TARTAN (6-0) AT SIMLEY (6-0), 7 P.M.
Armed with its traditionally strong defense and a newfound explosive offense, Simley is the most surprising 6-0 team in Minnesota. Meanwhile, on the heels of last year’s state tournament run, Tartan’s strong season should surprise no one. The winner Friday likely wins the Suburban Grey subdistrict title. Our pick: Tartan 27, Simley 19
FARMINGTON (5-1) AT LAKEVILLE SOUTH (5-1), 7 P.M.
Farmington is having a remarkable season, and still might be the least talked-about 5-1 team in Class 6A. That will change if the Tigers can knock off the second-ranked Cougars on Friday. That won’t be easy, as Lakeville South proved in its win over Lakeville North that it can impose its will on anyone. Our pick: Lakeville South 42, Farmington 28
MOUND WESTONKA (5-1) AT SMB (6-0), 7 P.M. AT BLAKE
Jalen Suggs is putting on a show every week from the quarterback position, and he’s only proven more dangerous this year while reuniting with star receiver and friend Terry Lockett. A seventh straight win to open the season would give the Wolfpack the Suburban-Maroon subdistrict title. Our pick: SMB 49, Mound Westonka 24
ST. PAUL JOHNSON (4-2) AT MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST (5-1), 6 P.M. AT PERSHING PARK
Remember when Johnson started the season 0-2? In the four weeks that have followed, the Governors have outscored their opponents 179-28 and are looking much more like the team that advanced to the Class 4A state semifinals a year ago. Friday’s game vs. upstart Minneapolis Southwest is for the Twin City City-Blue subdistrict title. Our pick: St. Paul Johnson 30, Minneapolis Southwest 28
EAST RIDGE (3-3) AT MOUNDS VIEW (5-1), 7 P.M.
Mounds View has the top scoring defense (10.7 points per game) in the Metro East subdistrict this season, while East Ridge has the top scoring offense (25.8). Defense seems likely to win out here — the Mustangs’ defensive unit is special. Our pick: Mounds View 24, East Ridge 10
SUPERIOR (6-1) AT RIVER FALLS (5-2), 7 P.M. at WIS-RIVER FALLS
Credit to River Falls and head coach David Crail for staying the course after losing star running back Seth Kohel to a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. The Wildcats are 3-0 since while relying more on their passing game and strong defense to stay in the Big Rivers Conference title race. Superior, River Falls and Menomonie enter the week tied at the top at 4-1 in the conference standings. Our pick: River Falls 24, Superior 21
SPRING VALLEY (7-0) AT MONDOVI (7-0), 7 P.M.
Mondovi has, remarkably, allowed zero points this season and is outscoring opponents by an average score of 50-0. Spring Valley has been nearly as good, surrendering just 22 points total this season. The two titans will battle it out Friday for the Dunn-St. Croix Conference title. Bold prediction: both teams will score. Our pick: Mondovi 27, Spring Valley 13
Last week: 3-3
Overall: 24-14
