Central (0-1) at Mahtomedi (0-1), 7 p.m.

It simply took too long for Central’s offense to get going last week in a loss to Bloomington Kennedy. The Minutemen still figure to have plenty of firepower this season via quarterback Allan Lankford Jr. and running back Lavontae Cox.

But will Central be able to generate enough space up front for those two to operate against a Mahtomedi defense that struggled Week 1 against Brainerd? The Zephyrs tend to improve exponentially with each passing week. Our pick: Mahtomedi 28, Central 13

Woodbury (1-0) at Stillwater (0-1), 7 p.m.

Woodbury rallied from a double-digit halftime deficit to down Roseville in Week 1, but the Royals really struggled to run the ball, averaging just three yards per carry.

Stillwater, on the other hand, established its ground game with Emilio Rosario-Matias, even in a loss to Lakeville North. That bodes well for the Ponies as the season progresses, and star quarterback Nick Kinsey establishes connections with his new receiving corps. Our pick: Stillwater 28, Woodbury 17

White Bear Lake (0-1) at Mounds View (0-1), 7 p.m.

Week 2 is no time to panic, but neither of these teams wants to drop to 0-2, particularly considering the strength of their upcoming schedules.

Mounds View’s issue a week ago was slowing down a mobile quarterback in Farmington’s Jonah Ask. White Bear Lake signal caller Oluwatomi Animasaun is good in the pocket, but he’s also capable of stressing a defense with his legs. Our pick: Mounds View 31, White Bear Lake 24