upset in mind here, Phersy. Fillmore played R-P to a 12-pt. game in the regular season, though ... and there aren't any better games left to pick this week.

SECTION 1 9-MAN
Houston 43, Mabel-Canton 29: The 'Canes beat M-C rather convincingly during the regular season. They'll do so again tonight.

High school football picks: Week 8

PHERSY: Feldy, objects in your rear-view mirror! We comin!! OK, you're still ahead, but I'm closing in and plan to pass you by in the postseason. Feldy, it actually wasn't pretty last week, but the games were darn tough. I went 4-3, bringing my season record to 34-15. Feldy went a gross 2-5, bringing his season record to 36-13. So, I made up ground, but I'm still two back. Let's go!

BIG NINE

Austin (2-5) at Albert Lea (1-6)

Rochester Mayo (5-2) at Owatonna (7-0)

HIAWATHA VALLEY LEAGUE

Cotter (2-5) at Goodhue (3-4)

THREE RIVERS CONFERENCE

St. Charles (1-6) at Dover-Eyota (1-6)

Lewiston-Altura (7-0) at Plainview-Elgin-Millville (5-2)

Chatfield (6-1) at Rushford-Peterson (5-2)

SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

Lanesboro (4-3) at Houston (4-3)

* * * * * 

FELDY: Last week was gross, so I'm letting 6-year-old Abby Feldman have some say in this week's picks. She neither knows nor cares much about football, but she couldn't be much worse than I was last week. Good luck against her, Phersy.

BIG NINE

Austin over Albert Lea: Abby went to Austin with me a few weeks ago, when I went over there for a work assignment. She loved the SPAM Museum, so she said go with Austin. I agree with her on this one; the Packers' offense has been pretty good this year and I think they'll outscore the Tigers.

Owatonna over Mayo: Abby's a big fan of the indoor water park in Owatonna, so that's apparently enough for her to take the Huskies over the Spartans. This is a tough bounce-back game for Mayo, after an emotional loss to JM last Friday. There's a lot on the line for both teams here. Owatonna hasn't been as sharp in recent weeks as it was early in the season, though.

HVL

Goodhue over Cotter: Abby likes cats. So Wildcats win out over Ramblers. I agree with her again; Goodhue is ready to put last week's big loss to Lake City behind it.

TRC

Dover-Eyota over St. Charles: Abby says D-E, because it won last week. Can't fault that logic, make it two in a row for the Eagles to end the regular season. 

Lewiston-Altura over P-E-M: This was a tough one; Abby's a big fan of bulldogs, but the Cardinals' unbeaten record swayed her. P-E-M is playing well, but, again, hard to argue with the Cardinals' defense; it has allowed more than eight points just once this season.

Chatfield over R-P: Abby's bored with this now, so she just picked the first team I said. One more time, though, can't argue with her. Chatfield's defense has been lights-out all season. It hasn't given up more than six points since Week 2.

SEC

Houston over Lanesboro: What's a burro? Abby asked. Oh, well, Hurricanes are scarier than burros. ... I don't know; I've been close to a burro before. They can be scary, too. But, why not go with Houston? The Canes lost a 4-point game to Lanesboro in the season opener; we'll say they flip that score this week and win a close one.

* * * * *

PHERSY: Really Feldy? So you are trusting a girl who told you last week that she's a Packers fan? What's wrong with you? That said, I'm absolutely certain she's better than you are at picking high school football games. That means I'm in trouble this week. Maybe I should have my dog Tiny make this week's picks ...

BIG NINE

Austin 39, Albert Lea 30: Abby has this one right. The Packers are motivated and they're healthy again. Gabe Gerstner and Elijah Dahmen will make a huge difference in that Austin lineup.

Owatonna 30, Mayo 20: The Spartans are a solid team. Owatonna has the potential to be great, but even though the Huskies are unbeaten, they haven't been consistent. I think the Owatonna depth in both the backfield and at receiver will be the difference. Oh yeah, they're offensive and defensive lines are incredible, too.

HVL

Cotter 12, Goodhue 8: Ugh, Abby picked my Wildcats. Darn here. This is going to be a close game. If it's more than one score, I'd be shocked. Similar resumes, though they get the job done much differently. But I'll go with Cotter in a barn-burner.

