Author: David Shama

With acknowledgment to his status as the No. 1 prep football recruit in the country, Cretin Derham-Hall coach Mike Scanlan told Sports Headliners on Sunday that Raiders offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson could be “king of the Twin Cities” if Henderson decides to play for the Gophers.

Scanlan said Henderson, about 6-8, 330, will visit 2008 national champion Florida this weekend.  Rated the No. 1 prep prospect in the country regardless of position by Rivals. com and others, Henderson made an official recruiting visit to Southern California last weekend.

Scanlan was asked if he had insight about where Henderson will attend college. “No, I really don’t know,” he answered.  “I do think, though, the Gophers are in the mix.  He might not have made an official visit there but I think there’s a lure of staying close to home, and kind of if he signs with the U he’s king of the Twin Cities automatically.

“I like their line coach Tim Davis.  Seems like a good guy.  The head man I don’t pay as much attention to as your position coach because that’s who you’re going to live with and watch films so to speak.  So you gotta be able to get along with him, and I think Davis would be a good guy to play for, and I think Seantrel realizes that, too.”

Henderson reportedly will wait to announce his college choice in early February when high school players are allowed written commitments.  Scanlan believes Henderson’s focus is presently on these schools: Florida, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Southern California.

Asked if he expects Henderson to qualify academically for his college choice, Scanlan said:  “I think so.  He’s still working hard (in the classroom). …”

Henderson was invaluable in helping the Raiders to the state title.  Scanlan said that when the Raiders had to play without injured quarterback Mark Alt, Henderson’s run blocking was vital to the team’s success.  His pass blocking was perfect during the season, not giving up a sack in 230 attempts.

Henderson was named state Player of the Year by the Associated Press, although other news outlets chose different players for that honor.  “I think the true worth of his athletic ability is being demonstrated by the college attention that he is getting,” Scanlan said.

Set the dial on Ch. 5 tonight at 9 p.m. to see Brett Favre on “Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009.”

Favre, who appeared confused at times facing Arizona’s pass coverage in the 30-17 Vikings loss on Sunday night, remains a possibility for NFL MVP despite throwing two interceptions in the game.  NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth said early in Sunday night’s telecast that the 40-year-old Vikings quarterback is playing the “greatest football” of his career.

Rookie linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who replaced E.J. Henderson after he was injured in the Arizona game, was drafted by the Vikings on the fifth round this spring.  He only played three seasons at South Carolina where he started all 30 games.  He was second team all-SEC last season.

If Joe Mauer hasn’t signed a contract extension with the Twins before the team begins the regular season then it’s a great guess that negotiations really went “south.”

Mauer and new shortstop J.J. Hardy, acquired earlier in the fall from Milwaukee, were once teammates playing for the USA Junior National team.

The Twins cleared (at least temporarily) their glut of outfielders by sending Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee for Hardy.  But two of the organization’s best prospects are outfielders Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks.

Food offerings at Target Field will have a Minnesota taste including a Murray’s steak sandwich selling for about $10.  Murray’s Restaurant downtown has been known for its steaks since 1946.

Nice fit: Tom Tipton, a former Morgan State basketball player whose rich singing voice has been heard around town for years, was scheduled to perform the national anthem last night prior to the Gophers-Morgan State game.

Former Gopher Travis Busch, who had surgery last summer for a torn ACL, played in his first game for Colorado State on Saturday and helped the Rams defeat Denver.  https://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13938220.

Gustavus junior guard Phil Wirtjes made a 50-foot shot with 0.8 seconds left in overtime to allow the Gusties to defeat Concordia (Moorhead) 57-54 last Saturday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_MUfQ5M8G4

The Gophers are headed to the Insight Bowl for the third time in four years.  Minnesota was in repeat mode earlier this decade, too, making three trips in four years to the Music City Bowl.  Here’s the rest of the school’s bowl history: Rose and Sun bowls twice, with one trip each to the Hall of Fame, Independence, Liberty, and Micronpc.com bowls.

To publicize the December 31 Insight Bowl, Gophers coach Tim Brewster and Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads will ring the NASDAQ opening bell in New York City next Monday morning.  Insight Investments is a technology company and its stock is listed on the NASDAQ.

Minnetonka nose guard Beau Allen might be the best defensive prep lineman in the state.  Michigan and the Gophers are among schools that have made scholarship offers.

Last night’s loss to the Cardinals in Arizona left the 10-2 Vikings in need of a “holiday gift” to earn home field advantage in the playoffs.  With four weeks of the NFL schedule remaining, 12-0 New Orleans looks like a solid bet to be at home through the NFC playoffs including a possible conference championship game against the Vikings with the winner going to the Super Bowl.

The Vikings have Cincinnati (9-3) at home next Sunday, then consecutive road games with Carolina (5-7) and Chicago (5-7), before ending the regular season in the Metrodome against the New York Giants (7-5).  The Saints are at Atlanta (6-6) next Sunday, then have consecutive home games with Dallas (8-4) and Tampa Bay (1-11) before finishing the regular season on the road at Carolina.

The Vikings’ remaining opponents are a combined 26-22.  The Saints’ opposition is 20-28.

The Vikings obviously face the challenge of not only having two more losses than the Saints, but Minnesota’s remaining schedule might prove to be the more difficult including the Cincinnati game and a “Weather Bowl” matchup in Chicago.  Cincinnati has a rushing defense that ranks second in the NFL giving up only 81.8 yards per game. The Bengals have balance in their offense with quarterback Carson Palmer throwing and multiple quality runners including Cedric Benson, the former Bear.  The Bengals and the Vikings have faced common opponents including Pittsburgh, one of only two  teams to defeat Minnesota.  Cincinnati has two wins over the Steelers this season.

The Vikings’ games with Chicago and the Giants make for interesting speculation.  The Vikings embarrassed the Bears here, winning 36-10.  But who knows what kind of factor the weather will be in Chicago on December 28 for that Monday night game.  Football lore is filled with upsets by lowly teams who took advantage of help from the weather gods.

Before the season the Giants were thought to be among the elite teams in the NFC.  It’s been peaks and valleys so far.  As one NFL source told Sports Headliners, “Who knows which Giants team will show up here?”

That’s a good question, but there’s no doubt about these last few weeks holding intrigue for Vikings fans.  Coach Brad Childress and his players just wish Arizona had gift wrapped a win for them last night.