High school football: Week 1 predictions, Thursday edition

A look at some of the East Metro’s best high school football games on Thursday night:

A South Washington County rivalry is reborn, and taking its show to Eagan to play at the Vikings’ practice facility. There is strong optimism about what Park football coach Rick Fryklund and his coaching staff are building in Cottage Grove. In Week 1, though, the Wolfpack must contend with one of the state’s top gunslingers in East Ridge’s Tanner Zolnosky. OUR PICK: East Ridge 31, Park 21

The bad news for the Ponies is signal caller Max Shikenjanski graduated. The good news, however, is that so many of the pieces around him from last year’s state tournament team are back. Thursday serves as a rematch of a second-round playoff game from last fall, won 42-7 by Stillwater. OUR PICK: Stillwater 24, Lakeville North 17

Two teams that easily could have claimed the Class 5A state crown in alternate universes last season. Both saw their years end in overtime — Andover in the section final to eventual state champion Elk River, and St. Thomas Academy in the quarterfinals to rival Mahtomedi.

Both squads also must replace key figures this season, as Andover lost dual-threat standout quarterback Landyn Nelson to graduation, and St. Thomas Academy lost coaching stalwart Dan O’Brien to Holy Family. Thursday marks Cadets coach Travis Welch’s first game guiding the program. OUR PICK: St. Thomas Academy 28, Andover 27

Scots coach Dave Zeitchick is back in the saddle, coaching Highland Park again after stepping down from his post in 2019. Welcoming him back is an old rival in Johnson, which is aiming to bounce back from a two-win season last fall. OUR PICK: Highland Park 30, Johnson 13

Gone from Rosemount are many of the key cogs in that tremendous Irish defense that carried the team to last year’s Prep Bowl. But there are pieces back in the secondary and also in the offensive backfield. And Rosemount is generally ready to reload with another well-prepared senior class. OUR PICK: Rosemount 27, Eastview 3