2024 MN High School Football thread

[denguegopher]

back in the day, there was a perception that living in Rochester was really expensive, because the businesses think that everyone is a wealthy doctor or a rich patient. I have no idea if that holds any iota of reality, but that was the idea. there is a lot of money going into this 'Destination Medical Center' project, but with growth comes a demand for more services.

read an article a while back that the City Council in Rochester was talking about the need to hire more police officers and that expense was having a major impact on the city budget.

I grew up there. Finished high school in '76. My family was not wealthy, similar to the families of my friends. Went to Mayo High and met a ton of doctor's kids for the first time. I learned that for the most part they were very nice people, after growing up with the impression that they were snobby. Live and learn. I'm still under the impression that its not that all that expensive there. One of my sisters lives there and the other taught there for about 25 years. Neither regularly mentioned a high cost of housing or living. But an old classmate was city council for several years, and one of his issues was affordable housing. With the growth there will surely be a need for more services.

 

[prespsguy]

Since this state is ridiculous and there are apparently no real class rankings as of yet, I decided to try myself and do a top ten for 6A. Feel free to add your top ten for 6A or lower classes or just rip away at mine:

1.) Edina
2.) Maple Grove
3.) Lakeville North
4.) Minnetonka
5.) Blaine
6.) Shakopee
7.) Eden Prairie
8.) Centennial
9.) Wayzata
10.) Lakeville South

 

[MNVCGUY]

Since this state is ridiculous and there are apparently no real class rankings as of yet, I decided to try myself and do a top ten for 6A. Feel free to add your top ten for 6A or lower classes or just rip away at mine:

1.) Edina
2.) Maple Grove
3.) Lakeville North
4.) Minnetonka
5.) Blaine
6.) Shakopee
7.) Eden Prairie
8.) Centennial
9.) Wayzata
10.) Lakeville South

I don't follow the rest of the teams close enough to know how good/bad this top 10 is but I will say that if Lakeville North is the #3 team then Rosemount probably deserves a spot in the top 10 as they were right there with North on Friday night and easily could have come away with the victory.

 

[FireDaveLee]

Mason West to Myer Swinney is going to be an issue for a lot of teams this season .

I was at game. EP definitely needs to figure some other method of offense against Edina as this is now 2 times in a row Edina has dared EP to throw the ball.

I do think EP found a little something offensively in the 2nd half in case they play again. The problem is if they played again, I don't see how EP can stop Edina defensively. Unless they figure something out in terms of pressure, Edina can pass as much as they want against EP (to be fair, I think Edina may be able to do that to every team they play).

4.5 yards per play, long grinding drive, keep West off the field, hopefully have the ball last. That's probably the only recipe I can see for EP.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Since this state is ridiculous and there are apparently no real class rankings as of yet, I decided to try myself and do a top ten for 6A. Feel free to add your top ten for 6A or lower classes or just rip away at mine:

1.) Edina
2.) Maple Grove
3.) Lakeville North
4.) Minnetonka
5.) Blaine
6.) Shakopee
7.) Eden Prairie
8.) Centennial
9.) Wayzata
10.) Lakeville South

1. Edina
2. Maple Grove
3. Minnetonka
4. Lakeville North
5. Eden Prairie
6. Blaine
7. Shakopee
8. Wayzata
9. Lakeville South
10. Rosemount/Prior Lake

 

[prespsguy]

I don't follow the rest of the teams close enough to know how good/bad this top 10 is but I will say that if Lakeville North is the #3 team then Rosemount probably deserves a spot in the top 10 as they were right there with North on Friday night and easily could have come away with the victory.

Fair point. I'd be fine swapping South and Rosemount but frankly in a few weeks I see them both as top ten teams.

 

[MNfootballfan]

It's already official. Also...

Currently, growing student enrollment has expanded our athletic/activity program so much that teams are traveling more often and further away to meet competition needs. Transportation costs are also quickly rising making it more challenging to maintain such a varied schedule.

Transportation my ass.

Not sure if transportation is being used as an excuse to justify the move, but I'd be willing bet that transportation costs is the most expensive part of any athletic budget in the metro area.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Not sure if transportation is being used as an excuse to justify the move, but I'd be willing bet that transportation costs is the most expensive part of any athletic budget in the metro area.

Transportation in that they are playing teams that can provide the same levels of play that they offer. Currently they have to travel split and pay double if an opponent can match them for play.

