High school football: Saturday’s state quarterfinal predictions

A look high school football state tournament quarterfinal games Saturday involving East Metro teams:

CLASS 5A

Mahtomedi (9-1) vs. St. Thomas Academy (10-0), 12 p.m., at Woodbury High School

A rematch of the Oct. 7 meeting won 28-14 by the Cadets. St. Thomas Academy won the line of scrimmage that night, slowing Zephyrs star back Corey Bohmert while, perhaps more importantly, also establishing a passing game. The two ground-and-pound squads have both sought out added aerial production all fall. Whoever can establish it Saturday might be the team to advance. OUR PICK: St. Thomas Academy 21, Mahtomedi 14

CLASS 3A

St. Croix Lutheran (5-5) vs. Fairmont (9-2), 12 p.m., at Burnsville High School

The Crusaders entered the postseason on a three-game losing streak but turned the tide in time to earn their first state tournament since 2017. St. Croix Lutheran’s 14-6 section final win over Breck may have been the team’s best defensive performance to date. But can the Crusaders’ defense slow a Fairmont offense averaging 36.6 points over its past seven games? OUR PICK: Fairmont 35, St. Croix Lutheran 28

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