We’ll revive an old tradition and start a new one, all at once.

Thursday is the first day for football predictions by the Strib Varsity reporters; we revealed Strib Varsity earlier this month, just in time for the new school year. But the Star Tribune has long asked its high school football writers to predict winners and scores. It’s the reporters’ chance to pass on insights and info about the teams involved, to educate as they entertain.

Jim Paulsen and Marcus Fuller begin with four games from Week 1.

Thursday

East Ridge at Minnetonka, 7 p.m.

Marcus says: The Raptors went 3-1 in games away from home last season, which included winning at Class 6A state quarterfinalist Lakeville North. East Ridge returns senior quarterback Cedric Tomes, a Gophers basketball recruit, who had three touchdowns in that upset. But Minnetonka’s rushing attack, behind Iowa State recruit Caleb Francois, might be too tough to slow. The pick: Minnetonka 31, East Ridge 17

Jim says: Expect Minnetonka to be more balanced this fall. The Skippers advanced to the Class 6A championship game before falling to Maple Grove 28-21 on the legs of Francois, a 1,600-yard rusher as a read-option QB a year ago. Francois has been moved to running back, his natural position, hopefully allowing smooth-throwing junior QB Caden Gutzmer a chance to shine. Defensive coach and mastermind Matt Lombardi expects as many as 10 juniors on that side of the ball. The pick: Minnetonka 34, East Ridge 14

Maple Grove at Stillwater, 7 p.m.

Marcus says: Maple Grove is returning arguably the state’s top senior quarterback in South Dakota State recruit Kaden Harney. Stillwater lost starting QB Nick Kinsey, who transferred to a school in Ohio. The Ponies will rely heavily on tailback Emilio Rosario Matias to keep it competitive early, but the defending 6A champs will roll. The pick: Maple Grove 34, Stillwater 14

Jim says: These two teams got a taste of each other at Maple Grove’s scrimmage Saturday. Class 6A champion Crimson looked like a team prepared to defend its title, and Stillwater is getting back to its hard-nosed roots. But the Ponies just don’t have Maple Grove’s depth and talent. The pick: Maple Grove 38, Stillwater 21

Rocori at Totino-Grace, 7 p.m.

Marcus says: Rocori had a four-game winning streak last season that ended with a 30-14 loss to Class 4A champion Becker. The Eagles also had a winning streak ended by Becker, 24-8 in the Prep Bowl; they had won 12 consecutive games. This is a big test for both Rocori and Totino-Grace before each faces Becker again. Gophers recruit Andrew Trout and the Spartans pull off the upset. The pick: Rocori 21, Totino-Grace 17

Jim says: It’s a season of change for both teams. Totino-Grace revived memories of successes past by advancing to the Class 4A final in 2024, but the Eagles lost a lot to graduation, including 46 touchdowns and more than 3,500 total yards. James Herberg, who coached Rocori to the 2019 Class 4A state title, left to accept an assistant coaching position at nearby St. John’s University. But the Spartans have the top offensive line recruit in the state in Trout, and QB Max Fredin has a year of experience under his belt. The pick: Totino-Grace 20, Rocori 18

Friday

Becker at Orono, 7 p.m.

Marcus says: Becker senior Sawyer Brown is underappreciated. The 6-2 quarterback and defensive back threw, caught and intercepted passes last season while totaling 15 TDs, including a pick-six in the team’s Prep Bowl victory. Orono senior defensive end Simon Vinton will be a load off the edge coming after Brown. He led Class 4A with 10 sacks last season. The pick: Becker 24, Orono 14

Jim says: Becker coach Dwight Lundeen, a timeless wonder, enters his 56th season as the Bulldogs’ head coach, and he’s at the top of his game. The program is at a point where the Bulldogs rarely slide. Lundeen, the only head football coach in school history, is the second-winningest coach in state history with a 412-167-3 record. Slowing down? Nope. Three of Becker’s state titles have come since 2014, 53 of those victories in the past six years. Never underestimate Becker in big games. The pick: Becker 23, Orono 16