Football Friday: East Ridge at Stillwater

The Ponies need to regain some momentum, while the Raptors look to find some semblance of an offense after getting shut out for the second time in three weeks last Friday.

East Ridge (1-4, 1-4 Suburban East Conference) ; Stillwater (3-2, 3-2 SEC) fell to Mounds View 21-14.

Stillwater (Section 2, Class AAAAA)

The Ponies are in a section that uses a mathematical formula to determine seeding. The QRF system—short for Quality Results Formula—rates teams based on wins and losses, opponents' wins and losses, and class differential. So while the Ponies have one more loss than both Mounds View and White Bear Lake, they are currently second, behind Totino-Grace, in the section seedings.

East Ridge (Section 4, Class AAAAA)

Despite their 1-4 record, are currently the No. 4 seed. But with less than a point separating No. 3 Eagan and No. 5 Minneapolis South, that's hardly set in stone.

Nick Leach (East Ridge, running back)

Leach had 75 yards on 17 carries for the Raptors last Friday night.

Nate Ricci (Stillwater, quarterback, wide receiver)

Ricci was the starting QB for the Ponies until last week, when he moved to receiver and caught five passes for 102 yards.

Aaron Romportl (Stillwater, quarterback)

Ricci's replacement threw for 135 yards and a score, but also threw three interceptions.

They can score some points, something they haven't had much luck with so far. The Raptors have scored just 55 points in regulation in five games, and more than half of those came in on Sept. 9. There have been too many three-and-outs, resulting in the defense have to spend a lot more time on the field than it should. That trend has to change if the Raptors are going to be anything more than a one-and-done team in the post season.

Stillwater is only a game over .500 so far, but has a chance to go into the post season on a real roll. The Ponies' last three regular-season opponents—East Ridge, Roseville and Hastings—are a combined 4-11 on the season, and Stillwater will be a heavy favorite in all three games. Three wins will give them a high seed for the playoffs. Three decisive wins will give them a good seed and a whole bunch of momentum.

• Site: Stillwater Area High School
• Time: 7 p.m. Friday
• Weather Forecast: Mostly cloudy and 75
• Last Season: Friday is the first-ever meeting between the schools.

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

Friday, Oct. 7 at Stillwater, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14 at Park, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 19 vs. White Bear Lake, 7 p.m.

Sept. 2: STILLWATER 27, Woodbury 20

Sept. 9: Stillwater 17, WHITE BEAR LAKE 14

Sept. 16: Cretin-Derham Hall 34, STILLWATER 7

Sept. 23: Stillwater 27, FOREST LAKE 7

Sept. 30: MOUNDS VIEW 21, Stillwater 14

Friday, Oct. 7 vs. East Ridge, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14 at Roseville, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 19 vs. Hastings, 7 p.m.