Minnesota is down to the semis as Hopkins takes on North Shore (Duluth) and Edina faces Minnetonka.

Most of these teams have faced each other this season, but in non-conference games, as they all ended up winning their respective conferences.

Hopkins defeated Edina 29-26 and Duluth 29-17, while Duluth also logged a 20-0 win over Minnetonka. However, Duluth lost to Edina while Edina were defeated by Minnetonka - both by identical 28-26 scores.

So, in the end, it’s a crapshoot on Saturday, with the final and 3rd/4th games to be played a week later.

“We feel pretty comfortable,” said Hopkins Head Coach Dan Johnson. “Everybody seems to be healthy and we’ve had a week of rest.”

Johnson said his team has been working hard on their forward play, which has improved over the season, and he hopes to see his big runners from the pack - led by Webb Bolstad - test some outer channels.

“We know North Shore - Duluth will be tough,” added Johnson. “The last time we played them we definitely had the upper hand, but we will see. We are all on the same page, and that’s important.”

Duluth is led by Charlie Hooghkirk, Andre Hanks, Austin Imig, and Connor Rudd, and have the ability to shut down opponents.

Meanwhile, Edina is thinking they might have made sufficient improvements to win their semi. Some intense film work identified some areas where Minnetonka hurt them last time.

“They capitalized very well on our mistakes, so if we play well as a team and have better defense on the wings, we will do better,” said Edina Coach Chris Babiash. 

Emotional leader Sam Benowski is back healthy, and Nick Taylor is back from a broken hand, too. Those are key additions to a team that could win, said Babiash, “if we take care of the ball.”

The Plate Semis and Bowl Semis will also be played in Ostego this weekend. The Shield Final between St. Cloud and Faribault will also be played. All of the other finals will kick off next week.

Minnesota Boys Varsity Playoffs May 30