Example: If they play Lake schools, they will be able to match for football. V/JV 10A/10B and 9A/9B. 10th and 9th grade A/B will travel together and play a double header. Currently when they play Coon Rapids, Osseo, Anoka, and possibly Champlin, they don't have a B team and have to find another opponent.

 

[swede2]

5A is pretty open this year. I'm not sure these teams are as good as last year. We shall see. Moorhead might be best team in 5A.

West doesn't have a QB this year so the offense is pretty one dimensional.

 

[MaxyJR1]

West doesn't have a QB this year so the offense is pretty one dimensional.

East might be able to win that section this year. They have talent, but have an easier schedule. We'll see how it plays out.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Moorhead with big wins over Spring Lake Park (55-25) and Rogers (41-7) to start the season.
2-0 Showdown with Bemidji this week.
15 teams are 2-0 in 5A and a lot of them play each other this year.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Some of the undefeated battles this week.
6A:
Edina at Minnetonka on Thursday.
5A:
Armstrong at Cooper
Bemidji at Moorhead
Alexandria at St. Cloud Tech
4A :
Totino Grace at Hutch
Becker at Holy Angels
3A:
St. Croix Lutheran at Holy Family
Pequot Lakes at Two Harbors
2A: Caledonia at Chatfield
Kimball at Paynesville
Pelican Rapids at Barnsville

 

[short ornery norwegian]

on the rankings - does anyone know what happened to the AP football poll? that was the 'official' state football poll as long as I've been back in the state (since 1997).

like any poll, it's not perfect, but they did try to get voters from each class who knew something about the teams. my former boss at the radio station was a voter for a couple of years.

now, you have the MN football Hub doing ratings, I think Max Preps does ratings, and the Strib does whatever the heck they do. then there's MN Scores.net with their QRF. but I don't think any of those have the recognition that the AP poll had.

 

[MNfootballfan]

Transportation in that they are playing teams that can provide the same levels of play that they offer. Currently they have to travel split and pay double if an opponent can match them for play.

Example: If they play Lake schools, they will be able to match for football. V/JV 10A/10B and 9A/9B. 10th and 9th grade A/B will travel together and play a double header. Currently when they play Coon Rapids, Osseo, Anoka, and possibly Champlin, they don't have a B team and have to find another opponent.

That is exactly what I was thinking as well. Transportation costs are through the roof - especially when you have to split teams/programs to get the games in.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Now the question becomes how will 6A do scheduling and what will sections look like for 25-26 and 26-27 rotation.

6A does section football which unless they move sections, Maple Grove is not helped by the conference change.

Wonder if they will go back to the Maroon and Gold with Top 16 enrollments playing and the bottom 16 enrollments playing.

Maybe an Andover or Moorhead pushes Maple Grove to another section.

Personally I really like the section play and current set up. Play your rivals during the season and then play others in the early playoffs, with the potential of seeing rivals in the state tournament.

 

[disco]

Transportation in that they are playing teams that can provide the same levels of play that they offer. Currently they have to travel split and pay double if an opponent can match them for play.

Example: If they play Lake schools, they will be able to match for football. V/JV 10A/10B and 9A/9B. 10th and 9th grade A/B will travel together and play a double header. Currently when they play Coon Rapids, Osseo, Anoka, and possibly Champlin, they don't have a B team and have to find another opponent.

Ok, that makes sense. I hadn't thought of getting games for the younger teams.

 

[disco]

on the rankings - does anyone know what happened to the AP football poll? that was the 'official' state football poll as long as I've been back in the state (since 1997).

like any poll, it's not perfect, but they did try to get voters from each class who knew something about the teams. my former boss at the radio station was a voter for a couple of years.

now, you have the MN football Hub doing ratings, I think Max Preps does ratings, and the Strib does whatever the heck they do. then there's MN Scores.net with their QRF. but I don't think any of those have the recognition that the AP poll had.

The Strib runs MN Football Hub.
Max preps in my opinion, is garbage in this state at least.

There was an AP poll last season but I wonder if they don't wait until after game 2 or 3 to release the first poll.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Probably going to have to wait until Minnesota-Scores puts out the first QRF ranking. I thought I saw that the AP was no longer doing HS polls, but I could be dreaming that up.

 

[Maverick_52]

East might be able to win that section this year. They have talent, but have an easier schedule. We'll see how it plays out.

I saw Waconia beat STA by 4 TD's. They might be the best team in the section.

 

[MaxyJR1]

I saw Waconia beat STA by 4 TD's. They might be the best team in the section.

Fun run coming as Waconia has WEST, Chanhassen and EAST the next 3 weeks.

 

[prespsguy]

6A Prediction time. Some of these are really tough. Let's hear your thoughts.....

Prior Lake @ Eden Prairie
Edina @ Minnetonka
Shakopee @ Wayzata
Blaine @ Anoka
Park of Cottage Grove @ Buffalo
Maple Grove @ Centennial
Osseo @ Champlin Park
Stillwater @ East Ridge
Rochester Mayo @ Farmington
Eastview @ Hopkins
Lakeville North @ Lakeville South
Forest Lake @ Mounds View
Eagan @ Rosemount
Burnsville @ Roseville
Woodbury @ White Bear Lake
St. Michael-Albertville @ Coon Rapids

 

[short ornery norwegian]

HS poll question answered: from the Strib:

The class-by-class rankings are compiled for the third year in a row by the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Jim Paulsen, who takes votes from 11 other media members. Paulsen began managing the rankings when the Associated Press dropped them in 2022; the rankings still are distributed statewide by the Associated Press. They are released annually after the season’s second regular-season game and typically will be published online on Tuesdays.

so that's what confused me. the AP distributes the poll, but does not administrate it.

see next post for the complete poll.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

First-place votes in parentheses, record, total points
CLASS 6A
1. Edina (7), 2-0, 107
2. Lakeville North (2), 2-0, 101
3. Maple Grove (2), 2-0, 98
4. Blaine 2-0, 69
5. Minnetonka 2-0, 65
6. Shakopee 2-0, 62
7. Eden Prairie 1-1, 31
8. Lakeville South 1-1, 28
9. Rosemount 1-1, 18
10. Eagan 1-1, 17
Others receiving votes: Forest Lake 10, Park of Cottage Grove (1) 10, Stillwater 9, Centennial 8, Mounds View 6, Prior Lake 6, St. Michael-Albertville 6, Anoka 4, Wayzata 4, East Ridge 1.
CLASS 5A
1. Elk River (7), 2-0, 99
2. Alexandria (1), 2-0, 85
3. Owatonna (2), 2-0, 72
4. Moorhead (1), 2-0, 68
5. Waconia 2-0, 64
6. Mankato East (1), 2-0, 49
7. Robbinsdale Armstrong 2-0, 34
8. Sauk Rapids-Rice 2-0, 32
9. Andover 1-1, 24
10. Rochester John Marshall 2-0, 20
Others receiving votes: Robbinsdale Cooper 19, Mankato West 18, Two Rivers 18, Duluth East 12, Minneapolis Washburn 10, St. Thomas Academy 9, Tartan 4, Chaska 3, Mahtomedi 2, Park Center 2, St. Cloud Tech 2.
CLASS 4A
1. Hutchinson (6), 2-0, 104
2. Becker (4), 2-0, 92
3. Orono 2-0, 68
4. Totino-Grace 2-0, 67
5. Marshall (1), 2-0, 61
6. Detroit Lakes 2-0, 52
7. Mound Westonka (1), 2-0, 42
