2014-15 Section 4A Preview

This is the 13th preview in my 2014-2015 season preview series.  103 individual team and 11 conference previews are completed.  Now I move on to phase 2 of the previews.  Over the next 2+ weeks, I'll take a look at 12 metro area sections.  It starts with a look at Section 4A.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 4A
Defending Champion: Maranatha (2014 state 3rd place)

Predicted Seeding

1. Minneapolis North
2. Maranatha 
3. Southwest Christian
4. Legacy
5. MTS

This section boils down to the matchup at the top between Maranatha and Minneapolis North.  Both are loaded and contenders for a state championship.  Maranatha won the section final in a tight game last year.  We'll get a preview of that likely showdown on January 17th at Minneapolis North.  As to the rest of the section you can pencil in MTS, CHOF and the 9 other MCAA schools next in line.  The 10 MCAA schools, MTS and CHOF are a mind-blowing 48-0 against the EMAC over the last 3 seasons.  That includes 25-0 last year.  Southwest Christian and Legacy should be the next MCAA teams in line in the seeding.  MTS, CHOF and Cristo Rey should all be in the 5-10 range.  Bethany is looking at an 11 or 12.  EMAC schools, Math and Science and Learning for Leadership should fill in below that.  The fun question is will the EMAC champion get a higher seed than the last place team in the MCAA.  Last year PACT got the 12 seed after going 0-13 in MCAA play while Christian Life got the 11 after a 12-1 EMAC campaign.

Sleeper:  None.  This section was pure chalk last year except for the notorious bracket busting 5 vs 12 game where PACT pulled the upset at West Lutheran.  Maranatha and North are so superior to every one else in this section there's no compelling reason to go another direction.

Section Winner: Minneapolis North.  Hard to go against either Maranatha or Minneapolis North with the success that their coaches have had.  But Minneapolis North is a deeper team with a year under McKenzie's system.  I think that depth and the hunger to avenge last year's loss drives the Polars all the way to a state championship.