State Football Playoff Preview: Lakeville North vs. Cretin-Derham Hall

(10-0, 8-0 South Suburban Conference) vs. Cretin-Derham Hall (10-0, 8-0 Suburban East Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

• Trey Heid (Lakeville North – quarterback/punter/kicker)

Trey was just 13-of-29 for 192 yards through the air in last week’s section win over Owatonna, but he threw two interceptions. He also led the team with 16 carries for 65 yards, made a field goal and had a punt that went about 70 yards. For the year, Trey has completed 58.8 percent of his passes for 1,957 yards and 18 touchdowns and ran for almost 500 yards.

• Charlie Hayes (Lakeville North – wide receiver)

Charlie had six catches for 100 yards against Owatonna, and had five catches for 75 yards in the section semifinal against Lakeville South. For the season, Charlie has 57 catches for 997 yards.

• James Onwualu (Cretin-Derham Hall – running back)

Taking over as the team’s primary back, James ran 15 times for 220 yards, including an 87-yard score, in the team’s section final win over Eagan. He also zigged and zagged for a 26-yard score and caught a 48-yard touchdown pass.

• Kendrik Brewster (Cretin-Derham Hall – running back)

The speedy halfback, who missed about half the Eagan game after an injury, still ran for 89 yards on 14 carries. He ran for 170 yards in the section semifinal, and exceeded the 100-yard rushing mark in five of the last six regular season games, averaging more than 8 yards per carry.

PANTHERS WIN IF ...

Its strong group of defensive linemen and linebackers are able to limit the yards of Cretin’s dual running threats, especially on first and second downs to force the Raiders into passing situations. Offensively, North will need to continue showing balance and must give Trey Heid time to make plays. The Panthers must win the turnover battle. Lakeville North cannot be awed by playing in the Metrodome and facing a team that is a perennial state entrant.

RAIDERS WIN IF ...

The defense, which allows just 7.4 points per game, keeps Heid contained in the pocket to reduce his opportunity for big gains on a quarterback keeper or by scrambling. The Raiders ran the ball for more than 400 yards last week against Eagan and, although they likely won’t duplicate that number, need to effectively run the ball to control the clock and keep the potent North offense off the field.

2-MINUTE DRILL

SITE: Metrodome

TIME: 5 p.m. Friday

WEATHER: 70 degrees with no wind.

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 

Fri. Nov. 4      vs. Owatonna        

Fri. Nov. 11    vs. Cretin-Derham Hall

CRETIN-DERHAM HALL SCHEDULE

Fri. Sept. 2     vs. East Ridge       W 27-0

Fri. Sept. 9     @ Mounds View     W 21-9

Fri. Sept. 16   @ Stillwater          W 34-7

Fri. Sept. 23   vs. Hastings          W 27-13

Fri. Sept. 30   vs. Park                W 55-7

Fri. Oct. 7       @ Forest Lake      W 35-6

Fri. Oct. 14     @ Woodbury         W 43-7

Wed. Oct. 19 vs. Roseville Area   W 34-0

Tues. Oct. 25       First Round Bye

Sat. Oct, 29    vs. East Ridge       W 44-13

Fri. Nov. 4      vs. Eagan             

Fri. Nov. 11    vs. Lakeville North