What's at stake?
Rochester can still overtake Central Lakes by winning out; Ridgewater could win the second playoff spot out of the division by winning out and another Rochester loss.
Last week
Despite a stellar defense, Ridgewater lost at Brainerd to first-place Central Lakes, 24-13. The Warriors played an inspired first half, holding the Raiders to 43 yards to leading 6-0. But two mistakes -- a short punt and a fumble -- twice gave the Raiders a short field in the third period when they scored 17 points for a 17-6 lead. Both teams scored once more in the fourth quarter. Rochester rolled over winless Fergus Falls, 28-10.
The Yellowjackets' file
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Rochester has the division's stingiest defense -- 14 points per game -- and has scored twice as many points (130) as Ridgewater (66). Quarterback Henry Lau has thrown for a league-high 661 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions. The rushing game is divided between three backs, each with at least two TDs. Kicker Jarrod Fohrman is 5 of 10 on field goal attempts and punter Jason Lenaetz averages 38.6.
What Ridgewater coach Rob Baumgarn said
On the division race: "We're still in the race; if we play our game and win out and we get some help from either Central Lakes or Minnesota West, we get in.
On Rochester: "They're physical and like to run or pass off play-action. They have great speed at wide receiver."
On Warriors' toughness: "We have 37 on the roster, but they are all guys who love to play the game. I'm proud of our team. You don't have to be a talented football player necessarily to play this game; you need to be a football player."
Extra Yardage
Lance Bussler bruised his ribs in the first half against Central Lakes. Starting cornerback Desmond Moody took over and did well, but the shift forced shuffling in the secondary that opened some holes for the Raiders. Bussler is ready to go again this week.
The bottom line
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Without an explosive offense, Ridgewater must keep errors to a minimum and take advantage of any breaks they get. The offense needs to put at least three TDs on the board, something it's done only once this fall.
