Greenway and Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl have a shot to end the season on a high note by winning the Iron Range Conference title. It would be a swan song for teams that have largely been victims of competitive schedules, and whether each can parlay that battle-tested mentality into results down the stretch remains to be seen.
Greenway has taken its lumps against top competition. In December, the Raiders suffered losses to Duluth Denfeld (4-3), No. 2-1A St. Cloud Cathedral (5-3), No. 4-1A East Grand Forks (4-2), and No. 3-1A Mahtomedi (5-2). January hasn’t gotten any easier, with the Raiders dropping a 5-4 decision in overtime to both No. 10-2A Chaska on Jan. 4 and No. 8-1A Orono a day later, and they lost 3-1 at Roseau on Jan. 11. Greenway does, however, have a 5-3 win over No. 6-1A Alexandria from Dec. 27, a sign the Raiders (6-13, 3-0) can do more than just stay close against top competition.
Greenway’s points leader, Donte Lawson (33), has had a tally on the score sheet in all but five games, and he’s scored against Denfeld, Alexandria, Mahtomedi, Chaska and Orono, so the quality of opponent hasn’t nullified his production.
Virginia/Mountain-Iron Buhl hasn’t played nonconference and non-section opponents as close, with the Blue Devils losing to No. 10-1A Warroad (6-2), No. 3-1A Mahtomedi (7-2), No. 6-1A Alexandria (3-0), No. 8-1A Orono (4-2), No. 2-1A Cathedral (5-0) and Sartell-St. Stephen (2-1). The Blue Devils (7-11-1, 3-2) tied Denfeld 3-3 on Dec. 11 and lost 3-2 to Greenway on Nov. 29 in their first meeting this season.
The Blue Devils’ Cade Moreland had both goals in the loss to Greenway, and is tied for the team lead with nine goals.