CLICK HERE to watch this week's slate of games in the PREP ZONE player!

CLICK HERE to watch this week's slate of games in the PREP ZONE player!

By: Joe Nelson

The state tournament semifinal round kicks off with games Friday through Saturday. If you're heading to the Metrodome, the schedule looks like this.

9-Man - 8:00 a.m. both days

Class A - 10:15 a.m. both days

Class AA - 5:45 p.m. both days

Class AAA - 3:15 p.m. both days

Class AAAA - 12:45 p.m. both days

Class AAAAA - 8:15 p.m. both days

I've spent the enitre season covering 4A and 5A and I'm pretty sure I can pick the winner of each of the semifinal games. In 4A I think Mankato West is a lock to beat Bemidji. This is a game featuring two, three-year starting QB's. Phillip Nelson, the Gopher recruit from Mankato West and Mitchell Hendricks of Bemidji. Hendricks is playing in his third straight state tourney, but first game in the 'Dome.

As good as Bemidji is with Hendricks running the show, I don't think they have enough firepower to stay with Mankato West. Nelson can single-handedly take over a game at any point, but he doesn't need to because the players around him are very talented as well. I expect Bemidji to move the football against the Scarlets, but I don't think they'll pull out a victory.

I also like Hill-Murray's chances against Rocori. The Central Lakes Conference always represents itself well in the state tourney. Rocori has won 11-straight after losing their season opener to Brainerd. However, there is something to be said about teams that throw the ball well in Minnesota high school football. They are tough to beat, and with Brooks Bollinger at the helm, I like the Pioneers to spin it past the Spartans and set up a spread offense Prep Bowl between Mankato West and Hill-Murray.

The two semifinal games in class 5A should be awesome. Eden Prairie is a favorite over Totino-Grace, but the loss of LT Nick Davidson is bad news for them. Davidson, the son of Vikings' offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, is a first team all-metro player. He won't be easy to replace.

Although Eden Prairie looks like a favorite, I believe Totino-Grace can keep pace as long as they continue to play solid defense. T-G moves laterally with speed better than almost every team in Minnesota, and they tackle extremely well. They need to counter Eden Prairie's size with speed. However, if T-G goes down by a touchdown or two early, EP has all the ability in the world to turn the game into a blowout. I like EP by a hair.

The other semifinal match-up is between Wayzata and Cretin-Derham Hall. I've seen both teams in person, and have to admit Wayzata looks like the better team. Both teams have backfields featuring speed and power. Kendrick Brewster is the bigger back for CDH while James Onwaulu is the speedster. For Wayzata, the power runner is Antonio Ford. He blends beautifully with Eric Roti -- one of the state's fastest track stars.

The difference in this game will be the defensive speed of Wayzata. They cause so many problems with blitz packages that opposing QBs frequently don't know what to do with the ball. The Trojans are a turnover forcing machine, and Raiders' junior QB Conor Rhoda will have his hands full. Rhoda, however, can run a little bit and he throws the ball very well. Unfortunately, CDH isn't loaded with a ton of talent in the receiving corp to beat the Trojans over the top -- and that might be necessary for them to win.