North Dakota Preps

Any predictions on Class AA

What does each region look team wise?

Teams
East: Fargo Shanley, Grafton, Wahpeton, Valley City, Lisbon, Kindred, Central Cass, Maple Valley-Enderlin

West: Bishop Ryan, Watford City, Dickinson Trinity, St. Mary's, Stanley-Powers Lake, Griggs/Barnes County, Beulah, Turtle Mountain

Any Predictions?

Shanley's probably the team to beat. Grafton and Wahpeton seem to have developed strong programs and could push. If Kindred can surround Bachmeier with some help they could be in the hunt.

Out west, Ryan should be good again. I'll be interested to see how Watford City and Stanley adjust to the higher level. I'm not sure what they bring back, but they're always good programs.

The east will maintain their playoff dominance.

I think it is Shanley hands down. They just have a really great program with a steady stream of talent and size.. but I am surprised Wap and Grafton and so low. They always have big kids and they always have somebody who can run. Kindred is a wildcard. They will either be really good or really bad. It is all up to their line. The skilled positions are stacked with talent right now but it does not do them any good if they are laying on the ground before they can get some running room.

maddog1971 wrote:I think it is Shanley hands down. They just have a really great program with a steady stream of talent and size.. but I am surprised Wap and Grafton and so low. They always have big kids and they always have somebody who can run. Kindred is a wildcard. They will either be really good or really bad. It is all up to their line. The skilled positions are stacked with talent right now but it does not do them any good if they are laying on the ground before they can get some running room.

Do they have skill position talent other than Bachmeier? I know he's great but I didn't see other talent last year.

Predictions
East
1. Fargo Shanley
2. Wahpeton
3. Grafton

4. Kindred
5. Lisbon

6. Central Cass
7. Valley City
8. Maple Valley-Enderlin

West
1. Bishop Ryan

2. Dickinson Trinity
3. Watford City
4. St. Mary's

5. Stanley-Powers Lake
6. Beulah
7. Griggs/Barnes County
8. Turtle Mountain

One of the things I have enjoyed about the AA football is that you never really know what you are going to get until the season starts. All these schools are big enough to have great JV programs and those kids really don't see any time on the varsity field. I honestly don't know how it will stack up except for Shanley winning another state title.
By the way Kindred has quite a bit of speed as a group. Look how they did in track last year and it looks like all of them are on the team. Add that with the QB and yes... they will score some points if the line can do their job and give him some time.

1. Shanley
2. Wahpeton
3. Valley City
4. Grafton
5. Kindred
6. Central Cass
7. Maple Valley Enderlin
8. Lisbon

why rank Lisbon so low? They have fast athletes there too, don't they"

Run4Fun2009 wrote:Predictions
East
1. Fargo Shanley
2. Wahpeton
3. Grafton

4. Kindred
5. Lisbon

6. Central Cass
7. Valley City
8. Maple Valley-Enderlin

West
1. Bishop Ryan

2. Dickinson Trinity
3. Watford City
4. St. Mary's

5. Stanley-Powers Lake
6. Beulah
7. Griggs/Barnes County
8. Turtle Mountain

After watching Stanley play Williams County, they will finish last.

Looks like Bishop Ryan and St. Mary's are the teams to beat. The west is back! Also Enderline Maple Valley coming out with two wins right away. That really surprised me as well. Do you think the East will have a new king in Enderline Maple Valley? I don't think so but those kids can surprise some people... be careful Shanley.

maddog1971 wrote:Looks like Bishop Ryan and St. Mary's are the teams to beat. The west is back! Also Enderline Maple Valley coming out with two wins right away. That really surprised me as well. Do you think the East will have a new king in Enderline Maple Valley? I don't think so but those kids can surprise some people... be careful Shanley.

Maple Valley-Enderlin beat Class A Northern Cass by 1 & a poor GBC by 19. I just don't see them being on the level of Shanley or Wahpeton. Will they compete well...yes. Will they make the playoffs...maybe but more likely as the 4 seed if they do.

Well Nothing wrong with making the playoff's. I am sure quite a few other teams would love to make the playoffs. I personally would take it. Coming from class a to aa and making the playoffs... yep I would take it. I just don't see Shanley has the line like they have in the past.

I was at last night's game between Shanley and Maple Valley-Enderlin. Looks like Run4Fun was right on this one. MVE was not anywhere near the level Shanley was at. And their only score happened once Shanley put the JV players in to play.

Looks like Shanley still has a great line.

Not saying Shanley does not have a good line.... they have just had some great lines over the past. I think it was proven already this year with getting beat.

maddog1971 wrote:Not saying Shanley does not have a good line.... they have just had some great lines over the past. I think it was proven already this year with getting beat.

I wonder how many lines look "great" the first week of the season?

Probably not the exact area to post this but anyway I'd like to know what people are thinking about the Bishop Ryan and St. Mary's matchup this coming Thursday?

I have watched SM a few times and they are very good defensively, Offense is decent with pretty good athletes (I think it could get better). I know Ryan runs a wide open offense with multiple formations and no huddle with great athletes. Any thoughts?

observer wrote:Probably not the exact area to post this but anyway I'd like to know what people are thinking about the Bishop Ryan and St. Mary's matchup this coming Thursday?

I have watched SM a few times and they are very good defensively, Offense is decent with pretty good athletes (I think it could get better). I know Ryan runs a wide open offense with multiple formations and no huddle with great athletes. Any thoughts?

Something has to give in this one, as one of the best defenses in the state go against one of the best offenses. (2A). I would think that the lack of offense coming from St. Mary's side is going to be their downfall in this game, and with Ryan playing a "home" game, this one will go in their favor.
I'll say Ryan 20-13.. Could be a preview of the state title game, ala Grafton/Shanley the past couple of years.