The top two teams in the Southern Division of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference highlights this weekend in NJCAA football when No. 9 Central Lakes College travels to Worthington to take on Minnesota West.
The Raiders and Bluejays boast the best overall records in the conference with CLC 6-0 and Minnesota West 5-1.
The schools have met just 15 times. CLC has an 8-7 advantage thanks to a 55-28 victory last year in Brainerd.
A look at the Raiders
Central Lakes head coach Greg Medeck is in his second season at the helm. Last season he led the Raiders to a 7-4 record and an appearance in the MCAC championship game where CLC lost to Rochester.
The Raiders, who defeated Fergus Falls 21-7 last weekend, are guided by 2007 honorable mention All-American quarterback Mike Beehler, who threw for more than 2,400 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. This season, Beehler leads the MCAC and ranks fifth in the NJCAA with 1,234 passing yards and nine touchdowns.
Raiders' quarterback Mike Beehler leads the MCAC in passing yards.
Beehler has benefited from having two top-flight receivers in Kitzman is the big-play threat for the Raiders, averaging 28 yards per catch. He has caught just eight passes this season, for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
The Raiders rank second the Southern Division in total offense, averaging 385.2 yards.
CLC's defense is just as strong, ranking second in the division (195.3 yards a game). The Raiders allow just over 13 points a game, while their offensive teammates are averaging 26 points.
Linebackers Nick Kiphuth and Caleb Forstram lead the team in tackles with 55 and 44 stops, respectively. They have combined for three sacks.
Defensive end Chase Miron leads the conference with four sacks while also recording 26 tackles. Safety Dusty Parker is tied for fourth in the nation with four interceptions to go along with 19 tackles.
A look at the Bluejays
Head coach Jeff Linder and the Bluejays are off to one of their best starts and are coming off a thrilling 37-33 victory over Ridgewater.
The Bluejays needed a late fourth-quarter 86-yard drive to pull out the victory. With 22 seconds remaining, Lon Garfield scrambled into the end zone on a quarterback keeper to give the Bluejays the win.
Garfield ranks second to Beehler in passing (1,075 yards). He leads the division with 10 touchdowns, and is also tops in the league with 10 interceptions. Garfield also has rushed for 230 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bluejays rank third in the division in total offense, averaging 342.3 yards.
Wide receivers Antonio Williams and Logan Korkow have been Garfield's main targets. Williams has caught 17 passes for 292 yards and four touchdowns. Korkow has 22 receptions for 317 and three scores.
Travaris Pickens and James Sebea lead the Bluejays in rushing. They have combined for 585 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bluejay defense is giving up 22 points and close to 300 total yards a game. They are led by linebackers Cory Polz and Chaz Powell. Polz leads the team with 57 tackles, Powell ranks second with 38.
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