Football Friday: Stillwater Hosts Woodbury in Season Opener

LAST SEASON

Stillwater (9-2, 7-1 Suburban East Conference); Woodbury (4-6, 3-5 Suburban East Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

—Nate Ricci (Stillwater, receiver/returner)

Was the Ponies' leading receiver a year ago, and also returns kicks and punts.

—Connor McKeen (Woodbury, WR/DB)

Led the league in receptions and was second in receiving yards last season.

—Junius Wilson (Woodbury, running back)

Was among the league leaders in all-purpose yards, rushing yards and kick return yards as a junior.

—Beau LaBore (Stillwater, coach)

LaBore left Woodbury after five years to become the Ponies' new head coach this season, which sets the stage for an interesting scenario Friday.

ROYALS WIN IF …

Woodbury finds itself in the enviable position of having the majority of its starters back on both sides of the football, and nowhere will that experience be more valuable than in the season opener.

PONIES WIN IF …

Stillwater averaged fewer than 15 points per game allowed last season, and will need a stingy effort from that unit to keep McKeen and Wilson in check.

TWO-MINUTE DRILL
SITE: Stillwater High School
TIME: 7 p.m. Friday
WEATHER FORECAST: Overcast and 85, with some stray thunderstorms
LAST MEETING: Stillwater crushed Woodbury 35-7 last season.

WOODBURY SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 2 at Stillwater, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 9 vs. Hastings, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 16 at Park, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23 vs. East Ridge, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30 at White Bear Lake, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 7 vs. Roseville, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 14 vs. Cretin-Derham Hall, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 19 at Forest Lake, 7 p.m.

STILLWATER SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 2 vs. Woodbury, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 9 at White Bear Lake, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 16 vs. Cretin-Derham Hall, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23 at Forest Lake, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30 at Mounds View, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 7 at East Ridge, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 14 at Roseville, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 19 vs. Hastings, 7 p.m.