High school football predictions include the Edina and Stillwater QBs meeting

Minnesota Star Tribune reporters David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen, who run an annual contest to predict high school football winners, are in a tough spot as the regular season nears its end. Each is 16-6 after missing once each last week.

Their predictions and analysis for three Week 7 games, including one on Thursday:

David says: Which team will bounce back better from a disappointing loss last week? Stillwater gave White Bear Lake its first win this fall. Meanwhile, Edina fell to a top-10 opponent in Shakopee. Expect the Ponies to be angrier, but it's hard to beat the Hornets and the superior competition they face game after game. The choice: Edina 31, Stillwater 24

Jim says: I agree with David's assessment that both teams' losses last week were disappointing. I add “unexpectedly”. Reason? I didn't notice any notable injuries. Maybe mid-season is boring? There is a lot of outside interest in this game because it features the state's top two high school quarterback prospects in Edina junior Mason West and Stillwater junior Nick Kinsey. That alone makes it worth it. The choice: Edina 27, Stillwater 17

David says: Class 5A's No. 1 seed Alexandria welcomes No. 2 Moorhead to town for a can't-miss matchup. “We usually see each other twice a year, and when we meet, the season records go out the window,” Alexandria coach Mike Empting told the Minnesota Star Tribune this week. “Both teams bring out the best in each other.” The choice: Alexandria 21, Moorhead 14

Jim says: I've been looking forward to this game all season. Two teams with positive offenses and enough talent to light up all of west-central Minnesota. Alexandria is the No. 1 seed in Class 5A, but I just like how No. 2 Moorhead is performing. The Spuds are flying high, averaging 51.7 points per game behind a trio of highly talented sophomores in QB Jett Feeney, WR David Mack and RB Taye Reich. The choice: Moorhead 44, Alexandria 38

David says: Let's start with a mea culpa. Two weeks ago I picked the Wildcats to get thrown out at Lakeville North, which most certainly wasn't the case. Making a prediction this week required deciding which 4-2 program would take the next step toward respectability. Sorry, Eagan, but I'm relying on Forest Lake. But the game will be close, perhaps a scenario where the last team has the ball. The choice: Forest Lake 21, Eagan 20

Jim says: I think Eagan was the most pleasant surprise of the season. The Wildcats are no accident; They showed competitiveness in every game. And they're learning how to finish games, holding off a second-half surge from Farmington in an 18-10 win last Friday. Forest Lake is almost a carbon copy of Eagan, both are run heavy. Playing at home is an obvious advantage, but I have a hunch about Eagan. The choice: Eagan 32, Forest Lake 29