Football Wednesday: Lakeville North vs. Prior Lake

(7-0, 6-0 South Suburban Conference) vs. Prior Lake (5-2, 5-1 South Suburban Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

• Charlie Hayes (Lakeville North – wide receiver)

Charlie had eight catches for 185 yards last week, many on bubble screens that he turned into big gains. Coach Brian Vossen said Charlie is fast, shifty, doesn’t drop balls, doesn’t get rattled and is good at adjusting his route to find an opening.

• Michael Koloski (Lakeville North - cornerback)

Vossen said that anytime Bloomington Kennedy tried to run around his end last week, Michael was there to make the stop. The speedy senior could be busy again this week against a team that likes to run and then run some more.

• Jack Kaiser (Prior Lake– running back)

The senior is the focal point of the Lakers offense. He’s quick, shifty and a threat to break a long run any time he touches the ball.

• Karmichael Dunbar (Prior Lake – defensive lineman)

The D-I recruit will need to clog the middle to slow down the Panthers running options, and he’ll need to get pressure on North’s quarterback to force him out of the pocket.

PANTHERS WIN IF ...

They play on offense like they have in recent weeks by effectively mixing the run and pass. Because Prior Lake likes to run a lot of misdirection plays, the Panthers’ defenders must stay in their lanes to suffocate the Prior Lake rushing attack. “It’ll be a lot of just doing your job and don’t over-pursue,” said coach Brian Vossen. With a win, the fourth-ranked Panthers will be conference champions and will likely get the top seed in sections and a first-round bye. “These kids deserve the top seed,” Vossen said.

LAKERS WIN IF ...

Its defense needs to have another outstanding game. The Lakers allowed just 14 points to Eagan two weeks ago and dominated Lakeville South last week, allowing just six points. The Prior Lake offense will need to effectively run its ball-control, time-eating offense to keep the Panthers offense off the field.

2-MINUTE DRILL

SITE: Prior Lake High School

TIME: 7 p.m. Wednesday

WEATHER: Partly cloudy, 40 degrees

LAST MEETING: Lakeville North won 16-15 at home last season.

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

PRIOR LAKE SCHEDULE

Thur. Sept. 1 vs. Wayzata                     Fri. Sept. 9     @ Bloomington Jefferson  W 43-7
Fri. Sept. 16   vs. Rosemount                 L 13-6
Fri. Sept. 23   @ Burnsville                    Fri. Sept. 30   @ Bloomington Kennedy   W 30-13
Fri. Oct. 7       vs. Eagan                        Fri. Oct. 14     @ Lakeville South            W 28-6
Wed. Oct. 19 vs. Lakeville North