TRC

Dover-Eyota 25, St. Charles 13: D-E proved last week that they're not a bad football team, they've simply faced the best of the best in the TRC. They win again.

Lewiston-Altura 14, P-E-M 0: L-A wins again. It will be close and low-scoring, but it's a big game for L-A to prove it belongs among the state's top teams.

R-P 8, Chatfield 7: Toughest game for me to pick this week. R-P at home ... two stolid teams going at it. Going to be fun. Wish I was covering this one!

SEC

Lanesboro 30, Houston 28: My "inside source" says that if Houston comes out in the spread and goes four-wide, the Hurricanes will come out on top. But if they stick with the wishbone, they're in trouble. I'll go with Lanesboro, based on Houston sticking with the wishbone. Of  course, our track record of picking Nine-man games is outstanding, so ...

High School Football Picks | Week 6

PHERSY: Feldy, let's just go right into the picks, because nobody wants to hear about how awesome you are ... OK, OK, Feldy was a perfect 7-0 last week. He drew a line in the sand, and I seemed to step in a puddle, going 4-3. So, now Feldy is 29-6 and after my worst week of the season, I'm 26-9.

I'm getting some back this week Feldy.

BIG NINE CONFERENCE

Austin (2-3) at Century (2-3)

Faribault (3-2) at John Marshall (4-1)

Albert Lea (0-5) at Mankato East (0-5)

THREE RIVERS CONFERENCE

Chatfield (5-0) at Caledonia (5-0)

Southland (3-2) at Rushford-Peterson (3-2)

Fillmore Central (1-4) at Kingsland (1-4)

SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

Mabel-Canton (1-4) at Lyle/Pacelli (1-4)

• • •

FELDY: I was like Will Ferrell in his "Old School" debate last week. Just slipped into a zone that I won't be able to find again. Lots of tough games to pick this week. Phersy, you could argue either way on all seven of these, which I'm sure you will.

BIG NINE

Century 28, Austin 23: Like I said last week, we're getting deep into the regular season, which means a Jon Vik-coached team starts to play its best. Austin will play better than it did a week ago, but the Panthers get the edge on their home field.

JM 35, Faribault 31: After correctly picking JM to knock off West last week, I'm tempted to pick Faribault to knock off the Rockets this week. But, Faribault has had a couple of painful losses in a row and I think they'll come up just shy against a very good JM team.

Albert Lea 26, Mankato East 16: Someone's "0" must go. I've got nothing more on this one.

TRC

Caledonia 23, Chatfield 15: Caledonia's defense is stout. The Warriors are allowing less than a TD per game. Chatfield will be their biggest test to date, but this will also be Chatfield's biggest test to date.

Rushford-Peterson 34, Southland 18: R-P is 3-2. Both of its losses are to teams that are still undefeated (6-0 Lewiston-Altura, 5-0 Caledonia). Southland has lost two of its last three and had to eke out a 1-point win last week. I like the Trojans by a couple of scores.

Kingsland 14, Fillmore Central 12: Both of these teams have played a tough schedule over the past few weeks. Kingsland was solid defensively last week, nearly knocking off Southland. I'll take the Knights on a late TD.

SEC

Mabel-Canton 54, Lyle/Pacelli 42: Both of these teams topped 50 points last week. M-C played better defensively. The Cougars run their winning streak to two.

• • • • •

PHERSY: Yeah, let's roll ...

BIG NINE

Austin 29, Century 20: Feldy, I'm missing the game this week ... but Austin is the team I cover every week. They weren't focused last week and it killed them. They're capable of winning this game. But, they have to find a way to slow down Crawford.

Faribault 30, JM 24: I live in the JM district ... so this is just mean, right? How do the Rockets slow down Jandro? Not sure. And Faribault better be motivated after last week's monumental collapse.

Albert Lea 25, Mankato East 6: The Tigers aren't as bad as people think ... they've lost to the top teams in the conference. East is struggling, though.

TRC

Chatfield 15, Caledonia 14: Game of the week. But I've stuck with the Gophers all season. I'll do it again.

