Centennial middle linebacker Luke Metcalf, left top, celebrates with his teammates after they defeated Lakeville South 20-13 in a Class 6A semifinal game in the State Football Tournament at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Craig Lassig / Special to the Pioneer Press)
A look at Friday’s high school football championship games at U.S. Bank Stadium. Finals in the other classes will be played on Saturday.
CLASS 6A
Centennial (11-1) vs. Edina (9-3), 7 p.m.
A fitting championship matchup in Minnesota’s largest-schools division, these have been the two best teams in Class 6A over the past two months. It’s fun to see two fresh faces on such a stage. This is the Cougars’ first trip to the title game since 1984. For Edina, it’s the Hornets’ first championship game since Edina West won it all in 1978. Edina’s multi-faceted offense has served as a riddle no opponent could solve, not even Eden Prairie last week. The Hornets’ early scores prevented Eden Prairie from taking control of the game with ball possession. Centennial will look for a better start than the Eagles to allow its physicality to truly take hold. OUR PICK: Centennial 22, Edina 21
CLASS 4A
Rocori (10-2) vs. Hutchinson (10-2), 4 p.m.
Two rivals from the same dominant subdistrict that seems to churn out title contenders year after year face off in a rematch of a September battle won 11-0 by Rocori. Both teams fell to Simley at U.S. Bank Stadium a year ago — Rocori in the semis, and Hutchinson in the Prep Bowl. So whoever emerges victorious Friday will feel a form of vengeance, as well. Hutchinson has been dominant in its victories for much of the season, but there’s something about Rocori’s ability to reel off close victories that’s intriguing in what figures to be a highly-competitive contest. OUR PICK: Rocori 17, Hutchinson 14
CLASS 2A
Barnesville (13-0) vs. Eden Valley-Watkins (12-0), 1 p.m.
Barnesville has won 26 straight games and is in search of its second consecutive state championship. Eden Valley-Watkins has won every game this season by double digits. What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? We’re about to find out. OUR PICK: Eden Valley-Watkins 27, Barnesville 24
CLASS A
Springfield (12-1) vs. Minneota (13-0), 10 a.m.
A rematch of last year’s Class A title game, won 38-21 by Minneota. Minneota dominated in the trenches that day, and has utilized a similar formula this season to achieve its success. Ryan Meagher has rushed for more than 2,000 yards on 10-plus yards a carry. Springfield plays with a different style, with star quarterback Jakob Nachreiner throwing for 3,205 yards and 52 scores this season. OUR PICK: Minneota 28, Springfield 27
