Football Playoff Preview: Lakeville South vs. Lakeville North

(7-2, 6-2 South Suburban Conference) vs. (8-0, 7-0 South Suburban Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

• Mitch Leidner (Lakeville South - quarterback)

The University of Minnesota recruit completed 11 of 28 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns in Tuesday’s section quarterfinal win over Rochester Mayo. He threw for 1,454 yards and 17 touchdowns in the regular season. He was intercepted six times.

• Trent Bertamus (Lakeville South – wide receiver)

The speedy senior quickly atoned for an error on a kickoff by scoring on a 99-yard reception in Tuesday’s quarterfinal win. He also returned a fumble 12 yards for a score. Trent missed the first four games of the season with a bum hamstring.

• Trey Heid (Lakeville North – quarterback)

The scrambling senior threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns last time out. He also ran for a team-best 51 yards. On the year, he’s thrown for 1,631 yards and 16 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He’s also rushed for 322 yards.

• Alex Wood, Josh Robinson, Mitch Johnson and Austin Streit (Lakeville North – inside linebackers)

Depending on which two are in the game, they and the defensive line will need to stop the Lakeville South running game and force the Cougars to throw because North is confident in its coverage abilities. Coach Brian Vossen believes that if the running game is stopped it will open up some opportunities for the Panthers to get good pressure on the South quarterback.

COUGARS WIN IF ...

After a rough stretch on and off the field late in the regular season, the good vibes from crushing two inferior opponents needs to carry over. The South offensive line will have to give quarterback Mitch Leidner time to find his receivers against a defense that is good at disguising its looks. Defensively, the Cougars will need to have a strong rush and keep the North quarterback from scrambling.

PANTHERS WIN IF ...

They get good pressure on the Lakeville South quarterback and are able to control the ball on offense. “If our guys stay calm and play our game we should be OK,” said coach Brian Vossen. The top-seeded Panthers should benefit from not having to play a first-round game and enjoying five days without practice.

2-MINUTE DRILL

SITE: Lakeville North High School

TIME: 7 p.m. Saturday

WEATHER: Clear, 48 degrees

LAST MEETING: North beat South 30-6 on Oct. 7. In 2010, North beat South 14-3 during the regular season, but South got revenge with a 21-7 win in the section championship.

LAKEVILLE SOUTH SCHEDULE

Fri. Sept. 2     vs. Eagan                

Fri. Sept. 9     @ Eastview             

Fri. Sept. 16   vs. Apple Valley       W 45-6

Fri. Sept. 23   @ Bloomington Jefferson W 42-7

Fri. Sept. 30   vs. Rosemount        

Fri. Oct. 7       @ Lakeville North   

Fri. Oct. 14     vs. Prior Lake          L 28-6

Wed. Oct. 19 @ Burnsville            

Tues. Oct. 25 @Rochester Mayo   

Sat. Oct. 29    @ Lakeville North

LAKEVILLE NORTH SCHEDULE

Thur. Sept. 1 vs. Eastview                        

Fri. Sept. 9     @ Apple Valley                   W 45-19

Fri. Sept. 16   vs. Edina                            

Fri. Sept. 23   @ Rosemount                     

Fri. Sept. 30   vs. Burnsville                      

Fri. Oct. 7       vs. Lakeville South             

Fri. Oct. 14     @ Bloomington Kennedy  W 35-7

Wed. Oct. 19 @ Prior Lake                         W 21-3

Tues. Oct. 25 First Round Bye

Sat. Oct. 29    vs. Lakeville South