After examining the eight Class AA sections, it's time to look at the eight Class A sections.
In Section 1, the Jason Fornwald Era has got off to a good start at Albert Lea. Fornwald who replaced Roy Nystrom who retired after 44 years leading the Tigers has led them to the top seed and a nine game unbeaten streak. They will have to get past the second seeded Mankato East/Loyola Cougars and the second seeded Minnesota River Bulldogs.
Section 2 has several teams in the hunt for a state tournament berth. First is the top seeded Orono Spartans, followed by their Wright County Conference rivals, the second seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks and the third seeded Delano Tigers. Looking to pull the upset is the fourth seeded Minneapolis Novas and the fifth seeded Providence Academy Lions. What about the Breck Mustangs? Since head coach Les Larson stepped down, the Mustangs have gone from a 22 win season last year to only 7 wins and a number six seed this season.
Down south to Section 3 with the top seeded Luverne Cardinals looking for a return trip to the X after they lost in overtime in last year's quarterfinals to the eventual Class A champion Hermantown Hawks. But look out for the second seeded Litchfield/Dassel Cokato Dragons and the third seeded Marshall Tigers.
Over in Section 4, the top seed is the Mahtomedi Zephyrs who got off to a solid start with an 8-0-1 record before going 10-6 the rest of the season. It should be an outstanding race with the second seeded South St. Paul Packers, the third seeded Simley Spartans, the fourth seeded St. Paul Johnson Governors and the fifth seeded Northfield Raiders. Who will emerge with the championship trophy?
Now to Section 5 with the Monticello Magic the top seed. It's just Monitcello this season as the dropped the Moose nickname as well as the co-op between the communities of Annandale and Maple Lake. The magical mystery tour through the section could be tough for Monticello as a couple of teams are on a roll en route to the first trip to the X. They are the second seeded North Branch Vikings and the third seeded Pine City Dragons. The Dragons are on a 13 game winning streak since they lost to Simley on December 26 in the Schwan Cup quarterfinals. There could also be a possible rematch with the Vikings, who beat them 3-2 in overtime on December 19. Could Pine City be the sleeper team in the section?
Two St. Cloud area teams are the top two seeds in Section 6. The top seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders look to return down I-94 to St. Paul after they lost to Hermantown in overtime in last year's Class A semifinals. The second seeded Sartell-St. Stephen Sabres have an identical record and lost to the Crusaders 5-1 on December 29. A rematch could be possible if both teams advance to the section final. Also in the hunt is the third seeded Alexandria Cardinals.
Though Bruce Plante retired after leading Hermantown to the Class A championship last season, he left the program in good hands as new head coach Patrick Andrews has led the Hawks past a 1-3 start to the top seed in Section 7. first they have to take care of the second seeded Greenway/Nashwauk Keewatin Raiders. Could the third seeded Virginia/Mountain-Iron Buhl Blue Devils also go for the gold?
And finally in Section 8, there's no dominate favorite as six teams have winning records but only one will make the trip to St. Paul. The top seed and getting a first round bye is the Warroad Warriors. Also with a first round bye is the second seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave. The two quarterfinal games could be interesting as the sixth seeded Detroit Lakes Lakers go for their first trip to state since 1996 against the third seeded Crookston Pirates and the fifth seeded Lake of the Woods Bears head to Thief River Falls to face the Prowlers. If there's no snowstorm March 1, take a drive up to Warroad for the section final. It will answer the question "Who will play for a trip to the state tournament?"
That's a preview of the Class A & AA sections. Expect packed houses on the Road to St. Paul.
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