By Nick Gerhardt
It’s been 20 years since a state tournament host has hoisted the state championship trophy when the Jordan Brewers did it. They’ve got a chance to do it again this year as the No. 1-ranked team in the final poll of the season.
The Brewers hold the top seed in Region 6C as well and will try to claim their first state title since 2019. A championship this season would mark the fifth overall for the organization and put Jordan closer to among the teams with the most state titles. Minnetonka owns the record with 15, followed by Cold Spring’s nine, Columbia Heights’ eight and Austin’s seven.
Getting there is another story as we saw with Delano last season when it hosted the 100th anniversary of the state tournament. There’s plenty of competition this season with a loaded top 10.
Teams from the Crow River Valley League, Victory League and North Star League stand out as those challengers. Young America leads the charge after claiming the No. 2 ranking in this poll after climbing from the No. 5 spot in the last rankings. New Ulm rose a spot to No. 3 and will attempt another long run through the state tournament should the Brewers reach.
Nisswa climbed two spots from last time to No. 5 and the Lightning share the spot with league rival Buckman after defeating the Billygoats twice this season. The 2022 state champion has started to show its postseason prowess.
Buffalo, the top seed in Region 12 and North Star League champ, grabbed the No. 7 spot in this poll after entering at No. 10 in the last poll. Next up is another CRVL team in Watertown, which dropped to No. 8 after holding the No. 5 spot last time. Avon took the No. 9 spot out of the Victory League and Waconia laid claim to the No. 10 spot.
We’ll see how it all shakes out in the next two weeks and reveal the matchups for the state tournament Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. on the MBA YouTube channel. Be sure to like and subscribe ahead of time so you don’t miss any of the pairings for the 2024 state tournament in Jordan, Belle Plaine, Green Isle and Shakopee that kicks off Aug. 16.
Aaron Worm — Mankato
1. Jordan Brewers (23-3) — Defeated Delano, the winners of the RVL again and champions in 2019, are my favorite right now to win in 2024.
2. Nisswa Lightning — Knocked off Buckman, to win their division heading into region play. The 2022 champs led by Nate DeChaine, are clicking right now.
3. Young America Cardinals — As someone that grew up watching the Cards, glad they are back in Class C, and are primed to contend for the title with a 20-1 league record.
4. Watertown Red Devils (19-2) — On the season in the Crow, the league always is stacked.
5. Buckman Billygoats — Fell to Nisswa in division playoffs, but are always dangerous coming out of one of the best leagues in the state.
6. New Ulm Brewers — 15-1 in Tomahawk, one of my favorite towns to visit and watch townball.
7. Bird Island Bullfrogs — Have won five of six since losing to Jordan and are 14-4 on the season.
8. Waconia Lakers — I usually only put at a max two teams from each league in my top 10, but the Crow has three teams that have just dominated, including the Lakers at 18-3 league play.
9. Avon Lakers — Going to break my max of two teams from each league here as well. One loss on the season, winners of their division, watch out for these guys at state.
10. Buffalo Bulldogs — In the month of July, Buffalo beat Delano, Hutchinson and Maple Lake
Kip Kovar — Herald Journal
1. Buckman Billygoats
2. Young America Cardinals
3. Jordan Brewers
4. Buffalo Bulldogs
5. Bird Island Bullfrogs
6. Watertown Red Devils
7. New Ulm Brewers
8. Waconia Lakers
9. Delano Athletics
10. Raymond Rockets
Tom Elliott — West Central Tribune
1. Nisswa Lightning — Nisswa opens Region 8C play in Pierz against the Opole Bears.
2. Jordan Brewers — Jordan’s the top seed in 6C and opens play against Minnesota Lake.
3. Bird Island Bullfrogs — The top seed in Region 4C gets Norway Lake-Sunburg on Saturday in Willmar.
4. New Ulm Brewers — The top seed in Region 2C has opened with a 5-0 victory over Essig.
5. Buckman Billygoats — Buckman’s first Region 8C game is against the Randall Cubs.
6. Buffalo Bulldogs — Buffalo is the top seed in Regino 12C and begins region play against Cokato.
7. St. Martin Martins — St. Martin opens Region 15C play in Watkins against the Spring Hill Chargers.
8. Young America Cardinals — Young America is the top seed in Region 7C and opened with a win over St. Boni.
9. Luverne Redbirds — Luverne’s the top seed in Region 13C and leads its best-of-three series with Lakefield, one game to none.
10. New Prague Orioles — The top seed in Region 3C.
Chad Knutson — Heron Lake Lakers
1. Young America Cardinals — Only one loss early to Carver. Won the Crow and look like the team to beat. Region 7 will be a gauntlet for them to get through with Watertown, Waconia and Plato.
2. New Ulm Brewers — Won the Tomahawk, deep pitching staff and swing it well. Solid core of guys. Courtland, Leavenworth are right there for Region 2 teams to make it
3. Jordan Brewers — Won the RVL, lost recently to Le Sueur, but perennial dangerous playoff team who will make a deep run. Waterville, Minnesota Lake or Eagle Lake in contention to make state.
4. Avon Lakers — One loss to a good Foley team in April. Won 18 straight, beat Nisswa and likely face Buckman or Nisswa for Region 8 title.
5. Buffalo Bulldogs — Playing extremely well, won the stacked North Star league. Delano, Hutch, Maple Lake and Loretto are all tough outs
6. Bird Island Bullfrogs — Last year’s state runners-up. Good young core and pitch well, Raymond and Atwater are tough out of Region 4.
7. Watertown Red Devils — 27 wins, can they make another run? Lots of experience.
8. Nisswa Lightning — First time having them in the top 10. Beat Buckman twice and could face them again. Always hard to beat.
9. Luverne Redbirds — 18 wins. Won the Gopher League. Deepest pitching staff in Region 13. Have the ability to have a great playoff run when their full roster is there. Same thing for Fairmont. Jackson and Windom. Will need to get timely hitting to beat them. Three of the four will go to state
10. Bemidji Blue Ox — One of the best teams in the north. 20 wins. My pick to win Region 10. Who will join them? Fergus Falls, Hibbing, Detroit Lakes or Dilworth.
Honorable Mention
Waconia Lakers. Buckman Billygoats , Delano Athletics, Fairmont Martins, Courtland Cubs, St. Martin Martins, Foley Lumberjacks, Waterville Indians, Union Hill Bulldogs, Hutchinson Huskies, Raymond Rockets, Leavenworth Orioles, Wanamingo Jacks, Princeton Panthers, Plato Blue Jays and Red Wing Aces.
Class C rankings (as of Aug. 2)(Pts)(Previous)
1. Jordan Brewers (35)(1)
2. Young America Cardinals (30)(T5)
3. New Ulm Brewers (25)(4)
4. Bird Island Bullfrogs (23)(3)
5. Nisswa Lightning (22)(7)
5. Buckman Billygoats (22)(2)
7. Buffalo Bulldogs (19)(T10)
8. Watertown Red Devils (16)(T5)
9. Avon Lakers (9)(NR)
10. Waconia Lakers (6)(9)
Also receiving votes: Luverne Redbirds, Delano Athletics, Raymond Rockets, St. Martin Martins, New Prague Orioles, Bemidji Blue Ox, Fairmont Martins, Cortland Cubs, Foley Lumberjacks, Waterville Indians, Union Hill Bulldogs, Hutchinson Huskies, Leavenworth Orioles, Wanamingo Jacks, Princeton Panthers, Plato Blue Jays and Red Wing Aces.
