Lakeville Football Teams Open Season Against One Another

Football:  vs. 

CHEAT SHEET

SITE: South High School

TIME: 7:00 p.m. Thursday

ON THE LINE

Bragging rights are on the line in Week 1 of the 2012 campaign as South hosts North Thursday night. The Panthers, who conclued the 2011 season as the third-ranked team in Class AAAAA, swept the season series from South last year -- winning 30-6 in the regular season on Oct. 7 and 24-14 in the Section 1AAAAA playoff opener Oct. 29. Both of last season's games were played at North.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

North

Brandon Morgan, while listed as a wide receiver, led the Panthers' rushing attack last season as a junior, logging 523 yards and seven touchdowns on 132 carries. Entering his senior season, Morgan is also the team's returning pass-catcher, with 11 receptions for 80 yards and one score.

Senior linebacker Mitch Johnson led North with 100 tackles last season as a junior, while also amassing seven quarterback sacks, recovering five tackles while forcing three more and intercepting one pass. 

South

Senior running back Austin Britnell is the Cougars' top returning offensive player. As a junior, he was the team's second-leading rusher with 50 regular-season carries for 254 yards and three touchdowns. With one reception for 13 yards last season, he is also the leading returning receiver on the team.

On defense, seniors Ross Curran and Kyle Fatturi lead an overhauled unit. Curran, a defensive back, had 57 total tackles and one fumble recovery last year. Fatturi, a linebacker, had 44 total tackles and one forced fumble.

WHO WILL WIN

While North loses several key members of last year's offense, nine returning starters on defense should make all the difference in this battle versus a rebuilding South squad. All signs point to the Panthers winning the "Battle of Lakeville" once again.