Looking at the McLeod County matchup

Before I get to breaking down the Hutchinson and Glencoe-Silver Lake game, I'd like to pass on another link - this one from the Star Tribune on former Panther star Jon Hoese.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/27570264.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiU...

Hoese, who walked on to the Gopher program a year ago and played safety and on special teams as a true freshman, has switched back to running back and could be used to spell Duane Bennett and Jay Thomas this season.

I was giddy to read this because Jon is a really great kid. I had the opportunity to talk with him on the football field and then in track when he helped the Panthers to a Class A state title. I met up with him again last summer at Gophers camp - every time, he has been very approachable.

It really is good to see a hard-working kid realize a dream of playing Division I.

Another former walk-on, Olivia's Ben Kuznia, is listed as a starting wide out for Saturday's game with Northern Illinois. I got to know Ben a little bit when I worked in Olivia. Another great kid and great parents. His parents, Fay and Curt, even offered me bowl tickets a couple of years ago.

Along with Tony Mortensen and Silver Lake's Willie Van De Steeg in the mix, we've sure got a lot to cheer for out in this area this season. Now, only if Mediacom would settle with the Big Ten Network. Comcast did. Charter did. Come on Mediacom!

Now onto the big game.....

Friday's game definitely is going to have a bit different feel to it without Panthers quarterback Matt Muenchow and longtime coach Dave Dose. One stat that does loom large - Glencoe-Silver Lake was 7-0 at home a year ago, 6-0 in 2006 and 6-0 in 2005. What does this mean? I believe the Panthers are still unbeaten at Stevens Seminary Field.

Here is a position-by-position breakdown:
Quarterback: Even
G-SL - Sophomore Kyler Anderson
Hutch - Junior Seth Hintze
* Neither quarterback has a lot of experience.