one matchups in Minnesota high school football state semifinals

Podany broke out this season with 2,212 passing yards and 19 touchdowns — none more dramatic than the go-ahead connection with senior Afy Ibekwe from 8 yards out and just 3:27 on the clock to knock off Lakeville North last week. Hudgens, a 6-2, 215-pound specimen, leads Minnetonka in tackles (106) and stops for a loss (14). Behind Hudgens are the brains of defensive coordinator Lombardi, the architect of four Prep Bowl championships — three with Wayzata and one with Maple Grove. Former Wayzata coach Brad Anderson once said Lombardi's schemes "could make 11 seem like 13 out there."

Clark, Sabers coach Ray Betton said, "ain't but a buck 60 [160 pounds], but he runs hard." Last week, he carried the ball on seven of eight plays on a drive that started at the 50-yard line and scored a 6-yard touchdown that helped Shakopee defeat Mounds View. Wrbanek, who measures 6-3 and 210 pounds, has raised his level of play against the best all season. He made 13 tackles against Centennial and Anoka, 10 at Minnetonka and a whopping 17 against Eden Prairie.

Chase Thompson officially signed his scholarship acceptance and financial package documents to play basketball at Clemson on Wednesday at Alexandria Area High School along with 17 other student-athletes committing to college teams on the first day of the NCAA's early signing period.