Some area football notes

The Pierz Pioneers football team is 32-1 in the past six seasons on their home football field. They have never lost a post-season game at the Pierz field in the last six years. They will host West Central Area (who beat the Jaguars 20-7 in Week 1) for the Section 6AA opener next Tuesday night. The Pioneers have the #2 seed, while the Knights (4-4) are seeded #7. WCA was snakebitten in their regular season finale 12-6 to the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines, who went 0-7 before their upset win against the Knights.

Had WCA defeated W-DC, the Knights would've had the #6 seed and traveled to Osakis (the #3 seed) for the opener.

Quite a difference, huh?

On paper, Osakis is 7-1 and Pierz is 7-1...but I'd say Pierz is 10 times tougher!

Yeh I'm biased, of course, hoping for success of Central Minnesota Conference teams.

In Section 4AA, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted has the #3 seed, with Maple Lake ranked #4. Kimball Area is rated #5, and they travel to Maple Lake for the 4AA quarterfinals. HL-W-W hosts a really bad St.Paul Humboldt team (the #6 seed).

And now, a story on the Upsala-Swanville Area vs. Royalton football game that's set for the Section 6A opener next week in Upsala.

Playoffs give us gift of Royalton v. USA part two
Matt Perkins
Morrison County Record sports reporter

Its reputation preceded itself, and it did not disappoint. USA won, last minute, 7-6.

I described it as one of the best high school football games, if not the best, I have ever seen.

And now, football fans are about to get a second dose of Royalton vs. USA.

While Tuesday night's first round of the playoffs bring plenty of great match-ups, including Pierz hosting West Central and Little Falls traveling to Rocori, I find myself licking my chops over the thought of another helping of Royals vs. Patriots.

Without taking away anything from other area football programs, this particular match-up always impresses because both teams have it all:

Hard-hitting linebackers, agile pass rushers and, overall, defensive-minded football teams - check. Athletic offenses fueled by speed more than size - check. Coaches that coach a team up, year after year, despite graduating talent - check. Superstar athletes - check.

I mean anyone who has watched them this season will tell you, Royalton's Zach Lanners and USA's Brandon Welinski are worth the price of admission. While Welinski is the run-first quarterback in the Patriots' wildcat-like offense, thus he touches the ball every play on offense, Lanners might as well be seen the same way. Even if the Royals don't hand it off or pass it to Lanners, opposing defenses are forced to assume he will touch the ball. That's just how talented Lanners is, explaining why the kid is getting feelers from schools like USC and Notre Dame.

But, most of all, this match-up comes down to the fans in the stands who travel to support their small town teams. It is the fans that create an atmosphere that leaves us sportswriters thinking after a great game, "I can't believe I just got paid to watch that."

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

I don't have the guts to pick a winner between the Royals and the Patriots. But in Pierz, look for the Pioneers to continue its home field successes. And how about a fairy tale trip to state for the Little Falls Flyers? At least a first round win.

PREDICTION - Pierz over West Central, 38-7; Little Falls limits Rocori's passing offense in a 16-14 win for the Flyers.