Minnesota state semifinal predictions

CLASS 2A

Kimball (11-0) vs. Jackson County Central (11-0), 9 a.m.

Jackson County Central has been the more dominant team throughout the season, while Kimball has played the better schedule. In what figures to be a tightly-contested battle, it’s tough not to pick the more battle-tested team.

OUR PICK: Kimball 24, Jackson County Central 22

Staples-Motley (11-0), vs. Chatfield (11-0), 4:30 p.m.

Chatfield required a go-ahead touchdown and extra point with 74 seconds to play to win its state quarterfinal 23-22 over Triton. And Staples-Motley required double overtime to beat Barnesville on a 2-point conversion, 46-44. The elite class of Class 2A is only growing, leading to a number of classics throughout the state tournament. Expect another one here.

OUR PICK: Chatfield 27, Staples-Motley 24

CLASS 4A

Orono (9-2) vs. Totino-Grace (11-0), 11:30 a.m.

A rematch of a game won 11-8 by Totino-Grace last month. The reason to like the Eagles on Friday is not the narrow victory, but the fact they found the only true offensive success in that contest, with Marquel Keten running for 131 yards on the ground. If that’s repeatable, advantage Totino-Grace.

OUR PICK: Totino-Grace 17, Orono 7

CLASS 5A

Chanhassen (8-3) vs. Elk River (10-1), 2 p.m.

These two teams met back in Week 1, with the Elks averaging nearly 10 yards per carry en route to a 440-yard rushing performance and a 44-22 victory. But Chanhassen was fresh off a state title and working in a bunch of new faces who were learning what it takes to compete at that level. The Storm figure to be better equipped to put up a fight defensively this time around. But have they closed the gap enough over the last two and a half months?

OUR PICK: Elk River 38, Chanhassen 28

CLASS 6A

Maple Grove (11-0) vs. Shakopee (10-1), 7:30 p.m.

Shakopee is the next elite West Metro challenger being thrown into the ring in an attempt to take down the Crimson, who are in the midst of an impressively dominant playoff run against a gantlet of perceived title contenders. The return of running back Charles Langama in the postseason gave the Crimson an explosiveness that seems to leave Maple Grove weakness-free.

OUR PICK: Maple Grove 28, Shakopee 14

Wisconsin state semifinal predictions

DIVISION 2

Rice Lake (10-2) vs. West De Pere (11-1), at Marshfield High School, 7 p.m.

Each of these teams avenged regular season defeats in the section finals. Both play against Division-1 foes throughout the campaign. Rice Lake is a Division-3 program — the defending state champion at that level — moved up a class this season by Wisconsin’s governing body as part of a “competitive balance” program. It hasn’t phased the Warriors yet. As was the case last week against New Richmond, Rice Lake will face another school this week with nearly 400 more students than it possesses.

OUR PICK: West De Pere 31, Rice Lake.27

DIVISION 4

Baldwin-Woodville (11-1) vs. Winnecome (12-0), at Medford High School, 7 p.m.

Duel-threat quarterback Gavin Sell tallied six total touchdowns to power Baldwin-Woodville back from a 13-point first-half deficit against Freedom last week. Sell finished with 132 yards and four scores through the air, while also rushing for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Taden Holldorf was equally dominant on the ground, compiling 180 yards and a score of his own. Friday will be an epic showdown between Sell and Winnecome quarterback Brody Schaffer, who has 1,542 yard and 15 touchdowns this season through the air, and 1,633 yards and a whopping 31 scores on the ground. May the best signal caller win.

OUR PICK: Baldwin-Woodville 42, Winnecome 39

DIVISION 7

Boyceville (11-1) vs. Edgar (11-1), at Chippewa Falls High School, 7 p.m.

Boyceville imposed its will against conference rival Spring Valley in the section final, running for 246 yards. That level of physicality will serve it well against an Edgar team that also thrives off a dominant running game. The two-headed rushing attack of Zach Hellendrung and Carson Roemhild could push the Bulldogs into the state final.

OUR PICK: Boyceville 20, Edgar 14

— Jace Frederick