High school football predictions touch on clash of Edina and Stillwater quarterbacks and a perfect greater Minnesota matchup of Alexandria and Moorhead

David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen, Minnesota Star Tribune reporters who make an annual competition of predicting high school football winners, are in a tight one as the regular season nears its end. Each is 16-6 after each missed once last week.

Their predictions and analysis for three Week 7 games, including one on Thursday:

David says: Which team bounces back better from a disappointing loss last week? Stillwater handed White Bear Lake its first victory this fall. Meanwhile, Edina fell to a top 10 opponent in Shakopee. Expect the Ponies to be angrier, but it’s hard to pick against the Hornets and the superior competition they face game after game. The pick: Edina 31, Stillwater 24

Jim says: I agree with David’s assessment of both team’s losses last week being disappointing. I’ll add “unexpected.” Reason? I didn’t notice any significant injuries. Perhaps the midseason blahs? Lots of outside interest in this one because it features the top two high school quarterback prospects in the state in Edina junior Mason West and Stillwater junior Nick Kinsey. That alone makes it worthwhile. The pick: Edina 27, Stillwater 17

David says: No. 1 in Class 5A, Alexandria welcomes No. 2 Moorhead to town for a can’t-miss matchup. “We usually see each other twice a year, and season records go out the window when we clash,” Alexandria coach Mike Empting told the Minnesota Star Tribune this week. “Both teams bring out the best in each other.” The pick: Alexandria 21, Moorhead 14

Jim says: I’ve been excited for this game all season. Two teams with positively charged offenses and enough talent to light up the whole of west central Minnesota. Alexandria is ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, but I just like how No. 2 Moorhead presents itself. The Spuds are flying high, averaging 51.7 points per game behind a trio of uber-talented sophomores in QB Jett Feeney, WR David Mack and RB Taye Reich. The pick: Moorhead 44, Alexandria 38

David says: Let’s start with a mea culpa. Two weeks ago, I picked the Wildcats to get blown out at Lakeville North, which they most certainly were not. Making a prediction this week involved deciding which 4-2 program takes the next step toward respectability. Sorry, Eagan, but I’ll defer to Forest Lake. But the game will be close, maybe a last-team-with-the-ball sort of scenario. The pick: Forest Lake 21, Eagan 20

Jim says: I think Eagan has been the most pleasant surprise of the season. The Wildcats are no fluke; they’ve shown a competitiveness in every game. And they’re learning how to close out games, holding off a second-half Farmington rally in an 18-10 victory last Friday. Forest Lake is nearly a carbon copy of Eagan, both bruising run-heavy bunches. Playing at home is an obvious advantage, but I have a hunch about Eagan. The pick: Eagan 32, Forest Lake 29