Minneapolis North, St. Paul Highland Park, Robbinsdale Cooper and SMB have plenty to be proud of. Each football team will be playing for a state football playoff this Friday.
Minneapolis North’s season has been pretty quiet, but the Polars themselves are making a lot of noise. Last year’s second place Class 1A runners-up are seeking their third consecutive state playoff appearance after defeating Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 40-14.
North is led by quarterback Azerik Rodgers, running back T’yree Cox, receivers Corleon Powell, Tayler Johnson and Nasir El-Amin along with defensive leaders Phaizon Scott, Quinton Jamison-Travis and Jamire Jackson.
They play Mayer-Lutheran for the Class 1A Section 4 championship.
St. Paul Highland Park’s 33-23 win over Columbia Heights sets up a showdown with Fridley for the Class 4A Section 4 crown.
The Scots are led by do-it-all all-purpose quarterback Amitri Collins-Westlund, who has accounted for over 1,000 yards in passing and over 1,000 in rushing yardage; running back Antonio Ortiz; and defensive leader Josh Aune, who is also the team’s top receiver.
After defeating Irondale 42-12, Robbinsdale Cooper gets another shot at Spring Lake Park for the Class 5A Section 5 championship.
The Hawks are led by quarterback Cameron King, running back CJ Adams, receiver Jordan Brown and defensive leaders Domonic Quewon and Daniel Summers.
SMB — the co-op that combines St. Paul Academy, Minnehaha Academy and Blake — find themselves in the Class 5A Section 4 title game against Mahtomedi after defeating St. Paul Central 28-7 last week.
The Wolfpack are led by freshman quarterback Jalen Suggs — one of the nation’s top basketball prospects — and running back Siegal Howard.
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald is a contributing columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.