It's the boys turn to begin playoffs. Let's see where each of our local teams will play, as well as when and who.
Section 5A
East Central #2 seed 16-9, 9-2 Section record
The Eagles won the conference title this year after beating Pine City twice. They'll host Braham on Thursday, a team they've played and beat twice. But it's always hard to beat a team three times in one season.
Ogilvie #6 seed 7-18, 4-8 Section record
The Lions will be a team to watch. They didn't have the record they would've liked but have played tough all year long. They could be one of the teams who claim an upset in the first round. They'll travel to Otsego Minnesota on Thursday to play Kaleidoscope Charter School at 7pm.
Braham #7 seed 9-17, 5-7 Section record
The Bombers had a tough start to the season starting 1-6. But made some noise in the back half of the schedule. They also ended the season on a three game win streak. They'll look to keep the streak going on Thursday as they play East Central in round 1.
Mille Lacs #9 seed 1-24, 0-14 Section record
The Raiders may have only won a single game this year but they played a tough schedule. They're hoping that tough schedule has prepared them for a playoff run. They'll head to St. John's Prep for a play in game tonight at 7pm.
Section 6AA
Mora #2 seed 22-4, 10-3 Section record
The Mustangs came into the year one of the favorites from this section to make a deep playoff run. At the season's end it proves to be the same. This team has shown they have the defense to stop anyone, and the offense to score plenty. They may have played in their share of close games but they almost seem comfortable and confident in doing so. They will host Holdingford on Thursday at 7pm.
Milaca #3 seed 20-6, 12-3 Section record
The Wolves were one of the few teams to beat Mora this year. Their first game was on OT loss the 2nd was a win at Mora. The Wolves are another team favored to make a deep playoff push. They'll host Kimball on Thursday at 7pm.
Foley #10 seed 10-15, 4-12 Section record
Playing in one of if not the toughest section in Class AA is tough, but the Falcons are tougher. Their record may not be what they'd hope for but this team has built and learned from the gauntlet schedule they played. It wouldn't shock anyone if they beat Melrose on Thursday and even made a push to the section championship.
Pine City #11 seed 13-13, 4-3 Section record
The Dragons had an up and down year, which may be stating the obvious looking at their record. But that's why this team can't be overlooked. They played one of the toughest schedules they've played in recent memory. They'll take all they have learned and put it to test on Thursday in Annandale at 7pm.
Rush City #13 12-12, 1-7 Section record
The Tigers are yet another team you can't count out. This team plays tremendous defense and when they have you on the ropes they come back with the knockout punch. Their offense can keep them in games as well, with three's or from underneath. They'll be in Sauk Centre on Thursday.
Section 7AA
Hinckley-Finlayson #10 seed 12-14, 2-5 Section record
This Jaguars team is going to surprise any team they face in the playoffs. They've beat the GRC champs by double digits, as well as Pine City and Barnum late in the year. They'll play a team they saw earlier in the season. They'll play the Gobblers in Aitkin tomorrow night at 6pm.
Section 5AAA
Princeton #1 seed 21-5, 10-1 Section record
No surprise to see the Tigers right back at the top of the section as the #1 seed again. They returned a good chunk of players from last year and look to make another run at state. As the top seed they'll await the winner of Becker and Zimmerman on Friday at 6pm.
Section 7AAA
North Branch #2 seed 14-12, 4-1 Section record
The Vikings got out to a hot start this season. But a tough stretch saw them lose 6 straight games, 3 of them in OT. They'll await the winner of Duluth Denfeld and Hibbing on Friday.
Section 7AAAA
Cambridge-Isanti 17-9, 5-1 Section record
The Bluejackets play in a tough section where anyone of the teams could head to state. C-I will look to punch their ticket to state this time around. They'll host Forest Lake on Wednesday at 7pm.
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