Sports

Stillwater Takes on Cretin-Derham Hall on ESPN2: A Minnesota First

The Ponies (2-0) travel to St. Paul Friday night to tangle with Cretin-Derham Hall (1-1) in a big-time SEC matchup that will be nationally televised on ESPN2. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

If you’re not able to head to University of St. Thomas, you can watch Minnesota’s first nationally televised prep football game starting at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

When Stillwater and Cretin-Derham Hall tangle, there is always conference implications on the line.

Find out what's happening in Stillwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Since 2005, when Cretin-Derham Hall joined the SEC, the Raiders have won five conference championships—while the Ponies have captured four titles.

The all-time series between the two SEC powerhouses is 6-6. Cretin-Derham Hall handed Stillwater its only regular season loss last year.

Find out what's happening in Stillwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Ponies (2-0) began the season with a 26-7 road win at Park Cottage Grove and followed that up with a 35-0 shutout against Forest Lake in last week's home opener. The Raiders (1-1) lost their season opener at home to Roseville 15-12, and beat up on Hastings last week 56-6.

Neither team is ranked in the Associated Press Top 10, but both squads did receive votes.

The game is in the spotlight because of Jashon Cornwell, the Raiders defensive end, who ESPN ranks as the No. 1 2015 recruit in the country, WCCO reports.

About a month ago, ESPN contacted Cretin-Derham Hall with the idea, the Pioneer Press reports. Stillwater was then brought into the conversation for planning purposes.

"We are grateful for the opportunity," Ponies Head Coach Beau LaBore told the Pioneer Press. "We also know this is a big game."

In addition to working hard on the field, in the weight room, and in the film room to prepare for Friday night’s game, the Ponies spent the week posing for photos and filling out questionnaires that will be used during the live broadcast.

“I think our players will show up and see some of the pomp and circumstance that goes with an ESPN2 broadcast and it will be a reminder,” LaBore told the Stillwater Gazette. “I’m going to trust they’re going to be mentally prepared for why ESPN is there and that’s to watch a good football game. When we start the warm-up, our guys will be focused on the football game and do what they’ve been coached and prepared to do. When it’s all said and done, whether it’s being broadcast on KLBB, FSN North or ESPN2, there’s a good opponent across from us and there’s a lot on the line.”

Read the Star Tribune’s story about the Ponies-Raiders game.

The game will be announced by ESPN analyst Rene Ingoglia and play-by-play commentator Adam Amin.

The program is part of ESPN's initiative to air nine weeks of the nation’s best high school football games during the 11th annual GEICO ESPN High School Football Showcase.

You can tune into the game on channel 24 on Xfinity by Comcast in the Stillwater area or channel 209 on DirecTV. The game can also be found online if you are an Xfinity customer.

2013 Schedule

  • Thursday, Aug. 29 at Park Cottage Grove (W 27-6)
  • Friday, Sept. 6 vs. Forest Lake (W 35-0)
  • Friday, Sept. 13 at Cretin-Derham Hall (University of St. Thomas) 7 p.m. LIVE on ESPN2
  • Friday, Sept. 20 vs. Hastings
  • Friday, Sept. 27 at Mounds View
  • Friday, Oct. 4 vs. Roseville
  • Friday, Oct. 11 at East Ridge
  • Wednesday, Oct. 16 vs. White Bear Lake 


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