Rushford-Peterson 30, Southland 11: Agree with Feldy here ... these teams are heading in opposite directions.

Fillmore Central 12, Kingsland 0: Why not?

SEC

Lyle/Pacelli 42, Mabel-Canton 40: Two in a row? Someone has to do it ...

High school football picks: Week 4

PHERSY: Oh, so now I guess Feldy is perfect. Whatever. Congratulations Mr. Feldman. I guess they were easy games last week. Anyway, the other guy went 7-0, and I was 6-1. That means we are now tied in the overall standings at 17-4. Anyway, let's have at it ...

BIG NINE CONFERENCE

Austin (0-3) at Mankato East (0-3)

Mankato West (3-0) at Faribault (3-0)

HIAWATHA VALLEY LEAGUE

Rochester Lourdes (3-0) at Stewartville (3-0)

Goodhue (2-1) at Triton (1-2)

La Crescent (2-1) at Cannon Falls (2-1)

THREE RIVERS CONFERENCE

Chatfield (3-0) at Southland (2-1)

SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

Houston (1-2) at LeRoy-Ostrander (2-1)

* * * *

FELDY: I'll enjoy the 7-0 week while I can get it. Looking around at the schedules in the Big 9, HVL and Three Rivers Conference, it looks like some big-time matchups await us over the final three weeks of the regular season. For now, though, we hit the halfway point of the regular season and I see we have some good games -- including one we'd both like to be at, Phersy, in the HVL.

BIG NINE

Mankato East 26, Austin 24: This sure could go the other way, Phersy, and your Packers could snap their 22-game losing skid tonight. But, East is at home and they have some talented running backs who should help control the ball and the clock. I'll give the Cougars the home-field advantage.

Mankato West 33, Faribault 24: This one could be closer than people might expect. West is still a very good team, but I think Faribault is a better team than people give it credit for. Both teams have young QBs and offenses that can strike quickly. 

HVL

Lourdes 21, Stewartville 18: No. 1 against No. 5 ... who wouldn't want to be at this one? Stewartville has to be a confident team after stomping a very good Byron team by more than three touchdowns. But until someone can stop the Eagles' rushing attack, I'll stick with them.

Goodhue 28, Triton 23: Regardless of Triton's record, it's never an easy place to go for a visiting team. Goodhue has put up 78 points through three games, though, and I think the Wildcats' offense continues to produce.

Cannon Falls 34, La Crescent 19: This is a big week for the Bombers. They fell flat in their biggest test of the season last week, losing by 39 points to Kasson-Mantorville. They'll rebound this week on their home turf and ease some of last week's frustrations.

TRC

Chatfield 28, Southland 17: I've been on the Gophers' bandwagon since Week 1. I see no reason to back off now. Southland has some injury issues, otherwise I'd say this is a one-score tossup game.

SEC

Houston 37, LeRoy-Ostrander 28: Houston might be 1-2, but it has lost to two pretty good teams (Lanesboro and Spring Grove). L-O puts up a good fight on its home field, but the Hurricanes are too much tonight.

* * * *

PHERSY: Feldy, let's call this Separation Friday. These are tough games, and I'm going against you as often as possible. Mostly because I don't like you ...

BIG NINE

Austin 41, Mankato East 30: The Packers offense is much improved. The defense has been very bad, but they have the athletes on that side of the ball to get it done. The state's longest losing streak comes to an end in Mankato tonight.

Faribault 39, Mankato West 35: Faribault's offense is flat-out good. The Falcons are the real deal, and they'll be the team to beat in 1AAAA (sorry, KoMets). West is good, but they're not as good as last year. Call this an upset ... but I'm going with the Falcons.

HVL

Stewartville 24, Lourdes 23: Lourdes has a dangerous offense, Stewartville has a dangerous offense. I don't think the Eagles will lose on their home field this year ... but unfortunately, this game isn't on the turf. I'll take the Tigers at home.

Triton 19, Goodhue 8: I feel like Triton has improved a great deal from Week 1. The Wildcats are still rebuilding. I hate picking against Goodhue, ever, in anything, but I have to go with the Cobras this week.

Cannon Falls 29, La Crescent 19: Feldy gets one right. The Bombers will bounce back this week.

