By STUART GROSKREUTZ
Friday, October 7, 2011

Homecoming is a long-running tradition for the Stillwater Ponies, but their history with Friday's opponent is not. The Ponies are hoping to bounce back from their Week 5 loss at Mounds View when they host East Ridge for the inaugural game between these Suburban East Conference schools. The Raptors (1-4 SEC, 1-4), who finished alone in fourth place behind conference co-champions Stillwater, Mounds View and Cretin-Derham Hall a year ago, enters their third season of existence. East Ridge was blanked by Hastings 9-0 last week while the Ponies (3-2, 3-2) fell to Mounds View 21-14. East Ridge picked up its lone victory in Week 2 with a 28-10 triumph over Forest Lake. Two of East Ridge's losses came at the hands of league-leader Cretin-Derham Hall (27-6) and Mounds View (17-0). Prior to their loss against Hastings, the Raptors also suffered a 35-34 double-overtime loss against Woodbury.

East Ridge is leading the conference while allowing just 207.2 yards per game this season, but also rank nine out of 10 league teams on offense at just 255.4 yards per game. The defense has been stingy despite forcing just three turnovers through five games. The Raptors are allowing just 3.1 yards per rush. Quarterback Brandon Johnson has completed 36 of 88 passes (40.9 percent) for 444 yards and three touchdowns with five interceptions. His favorite targets are Luke Milsna with 13 catches for 133 yards (10.2 avg.) and one touchdown and Patrick Ubel with eight receptions for 103 yards (12.9 avg.) and one touchdown. Val Huerta leads the Raptors with 66 carries for 385 yards (5.8 avg.) and two touchdowns.

On paper at least, Stillwater's schedule over the next three weeks should provide an opportunity to finish strong as East Ridge, Roseville and Hastings have a combined 4-11 record - compared to an 18-7 mark for its first five opponents. The Ponies rank fourth in the conference while allowing 256.6 yards per game - including a league-low 75.8 passing yards per contest - but rank just seventh in total offense at 286 yards per game. Despite getting called for 63 yards in penalties against Mounds View, the Ponies have had a league-low 168 penalty yards marked off against them this season. Only Mounds View, however, has committed more turnovers than Stillwater's 12.

Nate Ricci returned for the Ponies last week after a sprained ankle sidelined him for the Forest Lake game and he showed his versatility while catching five passes for 102 yards (20.4 avg.) and rushed for 41 yards on eight attempts (5.1 avg.). Junior Aaron Romportl has connected on 10 of 28 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns with five interceptions while making two starts at quarterback. Joshua Weess has seven receptions for 122 yards (17.4 avg.) and two touchdowns. Nick Anderson leads Stillwater's rushing attack with 431 yards on 102 carries (4.2 avg.) with four touchdowns while Ricci has carried 57 yards for 255 yards and two scores.

On the other side of the ball, Zach Krenz and Charlie Register each led the Ponies with 22 defensive points in the loss to Mounds View. Krenz provided six solo tackles and two assists and a forced fumble. Cartier Alexander and Evan Ostrom each finished with seven solo tackles while Register made five solo stops and also returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown.