Community Corner
Playoff Football Preview: Wayzata vs. Cretin-Derham Hall
The only two remaining undefeated teams in class 5A go toe-to-toe in Saturday's state semifinals.
Gameday
Wayzata (11-0, 4-0 in the Lake Conference) vs. Cretin-Derham Hall (11-0, 8-0 in the Suburban East Conference)
Playmakers
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Antonio Ford, Wayzata (Running Back): Injuries to the Wayzata backfield has meant more carries for Ford, and it has worked out well. He ran for 249 yards on 18 carries against Moorhead, including a 90-yard run for a touchdown early in the third quarter. He’s tough to bring down, and he has shown the ability to break a game wide open when he has the ball.
James Onwualu, Cretin-Derham Hall (Running Back): Onwualu ran for 100 yards last week against a tough Lakeville North defense. He has the ability to be the workhorse the Raiders need going into a game against Wayzata, who has one of the best defenses in the state.
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The Trojans win if…
They can dominate with the run game while playing their tough, fast brand of defense. If Ford has the kind of game he had against Moorhead, the Trojans have a good chance at winning this game. Also, if they enforce their will on the Raiders’ offense—like they did against Eden Prairie during the last game of the regular season—they will win this game.
The Raiders win if…
They can control the football and not commit costly turnovers. The Raiders are undefeated for a reason. They have enough fire power to play with anyone, but if they give the ball away to a team like Wayzata—giving the Trojans good field position—they will find themselves short at the end of the game.
Key Injuries
Mitch Underhill, Wayzata: Underhill tweaked his knee in the opening game against Prior Lake. An MRI revealed a torn ACL. He’s out for the remainder of the season.
Erik Roti, Wayzata: Roti hurt his ankle during the victory over Champlin Park. The Trojans hope to get him back soon.
Ryan Poppitz, Wayzata: Poppitz suffered a torn meniscus in his knee against Champlin Park. He will be out for the remainder of the season. Poppitz is one of the Trojan’s stars on defense. Someone will need to step up and fill his position.
Two-Minute Drill
Site: Metrodome
Time: 8:15 p.m.
Wayzata Schedule
Sept. 1 at Prior Lake (W, 47-20)
Sept. 9 at Eagan (W, 28-7)
Sept. 16 vs. Anoka (W, 44-21)
Sept. 23 vs. Carmel Catholic (University of Dubuque) (W, 33-27)
Sept. 30 vs. Minnetonka (W, 35-7)
Oct. 6 at Edina (W, 28-6)
Oct. 14 at Hopkins (W, 40-20)
Oct. 19 vs. Eden Prairie (W, 9-0)
Oct. 29 vs. Champlin Park (W, 21-14)
Nov. 4 vs. Osseo (W, 30-7)
Nov. 12 vs. Moorhead (W, 49-14)
Nov. 19 vs. Cretin-Derham Hall