Class 6A

No. 3 Edina (7-2) at No. 2 Eagan (6-3), 7 p.m.

Eagan drew the highest-touted No. 3 seed in Class 6A, which also happened to beat the Wildcats in Week 1. So a tall task stands between Eagan and its first-ever state appearance. But as they showed earlier, the Wildcats can go toe-to-toe with anyone. OUR PICK: Edina 24, Eagan 21

No. 5 Prior Lake (5-4) at No. 1 Mounds View (7-2), 7 p.m.

Prior Lake’s record took a hit amid a grueling west metro schedule, but the Lakers have won four straight, including a convincing first-round win in Farmington. They’re for real. Which sets up an intriguing clash with a Mounds View team that has proven to be the best in the Metro East, with a stout defense and dynamic offense headed by dual-threat quarterback Jacob Sampson. Sampson will be the key Friday, because as good as the Mustangs’ defense has been, Mounds View may have to score alongside the Lakers just to keep up. OUR PICK: Mounds View 34, Prior Lake 31

No. 5 Champlin Park (4-5) at No. 1 Lakeville North (8-1), 7 p.m.

Dual-threat QB Preston Thielke was magic for the Rebels in their playoff-opening upset of East Ridge, and will present Lakeville North with some difficult questions to answer Friday. But Lakeville North’s offensive balance has flexed its muscle all season, and figures to be too much for the Rebels. If the Panthers don’t beat themselves with turnovers, they could make deep run. OUR PICK: Lakeville North 38, Champlin Park 20

No. 3 Lakeville South (6-3) at No. 2 Anoka (6-3), 7 p.m.

Peyton Podany has been dynamite at signal caller for Anoka, and makes the Tornadoes a threat in any game. But the way Lakeville South handled Wayzata last week, demonstrating a ground game dominance, suggests the Cougars may have found a different gear they needed to hit. OUR PICK: Lakeville South 35, Anoka 27

No. 3 Blaine (6-3) at No. 2 Forest Lake (7-2), 7 p.m.

Blaine quarterback Sam Shaughnessy had the game of a lifetime in the first round, running for 260 yards and three touchdowns, throwing for 167 and two scores, and also engineering the game-winning field goal drive at the end to edge Rosemount. But achieving similar success against Forest Lake, which has allowed just 20 points total over the past four weeks, will be a steep task. The Rangers are looking for their first state tournament appearance since 1991. OUR PICK: Forest Lake 21, Blaine 20

Class 5A

Section 3

No. 4 Apple Valley (4-6) at No. 2 St. Thomas Academy (6-3), 7 p.m.

St. Thomas Academy built a 46-7 lead through three quarters in an early-October matchup between these two teams. The Cadets’ rushing attack, led by Dominic Baez’s 135 yards and four scores, overwhelmed the Eagles. But if there’s a way to crack the Cadets, it’s through the air. So Apple Valley quarterback Jackson Thornburgh gives the Eagles a puncher’s chance. OUR PICK: St. Thomas Academy 35, Apple Valley 17

Section 4

No. 2 Tartan (5-5) vs. No. 1 Cretin-Derham Hall (5-4), at University of St. Thomas, 7 p.m.

Tartan has the weapons to make this interesting, including running back Jerror Borsay, who scored six times in the semifinal victory over Highland Park. But it’s tough to pick against the Raiders, who have won four straight, all in dominating fashion. A rematch of a Week 1 game won 34-6 by the Raiders. OUR PICK: Cretin-Derham Hall 34, Tartan 16

Section 6

No. 3 Spring Lake Park (4-5) at No. 1 Monticello (7-2), 7 p.m.

What a difference a week can make. The Panthers were losers of four of their last five heading into the playoffs, fresh off a disappointing loss to Mahtomedi. One upset of Rogers later, and Spring Lake Park is 48 minutes of football away from a state tournament berth. Friday’s game figures to be competitive, too, with two teams that prefer to run the ball dueling it out on the ground in a physical affair. Monticello won the regular-season meeting, 22-14. OUR PICK: Monticello 17, Spring Lake Park 14

Class 4A

Section 3

No. 2 Simley (5-4) at No. 1 Hill-Murray (9-1), 7 p.m.

Hat tip to Jackson Reeves, who is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the area. He has guided a dominant Pioneers offense. Hill Murray hasn’t scored fewer than 35 points in a game since Week 2. That includes a 49-14 win over the Spartans in late September. But six weeks later, Simley is healthier, now far more experienced and better positioned to give the Pioneers a true battle. OUR PICK: Hill-Murray 34, Simley 20

Wisconsin

Division 2

No. 4 Holmen (7-3) at No. 1 New Richmond (10-0), 7 p.m.

Joe Hoeppner ran for 274 yards and three scores on a season-high 35 carries in the Tigers’ Level 1 victory over Marshfield. He figures to be leaned on heavily throughout this playoff run, and the season-long results suggest he’s built for the moment. Our pick: New Richmond 42, Holmen 14

No. 3 Monona Grove (8-2) at No. 2 Rice Lake (8-2), 7 p.m.

Jacob Kunz threw for three scores and ran for 105 yards in the Warriors’ Level 1. Meanwhile, Monona Grove surrendered 31 points to Menomonie. Expect Rice Lake’s offense to produce at a high level this week to set up a rematch with New Richmond. Our pick: Rice Lake 44, Monona Grove 27

Division 4

No. 6 Ellsworth (7-3) at No. 2 Baldwin-Woodville (9-1), 7 p.m.

Ellsworth pulled an impressive upset of Mosinee in the first round and has a chance for another Friday. Because in the previous meeting between these two teams – a 32-15 victory for Baldwin-Woodville, the Warriors were propelled by two defensive touchdowns. Both teams struggled to move the ball. Should that hold true again, Ellsworth could remain in striking distance until crunch time, when anything can happen. Our pick: Baldwin-Woodville 17, Ellsworth 14

No. 4 Prescott (9-1) at No. 1 Freedom (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday

Freedom went to the air in its Level 1 win over St. Croix Central, with Drew Kortz throwing for 233 yards in a 28-7 victory. But throwing against the Cardinals’ skilled secondary is a losing proposition. Our pick: Prescott 27, Freedom 20

Division 7

No. 5 Glenwood City (7-3) at No. 1 Spring Valley (10-0), 7 p.m.

A rematch from two weeks ago, a 21-3 Spring Valley victory in which neither offense was overly successful, but Glenwood City averaged just 3.2 yards per carry. Our pick: Spring Valley 27, Glenwood City 7

-- Jace Frederick