No. 5 Edgewood-Colesburg vs. No. 3 Avoca AHSTW: Class A semifinal preview and picks

No. 5 Edgewood-Colesburg (10-1) takes on No. 3 Avoca AHSTW (11-0) in a Class A prep football semifinal Friday at the UNI-Dome.

Kickoff time: 1 p.m.

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Playoff path: Ed-Co blew past BGM in the first round, 58-21, then upset second-ranked Algona Garrigan, 6-0, in the quarterfinals. AHSTW held off Alta-Aurelia in the first round, 30-28, and Mason City Newman in the semifinals, 31-14.

Overview: Will Preston Rochford play for Ed-Co? That answer, unfortunately, is no.

The senior back has accounted for 2,212 yards rushing and receiving this season and 32 touchdowns. He had 401 yards rushing and five TDs against BGM, but was injured after one carry against Garrigan and did not play the rest of the way.

Ethan Streicher's 35-yard TD pass to Spencer Staner accounted for that game's lone points.

Ed-Co's loss came in the season opener against 1A playoff qualifier Bellevue, 41-20.

Running back Gabe Pauley has had a great postseason thus far for AHSTW, rushing for 165 yards and four TDs against Alta-Aurelia and adding 178 yards and two touchdowns against Newman. He has 1,595 yards and 24 TDs this season.

Quarterback Blake Osbahr has thrown for 1,941 and 28 TDs. Drake Partridge has 33 receptions, including 14 touchdowns.

Pregame feature: Ed-Co success extends to the football field

Predictions: Edgewood-Colesburg vs. Avoca AHSTW

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com