Don’t look now, but there is a possibility that the Minneapolis and St. Paul City Conferences could have tremendous representation when the state high school football playoffs start in a couple of weeks.
A combined four schools (two from Minneapolis and two from St. Paul) earned top seeds in their respective sections.
Check this out!
Minneapolis North
Minneapolis North, who would have played in their first playoff game by the time this column is published, is the top seed in Section 4A.
The Polars finished second in the Minneapolis City Conference behind the outstanding play of sophomore quarterback TYLER JOHNSON. Johnson passed for 1,929 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also led them in rushing with 571 yards and nine scores.
Receivers KEYON THOMAS, MARCUS JACKSON and MALIK MATTHEWS each had outstanding seasons for the Polars as well.
Minneapolis Washburn
The Millers, the top seed in Section 3AAAAA, captured yet another City Conference crown behind running back JEFF JONES, the state’s top recruit. Jones, who also plays basketball, rushed for 1,363 yards and an eye-popping 32 touchdowns, averaging 170 yards per game.
KEVIN, GLEASON, KIRK BROWN, GRAHAM MILLER, TOBIAS KNIGHT, FRED EDWARDS and CLAYTON BURTON led Washburn’s defense.
St. Paul Central
The Minutemen captured their sixth straight City title en route to earning the top seed in Section 5AAAAA.
Quarterback FELIX TAYLOR led an outstanding ground attack with running backs JAKOBI JACKSON, GARRET GARDNER, TOMMY COOPER and JAMAL GALATO keeping opposing defenses confused.
Receiver RAYEON WILLIAMS is one who has a chance to score every time he catches a pass.
Gardner, DAILEN WALKER, ANTONIO CARMICHAEL and TE’RON WELCH led Central’s defense.
St. Paul Highland Park
The Scots gave Central all they could handle before settling for second place in the City Conference, thus earning them a top seed in Section 3AAAA.
Quarterback PAUL MUNOZ showed that he was among the metro area’s top signal callers, passing for 1,288 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Running back ISAIAH BROWER caught eight passes for touchdowns and rushed for 11 more. Fellow backfield mate DEEJAY SIMS ran for eight touchdowns.
If all goes according to plan, the 2013 playoffs could be one to remember.
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.
Reach the staff at the MSR at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.