TRC

Chatfield 38, Southland 7: Goergen was such a huge part of Southland's game on both sides of the ball. And yeah, Chatfield is legit. Dear AP voters...you're dumb for not putting the Gophers in the state rankings. Go ahead and let them fly under the radar for now. But they're a state contender.

SEC

Houston 30, LeRoy-Ostrander 28: This game will be better than people think. L-O isn't bad. Houston isn't bad. They're both mid-level teams in the SEC this year, but they're even.

High school football picks: Week 2

PHERSY: And, Feldy's off and running. Nice start buddy. I struggled. Can we stop picking tough games for a change??? Well, I'm 4-3 to start the year. Seems standard. Feldy is up one game already at 5-2. Maybe his winning this thing last year for the first time wasn't a fluke. Maybe Feldy really has figured out high school football. Ahhh, who am I kidding? Let's pick 'em ...

BIG NINE CONFERENCE

Century (0-1) at Mayo (0-1)

HIAWATHA VALLEY LEAGUE

Byron (1-0) at Rochester Lourdes (1-0)

Cannon Falls (1-0) at Goodhue (1-0)

Kenyon-Wanamingo (0-1) at Triton (0-1)

THREE RIVERS CONFERENCE

Chatfield (1-0) at Plainview-Elgin-Millville (0-1)

SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

Lyle/Pacelli (0-1) at Glenville-Emmons (0-1)

Mabel-Canton (0-1) at Houston (0-1)

* * * * * 

FELDY: I thought you asked if we could stop picking tough games? Looking at this list you threw out, Phersy, I could see both of us going 1-6 this week. Now that would feel normal, for us. And two nine-man games? Have either of us ever been over .500 on nine-man games in a year? I guess the good news is, I could go 2-5 this week and still be .500, completely mediocre. 

BIG NINE

Mayo 19, Century 16: Mayo struggled to move the ball on the ground last week and I'm guessing that was mentioned often in practices this week. I liked the way the Spartans defense played against a Farmington team that was full of veterans on offense. Century had a tough way to open the season, facing the now No. 5-ranked JM Rockets. Don't ever worry about how many players Century has on its roster, just worry about the 11 they put on the field. And Jon Vik ALWAYS has those guys ready to go. I honestly have no idea which way this game will go, so I'm giving Mayo the home-field advantage.

HVL

Byron 28, Lourdes 27: Yes, Lourdes won this game, 28-13, last year, but Byron dominanted statistically. The Eagles rode a defensive TD and a special teams TD to victory. It's a new season, but you had better believe the Byron players remember what happened on their home field a year ago.

Cannon Falls 34, Goodhue 28: Both of these teams showed they can put up points last week. The Bombers have a couple dozen letterwinners back, while Goodhue lost 16 seniors to graduation. It's tough to pick against the 'Cats on their home turf, but I think this year' Bombers team will be closer to the 2010 team (7-3) than the 2011 team (4-5).

Triton 27, Kenyon-Wanamingo 19: This isn't the dominant Triton team we're used to, but the Cobras aren't as bad as the 42-0 loss to Byron last week might indicate. K-W has some speed, which could pose some problems for the Cobras, but I'll go with Triton here.

THREE RIVERS

Chatfield 24, P-E-M 19: This is the first big test for a Chatfield team that features two all-conference running backs and a quarterback who has a full year of varsity experience and is just a junior. P-E-M hung with defending state champ Caledonia last week, but couldn't get much going on offense. This could be a big early-season win for the Gophs.

SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

Lyle/Pacelli 36, Glenville-Emmons 20: G-E is a young team under a new coach. The Wolverines will be more competitive by the end of the season, but I like the Athletics here. L/P doesn't have a lot of players with experience, but it has five seniors who played a lot last season. 

Houston 29, Mabel-Canton 22: The Hurricanes have more than a dozen players back and a lot of speed. That will be the difference in this one. 

* * * * *

PHERSY: Feldy, you're making it tough to make up ground with these picks. I like your picks this week ... please don't tell anyone that. I'll go a different direction on a few, though, just to be safe. ...

BIG NINE

Mayo 14, Century 7: I think Mayo got a nice wakeup call last week, and the Spartans will be ready to go this week. I would not be suprised if this score was flipped, though.

