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The air has gotten a little more crisp, the sun starts sinking just a little bit earlier each day and this weekend, we’ve got real, live playoff games in northern Minnesota.
I know it’s cliche to say “playoff football is just different,” but, doggonnit, it is different.
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The weather has changed and everyone in the stands will be bundled up like it’s Christmas Eve. If we’re being honest, I always thought it seemed a little silly with all the blankets and everything. We’re in Minnesota, it’s not that cold yet.
Then, one day my wife pointed out that while it is not that cold during most of these football games, those metal benches sure don’t help matters, and it’s rarely my butt sitting on those benches.
Nope, I’m down on the field, or, if it’s in any way uncomfortable out, I’m sitting in the press box. There’s probably a space heater nearby.
Anyway, I’m rambling.
We’ll get a taste of playoff football Tuesday, but if we’re still being honest, those games are rarely competitive and I have to say I agree with Louie St. George, one of my predecessors in this job. Louie mentioned the tough way to go out, but the winners of those games end up playing four football games in 15 days. That’s something we don’t ask of professionals, it’s not something we should ask of high school kids.
Oh no, I’ve digressed again.
Last year, Mesabi East shocked Barnum in the Section 7AA semifinals. I don’t know if we’ll have upsets like that, but hopefully we’ll have some thrilling games that we’ll be talking about this time next year.
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— Jamey Malcomb
The Thunderhawks have one loss and that’s to Class AAAAA Bemidji. At the time, I didn’t think the 24-7 loss was a big deal and I think that’s played out.
Greg Spahn’s team rallied and did what it needed to do to earn the top seed in Section 7AAAA and a top five ranking in the state.
I haven’t seen them play, but I think this is the deepest team in the section and they’re going to cause problems for anyone they play from here on out. Anyone familiar with the section knows they are well-coached and they won’t beat themselves.
My guess is they won’t have any trouble with the winner of Cloquet and Denfeld, teams the Thunderhawks beat by a combined score of 101-8 this season.
— JM
2. Northwestern (9-0)
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After receiving a No. 1 ranking in the Division 5 coaches’ poll in Week 1, Northwestern won eight consecutive games and a Heart O’North Conference championship while outscoring opponents by an average of more than 40 points per game.
That, apparently, wasn’t enough for the WIAA’s Playoff Matrix, a computerized system that doles out brackets and seeds for the postseason tournaments.
Northwestern received a No. 2 seed in their bracket while Grantsburg earned top honors, and that should make Tigers fans frustrated.
Not only has Northwestern played larger schools, it also dominated the only shared opponent with Grantsburg — Saint Croix Falls. The Pirates won 46-30 and allowed the Saints to amass nearly 500 yards of offense, whereas the Tigers won 41-0 and surrendered fewer than 300 yards from scrimmage.
I understand the Playoff Matrix doesn’t factor in margin of victory or statistics, but sometimes common sense should override a clearly flawed seeding system. I miss the human element of being able to say, “Hey, what’s going on here?”
The bottom line is if Northwestern wants to win its first state title since 1988, it will have to beat great teams anyway, so it’s time to go do it, and that starts against Prescott in Level 1 on Friday evening.
— Reagan Hoverman
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3. Hermantown (7-1)
Things could not have gone better for the Hawks last week against North Branch.
They forced a punt on the Vikings’ first possession and a fumble on the second. Before anyone could blink, Hermantown was up 15-0 and never looked back.
More importantly for a still-banged up Hawks squad, the win wasn’t only about running back Martin Sleen. Yes, Hermantown’s one-man wrecking crew had 242 yards and four more scores, but they were more than Sleen.
Grant Johnson made three huge plays in moments where the momentum could have swung against the Hawks, Sawyer Senst made a couple of really nice throws — including one to Bode Madill for a score — and Neo Carlson saw an opening on an onside kick that turned into a Hermantown touchdown.
The Hawks are humming and, in my humble opinion, on a collision course with the top-ranked team on our list.
— JM
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4. Moose Lake/Willow River (8-0)
Can anyone stop Moose Lake/Willow River in Section 7AA this season?
The short answer is no and there’s not really a long answer.
Dave Louzek’s squad’s closest game of the season was a 21-7 win over Class A Barnum and the team hasn’t won any section game by fewer than 20 points.
MLWR is head and shoulders better than any other team in the section and the only question is can they win a game in the state playoffs. That answer is a bit harder to predict, but appears more possible than at any point in the last few years.
— JM
5. Barnum (7-1)
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Speaking of the Bombers, Bob Minkkinen’s team looks to be the class of Section 7A.
Barnum has been on the upswing for years, but will it break through for an appearance in the state playoffs.
The Bombers will likely face a Deer River team Saturday that gave them their toughest game of the season in the section, an 18-16 win for Barnum.
It seems like the section might be there for Barnum, but I think it’s going to be a bumpy road. Not only could Deer River be a problem, but I think Braham and Mountain Iron-Buhl could be capable of beating the Bombers.
— JM
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