Spitza: 3 things from Week 3 and Week 2 of the North Dakota/Minnesota prep football seasons

FARGO — Alright, earlier than we dive into this previous weekend’s space highschool soccer motion, I have to rise up and admit I used to be improper.

I confidently said in my

weekly preview column

that my Inexperienced Bay Packers had been going to beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and the one factor they beat was me again into actuality.

My coronary heart is rarely capable of decide towards Inexperienced Bay. Even within the weekly decide ’em swimming pools I am in, I can by no means do it regardless of how powerful the opponent.

My head, nevertheless, ought to’ve seen this coming from miles away. A younger, new head coach for the Vikings in Kevin O’Connell, the most effective extensive receiver within the recreation in Justin Jefferson, and the Packers’ ineptitude to ever be ready for Week 1 — particularly this season with a questionable receiving corps and a quarterback who seemingly will get an even bigger ego by the minute (sure, many Packers followers are sick of Aaron Rodgers, too).

So there you’ve gotten it. I used to be improper. I am not one to make excuses. I hope Justin Jefferson no less than had a replica of The Discussion board in his pocket when he was standing on the sphere extensive open on each. single. play. He may’ve learn the newspaper, had a cup of espresso, taken a mid-afternoon nap and would’ve nonetheless caught the ball and scored two touchdowns.

The Vikes would be the risk within the NFC North the season. I hate to confess that however what else am I to say after that ugly exhibiting from Inexperienced Bay?

Anyhow, sufficient NFL discuss. Highschool soccer was way more enjoyable for me on Friday than the professionals had been on Sunday, so let’s leap into it. Listed below are three issues from Week 3 and Week 2 of the North Dakota/Minnesota prep soccer seasons:

Moorhead unable to carry fourth-quarter lead in dwelling opener

The Spuds entered the ultimate 12 minutes with a 10-7 lead over Brainerd Friday evening earlier than the Warriors rattled off three fourth-quarter touchdowns to tug forward for a 27-10 win.

It was Brainerd senior quarterback Getty Marcello who had the go-ahead rating, a 26-yard run to the top zone earlier than runs from junior receiver Landon Severson and senior operating again Damien Bentho put the icing on the cake for the Warriors of their first win of the season.

The downfall of the Spuds, who at the moment are 1-1, gave the impression to be their incapability to punch the ball in the long run zone with nice discipline place.

“We had thrice (within the crimson zone) and we solely got here away with one discipline purpose,” Feeney

mentioned after Friday’s contest

. ” ‘End,’ was the slogan of the day. So, that was disappointing.”

Feeney additionally famous that the protection started to put on down within the second half, serving to result in Brainerd’s three late-game scores.

If there’s any vibrant facet for the Spuds, their offense seems very succesful. Senior quarterback Gavin Quade aired it out for 332 yards on 25 completions. He threw a 28-yard landing go to sophomore receiver Owen Thielges, who completed with 12 catches for 143 yards. Junior receiver DJ Smith added 73 receiving yards whereas senior receiver Michael Haugo had 60 yards.

Moorhead heads to 0-2 Bemidji this week for an additional convention tilt. If the Spuds gamers take heed to Feeney and discover ways to end drives, they need to be alright shifting ahead.

Kindred nonetheless the favourite in 11B

On the North Dakota facet, Kindred could not have requested for a greater begin to their state title protection marketing campaign.

The Vikings entered the season at No. 1 within the North Dakota 11B ballot and so they have not surrendered that spot. They’re 4-0 after a 46-14 win over Fargo Oak Grove on Friday.

Of these 4 wins, two of them had been shutouts towards Lisbon and Hillsboro-Central Valley, two squads which aren’t any slouches by any means, with the Broncos sitting at 2-2 and the Burros at 3-1.

Area 1 is attention-grabbing proper now. Kindred and Oakes are each 4-0 whereas Central Cass is 3-1. Two of the Vikings’ subsequent three opponents are none aside from the Tornadoes (Sept. 23) and Squirrels (Sept. 30). The Vikings go to Northern Cass (1-2, 1-3 total) this week.

11AA stays extensive open

About as extensive open as Justin Jefferson on Sunday.

We entered the season viewing West Fargo Sheyenne and Bismarck Century because the favorites. The Patriots fell to West Fargo in Week 1, then the Mustangs fell to Fargo Davies in Week 2. Mandan had a reasonably stunning 2-0 begin after wins over Davies and Century to leap to No. 1 within the ballot this week, however then the Braves misplaced to unranked Minot this previous weekend.

Oh my. If that is loads to course of, properly, that is as a result of it’s. Who’s going to win this factor this yr? All of those groups have proven robust spots, however none appear invincible on the identical time.

Maybe essentially the most attention-grabbing side of all of it is that the Bismarck groups are off to a traditionally surprising begin:

Century’s three losses got here by the hands of West Fargo, Mandan and Sheyenne whereas Bismarck has losses to Fargo Shanley, Bismarck St. Mary’s and Davies.

In the meantime, Shanley is 3-0 after a 49-0 win over 11A No. 3 Fargo South this previous weekend. It could be protected to imagine the Deacons will leap to No. 1 on this week’s ballot.

I do know we’re solely getting into Week 4, however the 11AA class positively has me hyped for the playoffs already.