It doesn’t seem possible, but this Friday will mark the half way point in the high school football season as our seven area teams head into week four. Moving into the fourth week one area team has proven itself head and shoulders above the rest; New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva remains unbeaten at 3-0 while Alden-Conger and Northwood-Kensett are close behind with 2-1 records.

Lake Mills picked up its first win of the season and is 1-2, along with Albert Lea who fell to Mankato West. Two teams come into week four looking for their first win of the year, they are United South Central and Glenville-Emmons, both 0-3.

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva vs. Watertown-Elysian-Morristown

The Panthers moved to 3-0 for the third year in a row with a 49-6 rout over Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial a week ago.

Superman, or Greg Ramaker, topped 170 yards for the third time this season as NRHEG’s running game continues to punish its opponents behind a dominate offensive line. Next up is the Buccaneers who are also undefeated at 3-0 after advancing to the section semifinals a year ago.

This game could be the Panthers biggest challenge yet, but unless the Bucs come in with some kryptonite to stop Ramaker and NRHEG’s high scoring offense, look for the Panthers to move to 4-0 for the second year in a row.

Key stats: Season record 3-0. Greg Ramaker 652 yards in three games with 11 TD’s.

Northwood-Kensett at North Butler

The Vikings improved to 2-1 on the year with an overwhelming 35-0 shutout at home last week against Riceville. N-K scored on its first drive of the game and never looked back as they racked up 275 yards rushing with 15 first downs.

One advantage that the Vikings have that most high school team’s only dream of is a kicking game. Freshman Tyson Werner gives N-K a solid opportunity to put seven on the board instead of having to go for two.

Next up for the Vikings is North Butler who is 0-3 and has been out scored 113 to 21. Look for N-K to run up big numbers on the ground and move to 3-1 on the year.

Key stats: Season record 2-1. Phillip Fierova 135 yards rushing and two TD’s last week. Kyle Christensen 11 solo tackles.

Alden-Conger vs. Hills-Beaver Creek/Ellsworth

The Knights rebounded from a 41-32 loss in week two and took out their frustration on Truman with a 44-13 win last week. A-C erupted for 28 second half points a week ago to run their record to 2-1.

A-C has been a little bit of everything this season, one game they are a running team, the next they are pass happy. Lucas Kleinschrodt opened up the passing attack last week with 185 yards and two TD’s through the air.

That balanced attack will be fully tested this week as the Knights host H-BC/E. The Patriots are 3-0 and have a big win over Edgerton under its belt this season. This one will be close if the Knights play the kind of football they are capable of, if not; the Patriots will be ready to pounce.

Key stats: Season record 2-1. Lucas Kleinschrodt two TD’s passing, one on the ground in last weeks win.

Albert Lea vs. Mankato East

After starting the season at 1-0 the Tigers fell to 1-2 on the year with a 47-12 loss last week to Mankato West, the fourth ranked team in Class 4A. Despite the loss the Tigers may have found a passing game to compliment their ground attack.

Last week against the Scarlets A.L. quarterback Cody Hanson connected on four passes for 141 yards.

Mankato East comes to A.L. Friday, and while the Cougars aren’t the team that West is, they nonetheless have beaten the Tigers by a combined score of 141-39 in the two teams’ last four meetings, including a 48-0 blowout last year.

Key stats: Season record 1-2. Cody Hanson 141 yards passing last week.

Lake Mills vs. Garner-Hayfield

A week after the Bulldogs Tyler Olson broke a vertebra on the opening kickoff, LM used that emotion to whip St. Ansgar 19-14 for its first win of the season, a win that Bulldogs coach Bill Byrnes called the biggest win of his career.

The Bulldogs running game, after a slow start this season, is finally getting back to where fans expect it to be. Jake Brekken had 120 yards in the first half last week and ended the game with 213 yards, only the second area player to go over the 200 yard mark this season, NRHEG’s Greg Ramaker has done it twice.

The Bulldogs take on a familiar opponent this week in North Iowa Conference rival Garner-Hayfield. LM has beaten the Cardinals (1-2) three of the last four years, including a 47-20 win a year ago. The last time G-H overcame the Bulldogs running game was a 30-0 win in 2004.

Key stats: Season record 1-2. First year with a losing record after three games since 2004. Jake Brekken 75 carries for 356 yards on the year.

United South Central vs. Lake Crystal/Wellcome Memorial

The Rebels lost big to Martin County West 24-0 last week to drop to 0-3 on the year.

This Friday they face a new opponent on the schedule for this year in LC/WM who is also winless at 0-3. The Knights have given up 53.3 per game.

Look for offensive coordinator Brad Huse and head coach Brent Schimek to give second year QB Riley Swearingen all the tools he needs to get the Rebels in the win column for the first time this year.

Key stats: Season record 0-3. Started season 0-3 for second time in last four years.

Glenville-Emmons at Lanesboro

The Wolverines played perhaps their best football of the season last week against Leroy-Ostrander when they trailed just 7-6 at the half before losing 26-6.

This week G-E faces another tough opponent in 1-2 Lanesboro. The Borros have beaten the Wolverines twice in the last two years by a combined score of 91-30, or 45.5 to 15.

The only consolation G-E has is that the Burros are struggling this year also, having lost two in a row coming into this week. That could be good for the Wolverines but it will more than likely give Lanesboro more incentive to get back to it winning ways.

Key stats: Season record 0-3.