It’s State Tourney week for prep football and volleyball! On the 56th episode of the podcast, Matt, Logan, and Bill welcome in third-time guest Jim Paulsen, a prep sportswriter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune! Before Jim joins the show, the guys catch you up on the 6A football playoff 2nd round, including but not limited to Stillwater going to the ground for an impressive rout of Lakeville North (7:39), East Ridge upending Prior Lake in the suprise of the week (15:50), and a compelling rematch between Eden Prairie and Shakopee on Thursday after convincing wins by the Sabers and Eagles to get back to State (21:27). They also talk about 5A State Tourney predictions as heavyweights St. Thomas Academy, Mankato West, and Elk River all get set for an exciting field of eight!

Interview with Jim Paulsen starts at (23:59). First discussed is storylines in State Volleyball at “the X” this week. Football conversation starts at (41:32), including in-person impressions of potential Mr. Football Carson Hansen, and Paulsen’s predictions for this week’s quarterfinals in 6A and 5A!

Before a conversation with Eagan football coach Nick Johnson to break down Eagan’s road upset of Shakopee, Matt, Logan, & Bill are back to react to the 6A football bracket release (6:05)! They key in on favorable draws for Shakopee and Centennial & discuss the ins & outs of an exciting first-round coming up Friday. Discussed are where the tough seeding decisions were made for Forest Lake, Woodbury, Minnetonka and others (17:37) and the best games to watch for in the first-round, including a compelling 4 vs 5-seed bout in Minnetonka this week (24:03). Finally, they make their predictions on who will reach the State Semis (27:03).

To close the show, they also talk volleyball section playoffs and Bill’s thoughts on the 5A playoff field!

Interview with Nick Johnson starts at (40:47).

Before a conversation with Walt Weaver, the now assistant volleyball coach for the Lakeville North Panthers, Matt, Logan, and Bill reconvene to set you up for Week 8 of High School Football!

Topics discussed include Lakeville South’s big win over Shakopee and where the Cougars rank among the 6-7 teams that could win the 6A title this year (4:50)! Also discussed, the teams with the most on the line in Week 8, including a huge Section matchup between Centennial and Woodbury, Forest Lake and Lakeville North fighting for home playoff games, and a Maroon vs Gold bout between unbeaten Stillwater and Eden Prairie (12:20). They also touch on 5A football games of the week (28:58) and touch on Section Soccer storylines as we approach the State Tourney (34:39).

The interview with Walt Weaver starts at (43:28). The Panther assistant coach talks about one of the best stories in high school sports this year as longtime head coach Jackie Richter returned to the Panther bench following a serious brain surgery.

Before welcoming in guest Jake Smothers, the 10th year head coach of Stillwater Boys Soccer, Logan, Matt, & Bill return to talk prep football! Topics discussed include Rosemount’s case for a No. 1 ranking (3:30), how Stillwater’s air raid offense will fare as the weather turns (14:18), Centennial’s offensive outburst (23:07), Carson Hansen’s case for Mr. Football (22:59), and Shakopee’s historic win over Eden Prairie (29:16).

The guys also discuss Section soccer playoffs in both boys & girls (36:07) before presenting their “notes from the field.”

Interview with Jake Smothers starts at (44:07)

Before a conversation with Maple Grove Football Head Coach Matt Lombardi (40:55), Logan, Matt, & Bill are back at it to discuss an exciting Week 5 in prep football! Topics discuss include but are not limited to Rosemount rolling to 5-0 (5:10), Shakopee’s overtime win over North (11:30) and how the Sabers match up with Eden Prairie in the “Game of the Week” this Friday! They also head to the East Side of the metro to talk East Ridge’s upset over previous unbeaten Woodbury (19:20), plus Stillwater’s big matchup with Forest Lake in a battle of Maroon undefeated squads (24:55)!

Moving to Class 5A starting at (27:55), Bill Hupp breaks down his favorite game from last Friday, a comeback win for Robbinsdale-Armstrong over Chanhassen, and discusses the parity in 5A football this year.

Interview with Matt Lombardi starts at (40:55)