EP 100: Keeping it 100 talking Prep Bowl & the Start of HS Hockey with the Star Trib’s David La Vaque!

David La Vaque, a prep sportswriter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, makes a record sixth appearance on the 100th episode after appearing as the first-ever guest back in the Fall of 2021!

The guys come off their Thanksgiving food coma to first recap an exciting slate of Prep Bowl Championships from the weekend, starting with Centennial grabbing their first-ever title in school history as they captured the Class 6A crown! Starting at (), they recap Chanhassen’s storybook season, going to overtime for a second consecutive week in a matchup of premier running backs in the State. Finally at (), they discuss Class 4A and down, including Hutchinson’s annual Minneapolis invasion of black & gold, a record-breaking performance from Minneota in the Class A title, and a controversial refereeing decision in the 9-man title game.

To close the show, La Vaque, one of the definitive auhorities on high school hockey and the co-author of “Tourney Time: Stories from the Minnesota Boys Hockey State Tournament” discusses preaseason favorites in the prep landscape on the ice (). Discussed is Minnetonka’s embarassment of riches committed to the Division 1 level, challengers to the Skippers in Class AA, and standout results from Thanksgiving tournament action. They also discuss some girls hockey preseason favorites at () to close the show.

EP 99: Sinking our Teeth into a Prep Bowl FEAST with Channel 45’s Chris Ohm

Chris Ohm, one of the voices of Channel 45’s coverage of the Prep Bowl and the Assistant Director of the Upper School at Breck, makes his second appearance on the podcast to help preview this weekend’s slate of seven State Football Championship games at the Bank!

After some brief introductions, the guys dive into last week’s Class 6A Semifinal games, starting with a physical battle that saw senior quarterback Daylen Cummings lead Centennial to their first championship game appearance in 39 years over Lakeville South (5:33). Starting at (15:18), they break down Edina’s upset win over previously unbeaten Eden Prairie, and speculate how the Hornets’ deep ball threats of Sonny Villegas and Meyer Swinney might match up against a formidable Cougar secondary.

Moving to Class 5A at (27:28), Chris talks about St. Thomas Academy’s come-from-behind win over previously undefeated Alexandria, and places Savion Hart in his upper echolon of running backs in the State. Next, the guys talk about Chanhassen’s thrilling overtime victory at (30:48), and preview their upcoming match with STA in a battle of two of the top running backs in Minnesota.

They also preview the Class 4A title game between perennial U.S. Bank residents Hutchinson and Rocori at (37:30), and discuss favorites and standout teams and players from Class 3A all the way down to 9-man football beginning at (40:15).

EP 98: A Prep Bowl Bank Heist Preview with KARE 11’s Craig Norkus!

The co-host of KARE 11’s Prep Preview show, Craig Norkus makes his second appearance on the podcast this year to help the guys set up the State Football Semifinals in Class 6A, 5A, and beyond this week!

They start by breaking down all four quarterfinal matchups in the large school division from last week, starting with Craig’s impressions of an impressive Edina win over Stillwater on Thursday night. He talks sophomore QB Mason West and all the weapons the Hornets have available in their impending matchup with Eden Prairie this week (3:32). They also talk Eden Prairie’s dominance in the trenches over North (10:43), including some bullet point board material that the podcast fired up the Eagles with last week. Also discussed is Centennial’s dominant display of revenge from last year’s quarterfinal loss to Rosemount (18:25), and Lakeville South’s dramtic finish to knock off East Ridge and punch their ticket back to U.S. Bank Stadium (25:00).

They discuss Class 5A starting at (28:25), including a matchup worthy of a State Championship game, and talk Gopher commit Koi Perich and some of the teams involved in the Class 4A and Class 3A tourneys this week in Minneapolis at (38:16).

EP 97: Making a STATEment with Chanhassen Football Coach Cullen Nelson; the State Tourney Preview Show!

Matt, Logan, and Bill preview the upcoming Class 6A and 5A State Football Tournaments, starting with an interview with the head football coach of the Chanhassen Storm, who moved to 10-0 with a win over No. 2 ranked Mankato West to punch their first-ever ticket to State on Friday (2:55)! Coach Nelson discusses the Storm’s come-from-behind victory, Mr. Football frontrunner Maxwell Woods, and his team’s matchup Saturday against Mahtomedia in the State Quarterfinals.

Starting at (29:24), the guys move on to Class 6A and recap all the action from Friday night, including upset wins by East Ridge and Edina. They preview every State Quarterfinal matchup before making their predicitons at (48:03).

Finally, Logan recaps a compelling volleyball Section Final from Saturday and Bill talks Prior Lake’s D-line tradition in the “notes from the field” to close the show (54:29)