Thursday provides a heavy slate of Week 1 contests for the Minnesota high school football season. Well, at least they’re scheduled for Thursday. The prospect of weather on Thursday evening is already causing shifting of game times, with some contests already being moved up to afternoon kickoffs and other games pushing back to Friday.

Stillwater at Lakeville North, 7 p.m.

Two Class 6A state tournament teams from a year ago who should have similarly high expectations again this fall. Just how good will they be? Thursday will be an excellent gauge.

The Ponies return a lot defensively, and Stillwater’s passing game is often a bear to defend in August. But star quarterback Nick Kinsey will have to establish new connections with pass catchers.

On the flip side, Riley Grossman is back for his fourth year under center for Lakeville North, and all of his weapons return. Lakeville North’s passing game could be something to write home about this fall. Our pick: Lakeville North 31, Stillwater 21

St. Thomas Academy at Andover, 7 p.m.

Both teams fell in overtime to Chanhassen at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2023 – Andover in the Class 5A semis, and the Cadets in the Prep Bowl. Both also lost all-world skill position talents to graduation, as Cadets running back Savion Hart and Andover quarterback Chase Pemberton are onto the next step.

But Andover’s Hudson Maynard was excellent filling in when Pemberton was injured last season. That experience should help the Huskies come out of the gates fast, even against a St. Thomas Academy secondary featuring standouts like Avery Buckner and Finn Benz.

But don’t count the loser of this game out by any stretch. St. Thomas Academy fell by 26 to Andover in last season’s opener, and it did nothing to deter the Cadets. Our pick: Andover 31, St. Thomas Academy 28

Hill-Murray at Becker, 7 p.m.

Legendary Becker coach Dwight Lundeen could notch career win No. 400 on Thursday, but it won’t come easy. Not against a Pioneers team that reached the Class 4A state tournament last season.

Hill-Murray returns a few key skill players, including quarterback Jackson Reeves. But he’ll have to navigate potentially rough waters in the early going as a brand-new offensive line finds its bearing. That’s not a dream recipe when opening the season against a perennial powerhouse. Our pick: Becker 21, Hill-Murray 14

Mounds View at Farmington, 7 p.m.

Two potentially dangerous teams in Class 6A, Farmington returns a boatload of skill position players on offense, while Mounds View was a feisty young squad in 2023 that will be experienced this fall and has returning starters in many key areas on the field.

The Mustangs have the potential to win the Metro East this year. Our pick: Mounds View 24, Farmington 18

East Ridge at Park, 6 p.m.

East Ridge lost a lot from last year’s Class 6A state tournament team, so perhaps this is a chance for Park to pull off an upset against its district rival? If nothing else, it will be interesting to see how the Raptors’ offensive approach shifts following the graduation of star quarterback Tanner Zolnosky.

And Park’s high-powered offense is always good for a show. Our pick: East Ridge 35, Park 20