Football Friday: East Ridge at Park

The finally get a breather this week against a Park team that has struggled both offensively and defensively all season. There's no such thing as a gimme—especially if you're 1-5—but this is one East Ridge should get.

East Ridge (1-5, 1-5 Suburban East Conference) ; Park (0-6, 0-6 SEC) got blasted 54-12 by Hastings.

East Ridge (Section 4AAAAA)

If the Raptors win this one and upset White Bear Lake next Wednesday, they would likely grab the coveted third seed, which would mean a first-round home game and a potential trip to in the semifinals. Their other options aren't nearly as attractive and involve opening the playoffs on the road, potentially having to face Cretin in the semis, or both.

Park (Section 4AAAAA)

The Wolfpack is all but locked into the seventh position in the seven-team section and a first-round trip to Woodbury. To avoid that fate they need a win this week, because next week they wrap up the regular season against a tough Mounds View team.

Nick Leach (East Ridge, running back)

Leach was the Raptors' leading ground-gainer against Stillwater, rushing for 69 yards on 15 carries.

Luke Misna (East Ridge, receiver)

Misna led the Raptors with four catches for 66 yards last week.

Dylan Smallidge (Park, running back)

Smallidge rushed for a season-high 154 yards against Hastings, giving him 558 yards and through six games.

They can finally get their offense going against the suspect Park defense. East Ridge has scored more than 10 points just once in six tries this season, and has been held to six points or fewer four times, including their last two games. If that doesn't change against a Park defensive unit that's allowing 47.8 ppg., it never will.

They can forget they're 0-6. Losing six straight—all by more than two touchdowns—can take a huge toll, and if the Wolfpack carry that baggage onto the field with them Friday night, that streak will likely continue. But they're facing a team that's struggled on offense all season—one 34-point outburst aside—that isn't exactly riding a wave of confidence into this game itself.

• Site: Park High School
• Time: 7 p.m. Friday
• Weather Forecast: Mostly clear, 52 and windy
• Last Season: East Ridge 41, Park 11

EAST RIDGE SCHEDULE

Sept. 2: CRETIN-DERHAM HALL 27, East Ridge 6
Sept. 9: EAST RIDGE 28, Forest Lake 10
Sept. 16: Mounds View 17, EAST RIDGE 0
Sept. 23: WOODBURY 35, East Ridge 34 (2OT)
Sept. 30 Hastings 9, EAST RIDGE 0
Oct. 7: STILLWATER 33, East Ridge 6
Friday, Oct. 14 at Park, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 19 vs. White Bear Lake, 7 p.m.

PARK COTTAGE GROVE SCHEDULE

Sept. 2: FOREST LAKE 53, Park 36
Sept. 9: ROSEVILLE 48, Park 23
Sept. 16: Woodbury 49, PARK 13
Sept. 23: White Bear Lake 48, PARK 7
Sept. 30: CRETIN-DERHAM HALL 55, Park 7
Oct. 7: HASTINGS 34, Park 14
Friday, Oct. 14 vs. East Ridge, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 19 vs. Mounds View, 7 p.m.