Football Thursday: Apple Valley Looks to Slow Down Hopkins' McDonald

Editor's note: Each week this fall, Apple Valley Patch will preview the Apple Valley and Eastview football teams' coming match-ups.

GAME

Eagles (0-0, 0-0 South Suburban Conference) vs. Royals (0-0, 0-0 Lake Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

—Dom McDew-Stauffer (Apple Valley, running back)

McDew-Stauffer averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year as a sophomore and looked good at Saturday’s scrimmages.

—Harry Sonie (Apple Valley, defensive back)

Sonie had an interception at Saturday’s scrimmages and is one of the team’s quickest players on defense.

—Andre McDonald (Hopkins, wide receiver)

McDonald had 64 catches for 1,144 yards—and 19 touchdowns—last season. He’s being recruited by a number of Division I colleges.

—Brett Bremer (Hopkins, linebacker)

The team’s top returning tackler, Bremer had 40 solo tackles and five sacks as a defensive end last season.

THE EAGLES WIN IF...

They win the time-of-possession battle and get a running game established, and if quarterback Matt Thomas has time to throw. The defense must keep McDonald in check.

THE ROYALS WIN IF...

Andre McDonald is his usual self and the Royals defense forces Apple Valley into third-and-long situations.

2-MINUTE DRILL

Site: Hopkins High School

Time/Day: 7 p.m. Thursday

Weather: Partly cloudy, 87 degrees and humid

Last meeting: The two teams have not met in the past five years.

APPLE VALLEY FOOTBALL 2011 SCHEDULE

Thursday, Sept. 1     @ Hopkins                 

Friday, Sept. 9          vs. Lakeville North    

Friday, Sept. 16        @ Lakeville South    

Friday, Sept. 23        vs. Eagan

Friday, Sept. 30        @ Eastview

Friday, Oct. 7            @ Rosemount

Friday, Oct. 14          vs. Bloomington Jefferson (homecoming)

Wednesday, Oct. 19   vs. Bloomington Kennedy