Football Friday: Lakeville North vs. Apple Valley

Lakeville North (1-0, 1-0 South Suburban Conference) vs. Apple Valley (0-1, 0-0 South Suburban Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

• A.J. Miller, Mike Manikowski, Aaron Baker, Zach Ziemer and Zach Blake (Lakeville North – offensive line)

The front five for the Panthers showed its speed and strength throughout a week one win against Eastview, opening big holes for Isaac Sandberg and Brandon Morgan, while giving Trey Heid time to set up in the pocket. Lakeville North ran for 185 yards and threw for 224.

• Kyrel Newell (Lakeville North - cornerback)

The junior had some great pass breakups in last week’s win over Eastview, and had an interception negated by a tough pass interference call. He should be busy against a team that likes to throw the ball.

• Matt Thomas (Apple Valley – quarterback)

Matt will need to effectively run the spread offense and get the ball to different receivers and tight end/H-back Grant Christian in order to open up running avenues for Dom McDew-Stauffer and Garrett Ganskie. He’ll have one less target because junior WR Steve Wilson, who had a stellar sophomore season, broke his collarbone and could be done for the season.

• Tyler See (Apple Valley – defensive lineman)

Coach Mike Fritzie said the junior was one of the few Eagle defenders to have a good week one. Despite being just 180 pounds, Tyler held his own throughout the game and was good at filling gaps, taking up space and not getting pushed off the ball.

PANTHERS WIN IF ...

They continue to effectively mix the run and the pass on offense. On defense they need to keep the Apple Valley quarterback guessing with different looks and a solid blitz, providing little time for the Eagle receivers to get deep.

EAGLES WIN IF ...

They do a better job of attacking the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Apple Valley cannot waste plays with botched snaps, something that happened six times in week one, including four times in the shotgun formation.

2-MINUTE DRILL

SITE: Apple Valley High School

TIME: 7 p.m. Friday

WEATHER: Clear, 76 degrees

LAST MEETING: Lakeville North won 27-19 last season in week two.

LAKEVILLE NORTH SCHEDULE

Thur. Sept. 1 vs. Eastview                          Fri. Sept. 9     @ Apple Valley       
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
Wed. Oct. 19 @ Prior Lake

APPLE VALLEY SCHEDULE

Thur. Sept. 1 @ Hopkins                            Fri. Sept. 9     vs. Lakeville North  
Fri. Sept. 16   @ Lakeville South  
Fri. Sept. 23   vs. Eagan
Fri. Sept. 30   @ Eastview
Fri. Oct. 7       @ Rosemount
Fri. Oct. 14     vs. Bloomington Jefferson
Wed. Oct. 19 vs. Bloomington Kennedy