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It’s time for some section playoffs this week as three area teams get set for the postseason. Faribault and Kenyon-Wanamingo will play on Tuesday night while Waterville-Elysian-Morristown won’t see the field again until Saturday in the second round of the Section 2AA bracket. Bethlehem Academy’s season has already concluded so the Cardinals are done for the year.
Here’s a look at the week ahead.
Ike Teske runs with the ball for Faribault. (Ben Jones — Faribault.com)
Faribault at Winona on Tuesday, Oct 27:
The Falcons are looking to avenge a 49-18 loss to Winona earlier this season in the first round of section playoff action. Faribault has improved since that September 17 meeting and the 3-5 Winhawks are certainly a beatable team, falling in three of their last four games this season. Kick is slated for 7:00 pm on the road as both teams look to extend their seasons at least one more game. Faribault will make the trip from Class AAAA to Class AAA this offseason so this will be the last Class AAAA for at least a little while.
The Kenyon-Wanamingo defensive line prepares for the snap. (Ben Jones — Faribault.com)
Kenyon-Wanamingo at Goodhue on Tuesday, Oct 27:
Goodhue isn’t the same team it was last year but the Class AA runner-ups are still a solid, physical bunch yet again. The Knights have shown the ability to move the ball through the air but limiting turnovers and finding a bit more stopping power on defense will be the key to keeping this one close. A meeting earlier this season went Goodhue’s way to the tune of a 38-6 final.
Gavin Atherton makes a cut with the ball. (Ben Jones — Faribault.com)
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown hosting either St. Clair/Loyola or Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton on Saturday Oct 31 at 2:00 PM:
The undefeated Buccaneers will host either St. Clair/Loyola or JWP this weekend in Waterville at 2:00 PM. All things being equal WEM wouldn’t hate to see St. Clair/Loyola pull off a first round upset to avoid a JWP offense that can put up points and boast perhaps the best receiver in the section in Gavin Bauer. WEM beat St. Clair/Loyola 36-0 just a few weeks ago and held off JWP 42-32 in late September. A win in this game at the Buccaneers would likely face either Maple River or Blooming Prairie/Hayfield in the section championship.
All told the Buccaneers can, and have, beaten everyone in the bracket, but beating the same team twice is never easy.