Central and Como Park look to have strong season in new “districts”

By MATTHEW DAVIS

High school football in Minnesota kicks off a most unusual of seasons early this year.

Scheduling conflicts with TCF Bank Stadium moved the Prep Bowl back two weeks thus warranting an Aug. 22 date for the first high school games. All teams, including Como Park and Central, locally opened their seasons with practices on Aug. 10.

Besides an early start, teams play in districts this fall instead of conferences as the Minnesota State High School League decided in 2014. The decision came about to keep teams from traveling far distances to get non-conference games to fill their schedule. The MSHSL also wanted to create a better competitive balance.

Also, the start date change cut down practice time by a week before the first games, and the MSHSL had its section realignment take effect this fall too. The only thing missing might be Brett Favre coming back to Minnesota to coach a high school football team for all the twists this new season has.

Despite the changes, Central looks poised to keep their usual winning ways this fall. The Minutemen returns significant talent from a team that went 7-3 last year.

Senior quarterback Sam Gubbrud had a 1,000-yard season passing in 2014. Jamal Galato, a senior, has proven to be a force at linebacker and on offense. He had 340 yards rushing in 2014 and 188 yards receiving. Those numbers could go up with star running back Garrett Gardner graduated.

Galato ranked second for the most tackles on the team with 83 in 2014. Jon Gubbrud, the team’s third-leading tackler with 67, also returns this fall

Como Park will look for a less-than-usual season after a 3-7 campaign in 2014, their fifth consecutive losing season. Trevon Clay, a state hurdling champion, remains a key fixture for the Cougars’ success at running back.

With all the schedule changes, nothing looks too unusual for Central’s or Como’s openers as far as opponents go. Both teams open with familiar rivals from the old St. Paul City Conference.

Central, which opened with St. Paul Johnson, has a slew of less-familiar teams on their schedule this fall in the Twin City District Maroon Division. The Minutemen playa St. Anthony Village on Fri., Aug. 28 at Griffin Stadium at 7pm followed by a trip to Fridley on Fri., Sept. 4 at 6pm.

Afterward, Central has three-straight games with Minneapolis schools Southwest (Sept. 11) at home, North (Sept. 18) at home and Washburn (Sept. 25) away. North, a section runner-up last fall will pose one of the biggest challenges for the Minutemen this season.

The Minutemen close out the season with Class 4A power St. Croix Lutheran on Oct. 2 at home and St. Paul Highland Park on the road at 5pm on Oct. 9. Central then will take on a formidable Section 4 Class 5A field for the playoffs, which begin the week of MEA. Notably, that field features strong teams in Mahtomedi, Tartan, and Washburn. The new co-op of Minnehaha Academy-Blake-St. Paul Academy could also pose a threat.

Como has perhaps an even bigger change of scenery than Central. The Cougars play Highland Park  (Aug. 22) and St. Paul Harding (Aug. 29) the first two weeks of the season and then no other old St. Paul City team after that.

From week three and beyond, the Cougars have Breck (Sept. 4), Minneapolis Henry (Sept. 11), Concordia Academy (Sept. 19), SMB (Sept. 25), Columbia Heights (Oct. 2) and Mound Westonka (Oct. 8). Fortunately for Como, the Mound Westonka game is at home this season instead of the almost hour-long trip across the metro.

Como will compete in a strong Section 4AAA for the postseason. SCL appears the favorite based on their constant success in recent years, and Breck has a strong offense. Brooklyn Center, Henry, and Minneapolis Roosevelt can’t be overlooked either.