Football Tuesday: Lakeville South vs. Rochester Mayo

(6-2, 6-2 South Suburban Conference) vs. Rochester Mayo (6-2, 5-2 Big Nine Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

• Mitch Leidner (Lakeville South – quarterback)

Mitch was 15-of-25 for 268 yards and five touchdowns against Burnsville last week. He is averaging nearly 182 yards per game through the air this season. Mitch even played some defense against the Blaze.

• Matt Heller (Lakeville South – wide receiver)

“Unbelievable” is the word coach Larry Thompson used to describe Matt’s performance last week against Burnsville: 10 receptions for 218 yards and four touchdowns. He also scored a rushing touchdown. On the season Matt has 48 catches for 820 yards (17.1 yard average) and 11 touchdowns.

• Nate Penz (Rochester Mayo – quarterback)

Nate was 19-of-35 for 230 yards and one touchdown in last week’s 22-21 upset of previously unbeaten Owatonna. However, he threw three interceptions.

• Zachary Rhodes (Rochester Mayo – wide receiver)

Zachary had seven catches for 106 yards last week, including a 51-yarder to set up a field goal.

COUGARS WIN IF ...

They continue to play with the confidence that was reestablished with last week’s rout at Burnsville. The first-team offense was able to move up and down the field at will, and the first-string defense allowed just one first down. Coach Larry Thompson and the Cougars are in disbelief that Lakeville South is seeded behind three teams from the weaker Big Nine Conference who have played a lot of Class 4A teams, and even a 3A team.

“We shouldn’t have to go on the road in round one,” Thompson said. With a win, Lakeville South would face Lakeville North in Saturday’s section semifinal, but Thompson knows his team cannot be looking ahead. The Panthers beat the Cougars lost to 30-6 less than three weeks ago.

SPARTANS WIN IF ...

It can use its passing game to score a lot of points. Rochester Mayo has given up an average of 23.9 points this year, including 34.3 in its past three games against the toughest opponents on its schedule. Its defense will have to be better than that against a high-powered South offense. The Mayo offense must have a better start.

The Spartans needed 16 fourth-quarter points to rally for a 22-21 win last week, and had lost its prior two games to Mankato West, the top-ranked team in Class 4A, and Rochester John Marshall by a combined 81-21. The Spartans turned the ball over five times last week. If they do that again, the players will likely be turning in equipment on Wednesday.

2-MINUTE DRILL

SITE: Rochester Mayo High School

TIME: 7 p.m. Tuesday

WEATHER: Cloudy, 51 degrees

LAST MEETING: Lakeville South won 40-14 at Mayo in the 2008 section semifinals.

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

ROCHESTER MAYO SCHEDULE

Fri. Sept. 2 vs. Farmington            W 35-28

Fri. Sept. 9     @ Rochester Century W 28-14

Fri. Sept. 16   @ Mankato East      W 41-14

Fri. Sept. 23   vs. Winona             W 40-6                      

Fri. Sept. 30   vs. Austin               W 54-19                    

Fri. Oct. 7       @ Mankato West    L 49-14                      

Fri. Oct. 14     @ Rochester JM      L 32-7                        

Wed. Oct. 19 @ Owatonna            W 22-21

Tues. Oct. 25  vs. Lakeville South