Football Friday: Lakeville South vs. Lakeville North

(5-0, 5-0 South Suburban Conference) vs. (5-0, 4-0 South Suburban Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

• Mitch Leidner (Lakeville South - quarterback)

Leidner, a University of Minnesota recruit, has thrown for 919 yards, 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions this year. He was 16-of-26 for 195 yards and one score last week against Rosemount.

• Trent Bertamus (Lakeville South – wide receiver)

Trent had two catches for 49 yards last week against Rosemount after missing the first four games with a hamstring injury. The speedy senior adds another dimension to an already potent air attack with Matt Heller and Devin Bzoskie. Coach Larry Thompson said Trent may also play some in the
secondary.

• Brandon Morgan (Lakeville North – running back)

Brandon ran for 141 yards on 22 carries in last week’s win over Burnsville, upping his season totals to 79 carries for 357 yards. Not a big back, he’s tough inside, and coach Brian Vossen said he is easily the shiftiest guy on the team. A former slot receiver, Brandon has also got great hands.

• Kyrell Newell (Lakeville North – defensive back)

Kyrell will be among those counted on to slow down the passing attack that South likes to run. “He’s incredible in man-to-man coverage,” Vossen said.

COUGARS WIN IF ...

They run the ball better. Lakeville South gained just 31 yards on 25 carries last week against Rosemount. Defensively, they need to contain and put pressure on Lakeville North quarterback Trey Heid to keep him in the pocket and force him to throw the ball quicker than he would like. Coach Larry Thompson said the Cougars haven’t been tested through the air since early in the season. This should be a big week for the Cougars offensive line, as they must give Mitch Leidner time to find open receivers. He was sacked three times last week.

PANTHERS WIN IF ...

They start by hanging onto the football. North turned the ball over four times on its own side of midfield in a 17-14 win over Burnsville. If Lakeville North can establish a ground game, it should open things up for quarterback Trey Heid, who has thrown two scores in four straight games.
Defensively, the Panthers will need to blitz some and get pressure on the South quarterback to disrupt the flow of the Cougars passing game.

2-MINUTE DRILL

SITE: Lakeville North High School

TIME: 7 p.m. Friday

WEATHER: Partly Cloudy, 72 degrees

LAST MEETING: North beat South 14-3 during the regular season last year, but South got revenge with a 21-7 win in the section championship.

LAKEVILLE SOUTH SCHEDULE

Fri. Sept. 2     vs. Eagan               Fri. Sept. 9     @ Eastview            Fri. Sept. 16   vs. Apple Valley      W 45-6
Fri. Sept. 23   @ Bloomington Jefferson W 42-7
Fri. Sept. 30   vs. Rosemount        Fri. Oct. 7       @ Lakeville North
Fri. Oct. 14     vs. Prior Lake
Wed. Oct. 19 @ Burnsville

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
Wed. Oct. 19 @ Prior Lake