HVL

Lourdes 27, Byron 20: You're killing me with this pick, Feldy. I wanted to jump on the Bears bandwagon ... especially figuring you'd be Mr. Hometown and go with the Eagles. But, Lourdes is good. So is Byron. This is as good as it gets this early in the season. I'll take the Eagles on the turf at RCTC, but the Bears should be considered the favorites with their talented club.

Cannon Falls 30, Goodhue 14: Ugh, Feldy. I don't like going against my Wildcats. But yes, that Cannon Falls offense is pretty solid. And Goodhue is rebuilding. It never takes them long, though.

Triton 20, Kenyon-Wanamingo 17: This game will be closer than people think. But Triton is just a little better at the skill positions and that will be the difference.

THREE RIVERS

Chatfield 36, P-E-M 20: Again Feldy, you're killing me. I was going to sneak in there and go with the Gophs. They're good people. It's time to recognize it. And PEM is in full rebuilding mode.

SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

Glenville-Emmons 30, Lyle/Pacelli 28: G-E is young, but there's some talent there. It's a chance for one of these teams to get on track

Houston 49, Mabel-Canton 39: I think this has the potential to be the most entertaining game of the week. M-C can run with Houston. It should be high-scoring if the weather cooperates.

HS Football Picks: Section Finals

PHERSY: So yeah, Feldy won. Congrats. Golf clap. I'm not good ... I guess we'll still do picks this week, unfortunately.

SECTION 1AAAA

Red Wing 23, Faribault 12: While Andrew Ubbelohde isn't walking through that door any time soon, I'll still roll with the Wingers. I've seen both teams; Red Wing has the better quarterback and the better defense. That will carry the Wingers into the state tournament.

SECTION 1AAA

Plainview-Elgin-Millville 40, Stewartville 27: It was a good run for the Tigers in a brutally tough section. But the Bulldogs, with that three-headed monster in the backfield, are legit. They're state-title contenders.

SECTION 1AA

Caledonia 30, Zumbrota-Mazeppa 14: Another nice run in a tough section for a squad like Z-M. But Caledonia has improved each week. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but the Warriors defense is lights out.

SECTION 1A

Blooming Prairie 38, Southland 27: Luc Zellmer is back, and that means the Blossoms are going to be darn tough to beat. The Rebels seemed to have it pointed back in the right direction, but I'm sticking with BP.

SECTION 1 NINE-MAN

Spring Grove 26, Grand Meadow 8: Spring Grove's defense is amazing. There won't be many nine-man teams in the state that can touch that D. SG could keep playing for a few weeks.

* * * * *

FELDY: I'll take Phersy's golf clap and savor it for a long time coming. I wish I could be a gracious winner, but what can I say? Should be some great section finals tonight. Wish I was gonna be at one! Anyway, on with the final picks of the season:

SECTION 1AAAA
Faribault 33, Red Wing 23: CAW! CAW! Does a falcon make that sound? I have no idea. Faribault Falcons win and get to state. They make Bruce Smith (the former Gopher, not Buffalo Bill) proud.

SECTION 1AAA
P-E-M 35, Stewartville 20: A week ago, Kasson-Mantorville came within 6 points of PEM. It's the first time all year a team had done so. It would have been a 12-point win for the 'Dogs had they just taken a knee after a late interception. Either way, they're going to be tough to beat on their home turf. Or any other turf, for that matter. Their line is huge and physical and they can pound away with three RBs. The big test will be slowing Stewy's passing game and RB Rodney Smith.

SECTION 1AA
Caledonia 27, Z-M 13: The Warriors just don't lose at home. I know they lost at home to PEM earlier this season, but, other than that, they just don't lose at home. :)

SECTION 1A
Southland 21, Blooming Prairie 20: Upset special. I might be crazy to think the Blossoms' O could be held to 20 points. Yeah, I'm probably crazy.

SECTION 1 9-MAN
Spring Grove 33, Grand Meadow 16: This Lions team is unbelievably strong all-around. They just might have to push the start of hoops practice back a few days.

