Prep picks
After more than a week off, the heavyweights step up for the first round of the Class 6A football playoffs. Staff writer Jim Paulsen (18-14) has been playing rope-a-dope with David La Vaque (20-12) all season, but his arms — not to mention ego — have taken a beating. Time to fight back.
Section 5
Blaine (4-4) at Centennial (6-2), 7 p.m.
Jim says: Time for defenses to set the tone. Blaine’s has been uncharacteristically abysmal over its final three games, giving up 148 points, including 56 in a loss to Centennial.
Pick: Centennial 33, Blaine 16.
David says: The bracket favors No. 3 seed Centennial against No. 6 Blaine, but I see a potent Bengals offense making enough plays in a wild game.
Pick: Blaine 38, Centennial 35
Section 6
Wayzata (2-6) at Minnetonka (4-4), 7 p.m.
Jim says: A rematch of the regular-season finale, won by the Skippers 17-6. Wayzata, rested and getting healthy, can bury two months worth of misery with a victory. I’m calling the upset.
Pick: Wayzata 19, Minnetonka 16
David says: It’s been a funny season when Wayzata, a traditional power, plays the underdog role. But redemption must wait until next fall. Minnetonka is a tough out in the postseason.
Pick: Minnetonka 21, Wayzata 14
Edina (2-6) at Hopkins (4-4), 7 p.m.
Jim says: Hopkins won five games, including a 27-24 victory over Edina, but had to forfeit another victory because of an administrative error. The first game with the Hornets was a virtual dead heat. Hopkins will pull out another nail-biter.
Pick: Hopkins 30, Edina 28.
David says: So Jim has forsaken Edina after touting the Hornets all season as the state’s best sub-.500 team? For shame. I’ll take his bandwagon seat. Edina, a strong second-half team this season, must start fast this time around.
Pick: Edina 28, Hopkins 21