To QRF or not to QRF? Star Tribune preps reporters David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen tackle the imperfect and sometimes "bloody" process of seeding football teams.

Talking Preps

Podcast: Plunging into the muck of prep football postseason seeding

Katie Aafedt, the Edina girls' coach, and Aaron Fenton with the Lakeville South boys' program, talk all things soccer with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque.

Podcast: Soccer coaches from Edina and Lakeville South discuss postseason outlook

Star Tribune prep sports reporters David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen debate how to best rank a football team. They also give props to a courageous tennis player, and the architect of Eden Prairie's football program.

Podcast: Plot thickens for football rankings and a courageous tennis player begins her final playoff run

Star Tribune's David LaVaque and Jim Paulsen talk running backs used more in the passing game and the stadiums where the Friday Night Lights shine brightest

Podcast: The best places to watch high school football in the Twin Cities

High school writes David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen take you inside the game as they try to unravel what they know and don't know about the Minnesota high school football season.

Some answers -- but more questions -- as we approach the midpoint of the football season

St. Thomas Academy and Cretin-Derham Hall clash once again, as Jim Paulsen and David La Vaque discuss in their second Taking Preps episode of fall 2021.

Podcast: A St. Paul football rivalry comes back to life

David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen talk about a 2021 season that begins with a feeling of normalcy.

Podcast: Our first talk of the season

A season that begin haltingly last fall and ground to halt in the winter finished up with spring sports state tournaments featuring clutch performances, cool story lines and a sense of, dare we say, normalcy that bodes well for next year, according to the Star Tribune's Jim Paulsen and David la Vaque.

Podcast: High school sports season ends up a winner as robust crowds return

A sweltering week of boys' tennis offered a preview of what will be a five-sport blizzard of tournaments next week, including a cast of newcomers among the lacrosse final eight boys' and girls' teams. Plus what Chet Holmgren's latest honor says about Minnesota high school basketball, from the Star Tribune's David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen.

Podcast: State tournament season heats up before it really gets started

Controversial boys' hockey coach Mike Randolph steps down amid an investigation, Trejuan Holloman steps up as a possible Gopher, and the Minnesota State High School League is showing financial improvement. The Star Tribune's Jim Paulsen and David La Vaque dissect it all in the latest Talking Preps.

Podcast: Hockey coach resigns under a cloud, promising recruit tests new Gopher coach's in-state appeal

With 50 years of journalism experience between them, the Star Tribune's David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen offer graduation season reflections about covering a sports world full of community, everyday athletes and occasional stars before their time with one common denominator: "Rarely,'' Jim says, "do you get a no-comment.''

Podcast: High school sports writing lacks pomp but offers plenty of memorable circumstance

The idea was to improve competitive balance starting this fall among the state's largest football programs, where state tournament runs are skewed in favor a minority of teams. But as the Star Tribune's David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen discuss, those efforts have some questioning how much it will help when it comes to always-contentious postseason seeding.

Podcast: Does the new Minnesota 6A football scheduling plan provide teams too much relief?

The Star Tribune's Jim Paulsen, under astute questioning from colleague David La Vaque, breaks down how a strongly backed proposal came up a few votes short at a key Minnesota State High School League meeting even as girls' wrestling was approved for a state tournament division.

Podcast: Why Minnesota high school boys' volleyball failed to get approved as a spring sport

The Star Tribune's Jim Paulsen and David La Vaque recount superlative efforts across Minnesota high school sports this spring and set up a key meeting to decide whether boys' volleyball and a girls' wrestling state tournament are a go.

Podcast: No-hitters, grand slams and key votes looming to decide a new sport and state tournament

Star Tribune prep reporters David La Vaque and James Paulsen are bringing all you Minnesota high school sports enthusiasts another way to stay connected to the action.

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Talking Preps

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