High school football picks | Section semifinals

FELDY: I'm cleaning off a spot on my shelf for our traveling football picks trophy, the P-B Cup (which, really, is just an old coffee mug that former P-B sports writer Steve Webb left behind in the desk I inherited).

Anyhow, I'm 47-16; Phersy is 41-22. He's going to have to make some bold moves this week and next. Unfortunately for me, we're getting to the point that all of these games could really go either way.

As Phersy would say, #letsgetiton ... Is that what he says? Doesn't matter, I guess.

I'm going to select the games and pick first, as Phersy is avoiding his computer right now. Hopefully he gets his picks in by game time.

I'm also including the seed of each team:

SECTION 1AAAAA
No. 2 Owatonna 27, No. 3 JM 21: Huskies rebounded well last week after that tough, last-minute loss to Mayo in the regular season finale. One thing about this JM, team, though, it seems like they're able to get themselves mentally prepared and are intense for every game. And, after watching tape of the Mayo-Owatonna game, the Rockets know the Huskies are beatable.

SECTION 1AAAA
No. 3 Northfield 14, No. 2 Red Wing 12: These teams were separated by just one score when they met in the regular season. The Raiders flip the tables on the Wingers this time.

SECTION 1AAA
No. 1 Lourdes 26, No. 5 Stewartville 19: Stewy handed Lourdes its only loss this season. The Eagles have probably thought about it every day since. It wouldn't surprise me if the Tigers win again, but I'll give Lourdes the home-field advantage.

No. 2 P-E-M 37, No. 3 Kasson-Mantorville 31 (OT): This could be the game of the night in the area and possibly the state. It's the best matchup in arguably the best section in the state. I'll take the 'Dogs D to make a stand in OT, then their offense gets the winning points.

SECTION 1AA
No. 2 Chatfield 17, No. 3 Zumbrota-Mazeppa 14: I'll go with the 3-point home-field advantage for coach Jeff Johnson and the Gophers. Hopefully coach Johnson (he's also the Gophs' softball coach) doesn't flash ahead and think this is a Chatty-ZM softball showdown. Might be trouble if he calls for the fastball on EVERY play.

SECTION 1A
No. 3 Southland 16, No. 2 Fillmore Central 9: The Falcons beat Southland, 7-0, in their regular season matchup. This is a tough one to call because it's another one of those sections where I could see any of the four remaining teams winning the championship. (Blooming Prairie and Goodhue meet in the other Section 1A semifinal).

SECTION 1 9-MAN
No. 2 Grand Meadow 24, No. 3 Mabel-Canton 16: M-C beat Grand Meadow during the regular season by one score. I'll say the Larks flip that result today. And, as usual, Cougars fans should be overjoyed because I pick 9-man games as well as the Rangers close out World Series games.

****

PHERSY: Yeah, yeah, yeah I'm not good ... it's about time you win this thing after five straight years of losing.

I'm going for broke this week ... because let's face it, I'm already broke.

SECTION 1AAAAA

No. 3 JM 22, No. 2 Owatonna 19: Ugh, the Rockets will have to play a lot better than they did last week to pull off this upset. But I'm in trouble in the standings ... so go Rockets!

SECTION 1AAAA

No. 2 Red Wing 16, No. 3 Northfield 6: Red Wing didn't look good last week in the rain, cold and wind. But the weather is nice today, so Newman will do enough and the defense will carry the Wingers to victory.

SECTION 1AAA

No. 1 Lourdes 20, No. 5 Stewartville 19: The Eagles get their revenge. Sorry Tigers!

No. 3 Kasson-Mantorville 28, No. 2 P-E-M 17, : Winner of this game is a state-title contender. This is a great wrestling rivalry, so I hate Feldy for doing this to me ... but I'm going with the KoMets.

SECTION 1AA

No. 3 Zumbrota-Mazeppa 14, No. 2 Chatfield 13:This would be a huge upset, but I have to get crazy to catch Feldy. ZM survived a scare last week. Let's hope it motivates them.

SECTION 1A

No. 2 Fillmore Central 21, No. 3 Southland 7: Fillmore knows it can beat the Rebels. They'll do it again.

