EP 60: Prep Bowl Reactions and the Basketball Preview Show with the TC Hoops Czar!

On the latest episode of the podcast, Logan, Matt, and Bill close the book on the Fall sports calendar as they react to last weekend’s slate of Prep Bowl Championships, including Maple Grove’s first State Title in school history, as well as crowns claimed by Elk River, Simley, and the most exciting finish of the weekend in the 3A bowl.

Starting at (20:28), the guys preview the Girls Basketball season in Minnesota, with topics including but not limited to Hopkins retooling from last year’s undefeated squad, the depth in Section 2AAAA, Tessa Johnson’s dominance, and other Section races of note in girls 4A and 3A.

Finally the “TC Hoops Czar” joins the show to provide his insight and help preview the Boys Hoops season starting at (37:42)! His Czarness talks about preseason title favorites in 4A, sleeper teams, Mr. Basketball contenders, outstate teams of note, and the Class 3A field!

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EP 59: Prep Bowl Picks, Preseason Prediction Grades, & a Boys Hockey Season Preview!

On the latest episode of the podcast, Logan, Matt, & Bill return full and well-rested to make their official predictions for this weekend’s Prep Bowls in all classes and also look back at their preseason prep football “bold predictions” to see how they did, to mixed results.

Next, they preview the Boys Hockey season starting at (25:02), with a particular focus on Class AA and teams in the Metro. Topics discussed include favorites in each of the Sections, up-and-coming teams to watch, and a few standout results from the past weekend’s Thanksgiving tournaments.

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EP 58: Turkey Trotting to the Prep Bowl with KARE 11’s Craig Norkus

The TC Game Time Podcast crew is back just before Thanksgiving to preview the upcoming Prep Bowl Championships at U.S. Bank Stadium, joined by special guest Craig Norkus, the co-host of KARE 11’s Prep Preview Show!

Before Craig joins the exclusive two-time guest club, Logan, Matt, & Bill break down a matchup of unbeatens in the 6A Championship between Maple Grove and Rosemount next Friday (6:25). They also preview how an unstoppable force matches up with an immovable object as Elk River’s State-leading rushing attack faces Mankato West’s high-flying defense in an intriguing 5A title bout next Saturday (15:08). Finally, Winter sports are here so “North of the River” Bill is back to talk about some of the top teams in the Metro in the podcast’s girls hockey season outlook.

Interview with Craig Norkus starts at (34:09), including previews of the 6A, 5A, and 4A title games, a discussion of the KARE 11 All-Metro team, and a controversial debate about the merits of Thanksgiving turkey.

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EP 57: Take it to the Bank! State Football Semis Preview & State Volleyball Recap

Logan and Matt are back to first preview a pair of State Football Semifinals in 6A pitting Lakeville South against Maple Grove and Rosemount against Eden Prairie this weekend in Minneapolis (3:02)!

Also discussed are games of note in the other classes of football (17:56), including a come-from-behind winner for Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton in 3A and a suprising upset of St. Thomas Academy in a 5A tournament shake up.

Logan also shares his notes from the State Volleyball Tournament last week in St. Paul (21:30), including a dominant run by Wayzata to claim their third straight title with strong showings from the Swenson sisters and head coach Scott Jackson’s blue jean game.

Finally, they talk the start of the girls hockey season in the South Suburban Conference (27:15) and share their “notes from the field” about a famous race horse from Savage.

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EP 56: Poignant Predictions with Star Tribune’s Jim Paulsen!

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!

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EP 55: 6A Sweet Sixteen & Tourney Time in Soccer & Volleyball!

On the latest episode of the pod, Matt & Bill take over the show to react to the 6A football playoff first-round, focusing in on key results of Lakeville North beating Minnetonka (2:48), 7-seed Mounds View’s bracket buster over Champlin Park (7:20), and a thrilling comeback for Edina over Blaine in a 6 vs 3-seed upset (14:10). They also discuss some vulnerability shown by top-seed Stillwater and Prior Lake and look ahead at an itriguing second-round matchup between the Ponies and North this Friday (20:31).

Also discussed are notable 5A Football Section Finals between defending champs Mankato West and Chanhassen & Elk River vs Andover this week (26:08). They also dive into the State soccer championships for both boys & girls to be decided this week (29:23) and discuss a pair of Section Championships of note in volleyball to wrap the show (33:43).

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EP 54: Mustache Rankings & 6A Playoff Preview with Eagan Football’s Nick Johnson!

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).

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EP 53: “Seeds are for Farmers” & Lakeville North Volleyball’s Walt Weaver!

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.

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EP 52: Stillwater Rising with Ponies Boys Soccer Coach Jake Smothers

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)

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