8. Hermantown 2-0, 24
9. (tie) Chisago Lakes 2-0, 21
9. (tie) Holy Angels 2-0, 21
Others receiving votes: Duluth Denfeld 17, Providence Academy 14, Byron 13, Princeton 11, Kasson-Mantorville 10, St. Anthony 9, Minneapolis Camden 8, North Branch 8, Benilde-St. Margaret’s 7, Rocori 6, New Ulm 3, Zimmerman 2.
CLASS 3A
1. Stewartville (11), 2-0, 110
2. Dassel-Cokato 2-0, 78
3. (tie) Albany 2-0, 66
3. (tie) Fairmont 2-0, 66
5. Holy Family 2-0, 65
6. Pequot Lakes 2-0, 53
7. Pierz 2-0, 31
8. St. Croix Lutheran 2-0, 29
9. Pine Island 2-0, 27
10. Waseca 1-1, 23
Others receiving votes: Fergus Falls 19, Annandale 18, Luverne 13, Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 10, Litchfield 9, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 8, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 6, New London-Spicer 6, Two Harbors 6, Esko 4, Rochester Lourdes 2, East Grand Forks 1.
CLASS 2A
1. Caledonia (5), 2-0, 98
2. Barnesville (2), 2-0, 93
3. Eden Valley-Watkins (5), 2-0, 79
4. Jackson Co. Central 2-0, 74
5. Cannon Falls 2-0, 69
6. Chatfield 2-0, 52
7. Triton 2-0, 34
8. Holdingford 2-0, 31
9. Norwood Young America 2-0, 30
10. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 2-0, 16
Others receiving votes: Barnum 15, Kimball Area 14, International Falls 9, St. Agnes 9, Staples-Motley 7, Randolph 7, Pillager 6, Minnesota Valley Lutheran 6, Pelican Rapids 5, Dover-Eyota 3, Hawley 3.
CLASS 1A
1. Minneota (8), 2-0, 103
2. Springfield 2-0, 82
3. BOLD (2) 2-0, 70
4. Mahnomen/Waubun 2-0, 55
5. Goodhue 2-0, 53
6. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 2-0, 46
7. Browerville/Eagle Valley 2-0, 39
8. Parkers Prairie 2-0, 36
9. Dawson-Boyd 2-0, 34
10. Upsala/Swanville, 2-0 28
Others receiving votes: Blooming Prairie (1) 25; Fillmore Central (1), 23; Lester Prairie 19; Ada-Borup/West 17, Deer River 16, Red Lake County 8, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 8, Mille Lacs 3, Wabasha-Kellogg 3.
NINE-PLAYER
1. (tie) Nevis (6), 2-0, 93
Mountain Iron-Buhl (2), 2-0, 93
3. Fertile-Beltrami (1), 2-0, 75
4. Hills-Beaver Creek 2-0, 61
5. Cherry 2-0, 44
6. Verndale 2-0, 40
7. Leroy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli (1), 2-0, 34
8. Spring Grove 2-0, 33
9. Mabel-Canton (1), 2-0, 31
10. Goodridge/Gryglya 2-0, 25
Others receiving votes: Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 23, Kingsland 22, Hancock (1) 20, Kittson County Central 17, Mountain Lake Area 17, Fosston 8, Stephen-Argyle 8, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 7, Bertha-Hewitt 6, Cromwell-Wright 5, Clearbrook-Gonvick 1, Littlefork-Big Falls 1.