SECTION 1 9-MAN

No. 3 Mabel-Canton 26, No. 2 Grand Meadow 24, : This one is a no-brainer ... I always do the opposite when Feldy is picking Nine-Man games. LOL. Go M-C!

High school football picks | Section quarterfinals

FELDY: Do I even need to pick on Phersy anymore? No, I don't, even though he lost two more games to me last week. I'll do my best Denny Green and take the high road. Phersy only has three weeks left to make up a five-game deficit; I'm 41-15 after a 6-1 week last Wednesday. Phersy is 36-20 after going a mediocre 4-3. I'll let him pick first this week, but I don't feel sorry enough for him to give him any freebies. Here we go ...

SECTION 1AAAAA
Century (4-4) at JM (6-2)
Lakeville South (6-2) at Mayo (6-2)

SECTION 1AAA
Stewartville (5-3) at Byron (6-2)
Lake City (6-2) at Kasson-Mantorville (6-2)

SECTION 1AA
Winona Cotter (2-6) at Lewiston-Altura (4-4)

SECTION 1A
Kingsland (3-5) at Goodhue (5-3)

SECTION 1 9-MAN
Houston (4-4) at Lanesboro (5-3)

•••••••

PHERSY: Whoa, Feldy showing some compassion ... that's crazy talk. Yeah, yeah ... Feldy, why don't you tell our fan what my text message said right after I made last week's picks. I knew I was going down, hard. Oh well. I guess all I can do is press again this week ... and pray it's upset central. #leggo

SECTION 1AAAAA

John Marshall 35, Century 20: I don't think the rematch will be as close. Kirsch takes control.

Lakeville South 45, Mayo 21: I dare ya Feldy ...

SECTION 1AAA

Byron 35, Stewartville 27: The Tigers will be motivated after their one-point loss to the Bears early in the season. However, these are two teams headed in different directions. The Bears have won five of their last six, while the Tigers have dropped two straight.

Kasson-Mantorville 31, Lake City 30: The KoMets survive a scare from the upstart Tigers. That said, I have this strange feeling Lake City will be uber motivated after they weren't mentioned in the Section 1AAA football preview.

SECTION 1AA

Winona Cotter 27, Lewiston-Altura 20: This is a scary game. I'll take Cotter in the upset after its huge win over Goodhue last week.

SECTION 1A

Goodhue 21, Kingsland 13: Come on Feldy? I can't go against G-Force, even if the loss to Cotter scares me. I'll stick with the Purple.

SECTION 1 9-MAN

Lanesboro 35, Houston 34: Feldy, you wouldn't kick those Houston kids in the shorts, would you? ... No, this game scares me because Lanesboro has dropped two straight. But that 17-point win over Houston early in the season is hard to overlook.

* * *

SECTION 1AAAAA
JM 28, Century 20: Rockets had a big scare put into them last week. They're pumped for a home playoff game for the first time in seven years and they'll pull through. Century always is tough this time of year, so Panthers keep it close.
South 34, Mayo 27: Can't do it, Phersy. South's offense is exactly the type that gives Mayo (and almost every other team, for that matter) fits. The Spartans had their best defensive effort of the season last week but I'm concerned about how they'll fare against the Cougars' pass-happy offense.

SECTION 1AAA
Stewartville 23, Byron 20: As you said, Phersy, two teams headed in different directions here, but Stewy knows it can hang with Byron. This one might come down to whoever has the ball last.
K-M 33, Lake City 21: K-M's just playing too well. Lake City is a HVL divisional champ, though, so the KoMets better not look ahead to a possible matchup with P-E-M on Saturday.

SECTION 1AA
Lewiston-Altura 44, Cotter 38: I like your pick, Phersy. Hard to argue with a QB (Cotter's) who threw 7 TD passes last week. But L-A is a competitive team; two of its four losses came by one score. I'll take the Cards at home.

SECTION 1A
Goodhue 18, Kingsland 12: While Goodhue's D slipped last week, its offense kept clicking. Kingsland just hasn't shown the ability in the second half of the season to put a lot of points up, averaging less than 10 per game over the past four games.

SECTION 1 9-MAN
Houston 61, Mabel-Canton 60: I say it every week, but I have no ability to pick nine-man games. I flipped a coin on this one. Houston was "heads."