The future of Section 5A, barring another wave of realignment, rests at least in part in the mitts of these two teams, who are among the short list of favorites to reach the section title game this season — and beyond.
Both No. 16-1A St. Cloud Cathedral (2-3-0) and No. 11-1A Little Falls (3-2-0) have sophomores among their leading scorers, with Joey Gillespie leading Cathedral in goals (4) and points (6) and Joey Welinski among Little Falls’ leaders with four goals and one assist. Cathedral’s John Hirschfeld, who has two assists, might be the best of the bunch.
Cathedral managed just one goal in its first three games — all losses — but has scored seven in each of its last two outings, victories over Princeton and Duluth Marshall. Little Falls has scored a combined 13 goals in victories over top-20 programs Alexandria and Chisago Lakes in its last two games.