 

[GophersInIowa]

First-place votes in parentheses, record, total points
CLASS 6A
1. Edina (7), 2-0, 107
2. Lakeville North (2), 2-0, 101
3. Maple Grove (2), 2-0, 98
4. Blaine 2-0, 69
5. Minnetonka 2-0, 65
6. Shakopee 2-0, 62
7. Eden Prairie 1-1, 31
8. Lakeville South 1-1, 28
9. Rosemount 1-1, 18
10. Eagan 1-1, 17
Others receiving votes: Forest Lake 10, Park of Cottage Grove (1) 10, Stillwater 9, Centennial 8, Mounds View 6, Prior Lake 6, St. Michael-Albertville 6, Anoka 4, Wayzata 4, East Ridge 1.
CLASS 5A
1. Elk River (7), 2-0, 99
2. Alexandria (1), 2-0, 85
3. Owatonna (2), 2-0, 72
4. Moorhead (1), 2-0, 68
5. Waconia 2-0, 64
6. Mankato East (1), 2-0, 49
7. Robbinsdale Armstrong 2-0, 34
8. Sauk Rapids-Rice 2-0, 32
9. Andover 1-1, 24
10. Rochester John Marshall 2-0, 20
Others receiving votes: Robbinsdale Cooper 19, Mankato West 18, Two Rivers 18, Duluth East 12, Minneapolis Washburn 10, St. Thomas Academy 9, Tartan 4, Chaska 3, Mahtomedi 2, Park Center 2, St. Cloud Tech 2.
CLASS 4A
1. Hutchinson (6), 2-0, 104
2. Becker (4), 2-0, 92
3. Orono 2-0, 68
4. Totino-Grace 2-0, 67
5. Marshall (1), 2-0, 61
6. Detroit Lakes 2-0, 52
7. Mound Westonka (1), 2-0, 42
8. Hermantown 2-0, 24
9. (tie) Chisago Lakes 2-0, 21
9. (tie) Holy Angels 2-0, 21
Others receiving votes: Duluth Denfeld 17, Providence Academy 14, Byron 13, Princeton 11, Kasson-Mantorville 10, St. Anthony 9, Minneapolis Camden 8, North Branch 8, Benilde-St. Margaret’s 7, Rocori 6, New Ulm 3, Zimmerman 2.
CLASS 3A
1. Stewartville (11), 2-0, 110
2. Dassel-Cokato 2-0, 78
3. (tie) Albany 2-0, 66
3. (tie) Fairmont 2-0, 66
5. Holy Family 2-0, 65
6. Pequot Lakes 2-0, 53
7. Pierz 2-0, 31
8. St. Croix Lutheran 2-0, 29
9. Pine Island 2-0, 27
10. Waseca 1-1, 23
Others receiving votes: Fergus Falls 19, Annandale 18, Luverne 13, Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 10, Litchfield 9, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 8, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 6, New London-Spicer 6, Two Harbors 6, Esko 4, Rochester Lourdes 2, East Grand Forks 1.
CLASS 2A
1. Caledonia (5), 2-0, 98
2. Barnesville (2), 2-0, 93
3. Eden Valley-Watkins (5), 2-0, 79
4. Jackson Co. Central 2-0, 74
5. Cannon Falls 2-0, 69
6. Chatfield 2-0, 52
7. Triton 2-0, 34
8. Holdingford 2-0, 31
9. Norwood Young America 2-0, 30
10. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 2-0, 16
Others receiving votes: Barnum 15, Kimball Area 14, International Falls 9, St. Agnes 9, Staples-Motley 7, Randolph 7, Pillager 6, Minnesota Valley Lutheran 6, Pelican Rapids 5, Dover-Eyota 3, Hawley 3.
CLASS 1A
1. Minneota (8), 2-0, 103
2. Springfield 2-0, 82
3. BOLD (2) 2-0, 70
4. Mahnomen/Waubun 2-0, 55
5. Goodhue 2-0, 53
6. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 2-0, 46
7. Browerville/Eagle Valley 2-0, 39
8. Parkers Prairie 2-0, 36
9. Dawson-Boyd 2-0, 34
10. Upsala/Swanville, 2-0 28
Others receiving votes: Blooming Prairie (1) 25; Fillmore Central (1), 23; Lester Prairie 19; Ada-Borup/West 17, Deer River 16, Red Lake County 8, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 8, Mille Lacs 3, Wabasha-Kellogg 3.
NINE-PLAYER
1. (tie) Nevis (6), 2-0, 93
Mountain Iron-Buhl (2), 2-0, 93
3. Fertile-Beltrami (1), 2-0, 75
4. Hills-Beaver Creek 2-0, 61
5. Cherry 2-0, 44
6. Verndale 2-0, 40
7. Leroy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli (1), 2-0, 34
8. Spring Grove 2-0, 33
9. Mabel-Canton (1), 2-0, 31
10. Goodridge/Gryglya 2-0, 25
Others receiving votes: Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 23, Kingsland 22, Hancock (1) 20, Kittson County Central 17, Mountain Lake Area 17, Fosston 8, Stephen-Argyle 8, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 7, Bertha-Hewitt 6, Cromwell-Wright 5, Clearbrook-Gonvick 1, Littlefork-Big Falls 1.

Minneota just keeps producing good football players.

Also, you know it's so much guessing when you see multiple teams with a 1st place vote that aren't even listed in the Top 10.

 

[Ope3]

CLASS 5A
1. Elk River (7), 2-0, 99
2. Alexandria (1), 2-0, 85
3. Owatonna (2), 2-0, 72
4. Moorhead (1), 2-0, 68
5. Waconia 2-0, 64
6. Mankato East (1), 2-0, 49
7. Robbinsdale Armstrong 2-0, 34
8. Sauk Rapids-Rice 2-0, 32
9. Andover 1-1, 24
10. Rochester John Marshall 2-0, 20
Others receiving votes: Robbinsdale Cooper 19, Mankato West 18, Two Rivers 18, Duluth East 12, Minneapolis Washburn 10, St. Thomas Academy 9, Tartan 4, Chaska 3, Mahtomedi 2, Park Center 2, St. Cloud Tech 2.

Rochester JM being ranked 10th is one of the most surprising things I have seen ever in HS football. Small sample size though, 2-0 with wins against Apple Valley and North St Paul.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

one thing I noted - there are 4 schools that each received a 1st-place vote, but did not finish in the top 10 in their class:
Park of Cottage Grove in 6A, Blooming Prairie & Fillmore Central in 1A, and Hancock in 9-man.

