Pair of Unbeaten H.S. Football Squads Square off in Regular Season Finale

Gameday

Eden Prairie (7-0, 3-0 in the Lake Conference) at Wayzata (7-0, 3-0 in the Lake Conference)

Playmakers

Antonio Ford, Wayzata (Running Back): Ford has supplied the Trojan’s running game with a lot of horse power throughout most of the season. He continues to shine in his role as a low, tough runner. Ford has carried the ball 102 times for 632 yards, averaging more than six yards every time he touches the football. Wayzata will need his toughness when attempting to establish the run against a big Eden Prairie defense

Andrew Larson, Eden Prairie (Running Back): Larson’s production this year puts him in the top tier of ball carriers in the state. His physical running style makes him hard to bring down. That, coupled with the Eagles’ notorious smash-mouth football style, means Larson is capable of going off on opponents for big yardage. He has carried the football 115 times for 999 yards so far this season, averaging just less than nine yards per carry. He’s been averaging more than 140 yards on the ground in every game this year, and the Trojan defense will need to play tougher than they have all year to contain Larson.

The Trojans win if…

They play mistake-free football and play tough in the trenches. Eden Prairie’s approach to the game isn’t a secret: they are going to pound the football.

The Eagles win if…

They can force their style of play on Wayzata and not turn the ball over. If the Eagles can execute their brute style of offense against a smaller Wayzata defense, they have a good chance at winning the game. But they will need to hang onto the ball and not turn it over.

Key Injuries

Mitch Underhill, Wayzata (Running back): Underhill tweaked his knee in the opening game against Prior Lake. An MRI revealed a torn ACL. He will be out for the remainder of the season.

For the most part, Wayzata has been able to avoid major injuries throughout most of the season. They hope to keep it that way going into the section playoffs.

Two-Minute Drill

Site: Wayzata High School

Time: 7 p.m.

Projected Weather: Partly Cloudy, 50 degrees

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

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Gameday

Mound Westonka (1-6, 0-6 Wright County Conference) vs. Waconia (3-4, 2-4 Wright County Conference)

Playmakers

David Bingham, Mound Westonka (Running Back): Has a team-high 276 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Scored on a fumble recovery in their lone win over Minneapolis Henry. 

Riley Williams, Mound Westonka (Running Back): Scored two touchdowns in the Henry win and is the team’s second leading rusher. 

Logan Baumann, Waconia (Running Back/Defensive Back): Has taken advantage of the opportunities with the loss of their top two running backs, due to graduation. Has rushed 61 times for 467 yards. 

Maxx Williams, Waconia (Quarterback): KARE-11 preseason All-Metro selection as an athlete. The Minnesota Gopher football commit has passed for 446 yards and rushed for 428 yards. 

White Hawks win if...
They can get off to a better start. The White Hawks have been outscored 195-28 in the first half.  

Wildcats win if...
They can stop Williams, who is more of a runner than passer. 

Two-minute drill
Site: Waconia Middle School
Time: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 42 degrees 
Last meeting: Waconia defeated Mound-Westonka 49-6 on the road in the season finale last year. 

Mound Westonka Schedule
Sept. 2 at Hutchinson (L, 47-6)
Sept. 9 vs. Orono (L, 20-0)
Sept. 16 at Delano (L, 40-18)
Sept. 23 vs. Litchfield (L, 50-14)
Sept. 30 at Minneapolis Henry (W, 35-8)
Oct. 7 vs. Annandale (L, 35-7)
Oct. 14 vs. Dassel-Cokato (L, 35-0)
Oct. 19 at Waconia 

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Gameday 

Orono (2-5, 1-5 Wright County Conference) vs. Litchfield (3-4, 3-4 Wright County Conference) 

Playmakers

Grant Schoen, Orono (Quarterback): Completed 22-of-30 passes for a season-high 223 yards last week against Delano. He had a rushing and passing score in the game. Schoen has thrown for ten passing scores as he has completed 95-of-163 passes for 960 yards this season. 

Tom Wachman, Orono (Offensive Tackle/Linebacker): Leads the Spartans with 750 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He has rushed for over 130 yards the last three games. 

Devan Schliemann, Litchfield (Running Back/Defensive Back): The junior has 75 tackles and has posted double figure tackles in four games this season. 

Jon Terning, Litchfield (Wide Receiver): Senior leads the Dragons with 29 catches for 327 yards and four receiving touchdowns. Had a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown versus Waconia earlier this season. 

Spartans win if...
They can show off a varied offense attack. They have passed for 950 yards and rushed for 1,029 yards this season. 

Dragons win if...
They can play better in the fourth quarter. The Dragons have been outscored 96-25 in the fourth quarter after having 68 more points in their first three quarters. They have lost three games to ranked teams this year.

Two-minute drill
Site: Litchfield High School
Time: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 42 degrees 
Last meeting: Orono defeated Litchfield 25-14 at home in 2009. 

ORONO SCHEDULE
Sept. 2 vs. Waconia (L, 28-14)
Sept. 9 at Mound Westonka (W, 20-0)
Sept. 16 vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake (L, 28-8)
Sept. 23 at Dassel-Cokato (L, 21-9)
Sept. 30 at Hutchinson (L, 34-21)
Oct. 7 vs. Grand Rapids (W, 35-21)
Oct. 14 at Delano (L, 28-21)
Oct. 19 vs. Litchfield