The greatest tournament in high school sports kicks off on this Wednesday. Eight teams will vie for one state championship in the Class 1A Tournament. We decided to take a look at each of the eight teams in this year’s field and look at how each team could finish the weekend as state champions.
Mankato East (Section 1A Champion)
Opening-round matchup: Quarterfinal vs. St. Cloud Cathedral/March 4, 11 a.m.
Record: 14-13-1
State Tournament Appearances: 3
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-1
Player to Watch: Layten Liffrig (two assists in section final
Why they win: As a team barely scratching the above-.500 surface, it’s tough to make the case for the Cougars. However, things have been weird in the 1A tournament in recent years. Who says Mankato East can’t be the bracket buster of this year’s state tournament?
Delano (Section 2A Champion)
Opening-round matchup: Quarterfinal vs. Mahtomedi/March 4, 8 p.m.
Record: 22-6-0
State Tournament Appearances: 3
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 2-1
Player to Watch: Adam Brown (39 points)-regular season
Why they win: They’ve played teams tough this year, including St. Cloud Cathedral. This looks like a team which wants to build off a fifth-place finish in 2019.
Hutchinson (Section 3A Champion)
Opening-round matchup: Quarterfinal vs. Warroad/March 4, 6 p.m.
Record: 19-8-1
State Tournament Appearances: 4
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 0-3
Player to Watch: Austin Joszwick (33 goals/26 assists)-regular season
Why they win: A season ago, the Tigers found themselves hoisting a third-place trophy. One has to think Hutchinson is back craving a state final appearance, much less a state championship. That should be enough to put the Tigers in the state championship conversation.
Mahtomedi (Section 4A Champion)
Opening-round matchup: Quarterfinal vs. Delano/March 4, 8 p.m.
Record: 20-8-0
State Tournament Appearances: 12
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-2
Player to Watch: Ethan Peterson (2 goals in section final)
Why they win: The Zephyrs have found themselves in a position to win a state championship in recent years but often end up settling for secondary trophies. Could this be the year where Mahtomedi makes it run?
Monticello (Section 5A Champion)
Opening-round matchup: Quarterfinal vs. Hermantown/March 4, 1 p.m.
Record: 20-7-1
State Tournament Appearances: 3
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 0-3
Player to Watch: Jeffrey Henrikson (17G-22A during regular season)
Why they win: The Moose have become a state tournament darling of sorts over the years, and they’re back after a one-year hiatus. Could this be the time they finally break through and capture the Class 1A title?
St. Cloud Cathedral (Section 6A Champion)
Opening-round matchup: Quarterfinal vs. Mankato East/March 4, 11 a.m.
Record: 23-3-1
State Tournament Appearances: 10
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 4-1-1
Player to Watch: Jack Smith (four goals in section final)
Why they win: The Crusaders already have one championship with them, why not make it two? St. Cloud Cathedral has star power similar to a season ago. It’d be hardly surprising if the Crusaders find their way to consecutive state titles.
Hermantown (Section 7A Champion)
Opening-round matchup: Quarterfinal vs. Monticello/March 4, 1 p.m.
Record: 21-3-4
State Tournament Appearances: 16
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-0-1
Player to Watch: Zach Kilen (2 goals/3 assists in section final)
Why they win: The Hawks have become infamous for winning in Class 1A. If Hermantown didn’t need any more motivation, the Hawks are on a two-year title drought. They’ll certainly be ecstatic to finish off that drought.
Warroad (Section 8A Champion)
Opening-round matchup: Quarterfinal vs. Hutchinson/March 4, 6 p.m.
Record: 26-2-0
State Tournament Appearances: 22
Record vs. State Tournament Teams: 1-0-0
Player to Watch: Grant Slukynsky (2 goals-assist in section final)
Why they win: The Warriors had been a mainstay in the state tournament before an extended layoff. Now, Warroad is back and looks to have the talent to bring the Class 1A title back to the Iron Range.