EP 102: Talking HS Hockey and Classic Barns with the Youth Hockey Hub’s Tony Scott

Tony Zosel, aka “Tony Scott,” from the Youth Hockey Hub joins the podcast to talk about the suprises of the boys and girls high school hockey seasons so far!

Starting at (2:24), they head to the boys side of the ice and discuss the the gap closing between title favorites Minnetonka and the rest of the field as well as the possibility of an undefeated season for the Skippers. They also discuss other contenders to challenge the Skippers in Class AA, including Wayzata (7:00), Chanhassen (9:26), and Benilde-St. Margaret’s (10:18), among others. Other teams and topics include the talent coming up in Moorhead (13:40), Saturday’s top-15 clash between Rogers and Shakopee (16:15), and the depth of the Northwest Suburban Conference this year (23:50).

Starting at (27:39), they transition to girls hockey where they discuss the three remaining unbeatens entering the week in Class AA, including how Hill-Murray are ahead of schedule as title contenders after a summer of upheaval (28:57). They also discuss Lakeville North, Northfield, and some of the best Section Finals to watch out for this winter.

Finally at (35:49), they close the show with Tony’s seven locks and short-list of dark horse candidates for the “Mr. Hockey” award.

EP 101: Previewing the Boys HS Basketball Season with the “TC Hoops Czar!”

Matt and Logan are joined by the “TC Hoops Czar” to talk everything high school hoops as the boys basketball season tips off en masse this week in Minnesota!

They start their in-depth season preview by talking the implications of the shot clock this season (2:51) and the most notable coaching changes around the Metro heading into the year (7:01).

Discussed next are the top players in the Metro to watch going into the year (12:23), including recent Creighton commit Jackson McAndrew of Wayzata, Daniel Freitag (Wisconsin, Breck School), future Colorado State teammates Jon Mokonnen (Eastview) and Kyle Jorgensen (Minneapolis-Washburn), among others.

Starting at (21:26), they discuss pre-season favorites to make the State Tournament in each of the eight Class 4A Sections, before talking title favorites in Class 3A (29:54) and 2A (42:21). They close the show by previewing some of the huge matchups to follow at this weekend’s Hopkins Tip-Off event.

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)

EP 96: Extra Mayo Please! The Second Round of the Prep Football Playoffs Kicks Off Friday

Matt, Logan, and Bill are back to talk everything high school football in Minnesota after the opening round of the playoffs Friday!

They start in Class 6A, discussing all 16 teams that moved on to the next round, including standout performances and the biggest suprises in Week 1 of the postseason. Matt bemoans two of his hipster State Tourney picks going out in the first-round while Logan and Bill give their impressions of Lakeville North’s dominant performance, particularly in the second-half, aganst a talented Coon Rapids squad at (9:29).

Starting at (20:01), they preview all the second-round matchups in Class 6A, and speculate on possible upset wins for Rochester-Mayo (#ExtraMayo), Edina, and Forest Lake while also keying in on the “matchup of the week” between Lakeville South and Shakopee.

At (37:32), they discuss Class 5A results of note and preview Section Finals between Elk River and Andover, an all Robbinsdale derby, and the rematch of No. 1 Chanhassen vs No. 2 Mankato West.

EP 95: Smash Mouth Football & the Playoff Preview Show feat. Lakeville North Head Coach Brian Vossen

It’s the best time of the year as the high school football playoffs kick off this week in Minnesota! To start the show, Brian Vossen, the 14th year head coach of Lakeville North, hops on for an appearance to talk about his No. 2 ranked Panthers, as well as the keys to success in the postseason, the talent of a Coon Rapids Cardinals squad his team faces on Friday, and the positivies of the adjusted 6A playoff format.

Starting at (24:44), Matt, Logan, and Bill go in-depth breaking down the Class 6A bracket, including talking favorable draws, potential upsets, and first-round games to watch this coming Friday. They also discuss and unhinged “Minneapolis Miracle-esque” finish between Blaine and Shakopee last Thursday (41:30). They then make their predictions at who will reach the 6A State Tournament this year at (46:20).

Finally, they close the show by previewing the Class 5A playoffs (53:19).

EP 94: Football Upsets, a Big 12 Commitment, & Volleyball “Little Giants” with the Star Tribune’s Jim Paulsen

Star Tribune prep sportswriter Jim Paulsen makes his fourth appearance on the podcast and joins the show to talk everything prep football and volleyball in Minnesota!

The guys start the show by breaking down three top-10 teams all falling in the Class 6A field in a handful of suprise upsets last week on the gridiron. They also discuss the recent committment of the State’s top wide receiver, Kijohn Cummings-Coleman from Coon Rapids, and discuss his candiacy for “Mr. Football” alongside Chanhassen standout running back Maxwell Woods (NDSU) and Esko running back/safety Koi Perich, who is currently committed to the Gophers.

Starting at (25:56), Jim brings his volleyball expertise to discuss head coach Scott Jackson’s Wayzata Trojans as the dominant force in the high school game right now. They also discuss Champlin Park as the Trojans’ top opposition, the changing of the guard at Eagan, and who might come out of a fierce Section 1AAAA between Lakeville North, Lakeville South, and New Prague. They also discuss the favorites for the All-Metro Volleyball team, among other topics.

EP 93: Fall Fever with The Breck School & Channel 45’s Chris Ohm!

On the latest episode of the pod, Matt, Logan, and Bill are joined by Chris Ohm, the Dean of Students at the Breck School, broadcaster for Channel 45’s coverage of prep football, and color commentator on the Tommies Radio network!

Chris first hops on the show to talk about his background and transition from coaching to broadcasting before talking about Breck’s football program, and the big picture differences between Class 6A and the smaller school classifications.

Starting at (15:57), the crew recap the big games in Class 6A and 5A, including Rosemount’s walk-off victory to hand No. 2 Lakeville South their first loss, Eden Prairie rolling, and more! Ohm shares his contenders to potentially unseat the top-ranked Eagles, and he gives his impressions of 5A favorites Chanhassen and Mankato West, among other topics.