According to the Strib, each voter picks a top 10 in each class. No. 1-ranked teams get 10 points, No. 2s get 9, etc.

So in 6A, Park got the one 1st-place vote - and no other votes from the other 11 people voting in the poll. that's......interesting.

in 9-man, six different teams each got at least one vote for 1st place.

early in the year, and some classes with no consensus - but in 3A, Stewartville received every 1st-place vote.

in case anyone is wondering - here are the voters:

Jim Paulsen, MN Star-Tribune; Randy Shaver, Talk North; Gary Giombetti, Mesabi Daily News; Ron Haggstrom, Minnesota Star Tribune; Jamey Malcomb, Duluth News Tribune; Joe Brown, West Central Tribune; Brian Jerzak, PrepRedZone; Steve Thomson, WCCO Radio; Chad Courrier, Mankato Free Press; David La Vaque, Minnesota Star Tribune; Pat Ruff, Rochester Post Bulletin; Jace Frederick, St. Paul Pioneer Press.

by my count that's 6 metro voters (could be 7 - don't know where PrepRedZone is headquartered)
other voters from Virginia, Duluth, Willmar, Mankato and Rochester.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Rochester JM being ranked 10th is one of the most surprising things I have seen ever in HS football. Small sample size though, 2-0 with wins against Apple Valley and North St Paul.

Agree that it's really early. I don't think JM will sustain.

JM 35-28 over Apple Valley
Mank. East 57-0 over Apple Valley.

 

[MaxyJR1]

CLASS 6A
1. Edina (7), 2-0, 107
2. Lakeville North (2), 2-0, 101
3. Maple Grove (2), 2-0, 98
4. Blaine 2-0, 69
5. Minnetonka 2-0, 65
6. Shakopee 2-0, 62
7. Eden Prairie 1-1, 31
8. Lakeville South 1-1, 28
9. Rosemount 1-1, 18
10. Eagan 1-1, 17
Others receiving votes: Forest Lake 10, Park of Cottage Grove (1) 10, Stillwater 9, Centennial 8, Mounds View 6, Prior Lake 6, St. Michael-Albertville 6, Anoka 4, Wayzata 4, East Ridge 1.

(Still too early for polls)
Edina- Deserves it as they have played tougher opponents than Maple Grove and where they finished last year.
Lakeville North- Always tough and two quality wins over Stillwater and Rosemount
Maple Grove- Close to 10 D1 quality players, may not be tested until week 8 at Minnetonka
Blaine- Avoid upsets to Anoka and Osseo and a 4-0 showdown with Maple Grove in week 5 could happen.
Minnetonka- Showdown with Edina this Thursday
Shakopee- Do they have enough defense to win when they don't score as much?
Eden Prairie- Will they get better and is Edina that good?
Lakeville South- Tough out for anyone
Rosemount- 3 point loss to the #2 team.
Eagan- this ain't your Cats team from 10+ years ago.

Forest Lake and Wayzata would be my others to watch.

***Run, Run, Run the ball! All these teams do it well and Edina has the passing game that we will see if weather becomes an issue for them in November.

 

[MNVCGUY]

CLASS 6A
1. Edina (7), 2-0, 107
2. Lakeville North (2), 2-0, 101
3. Maple Grove (2), 2-0, 98
4. Blaine 2-0, 69
5. Minnetonka 2-0, 65
6. Shakopee 2-0, 62
7. Eden Prairie 1-1, 31
8. Lakeville South 1-1, 28
9. Rosemount 1-1, 18
10. Eagan 1-1, 17
Others receiving votes: Forest Lake 10, Park of Cottage Grove (1) 10, Stillwater 9, Centennial 8, Mounds View 6, Prior Lake 6, St. Michael-Albertville 6, Anoka 4, Wayzata 4, East Ridge 1.

(Still too early for polls)
Edina- Deserves it as they have played tougher opponents than Maple Grove and where they finished last year.
Lakeville North- Always tough and two quality wins over Stillwater and Rosemount
Maple Grove- Close to 10 D1 quality players, may not be tested until week 8 at Minnetonka
Blaine- Avoid upsets to Anoka and Osseo and a 4-0 showdown with Maple Grove in week 5 could happen.
Minnetonka- Showdown with Edina this Thursday
Shakopee- Do they have enough defense to win when they don't score as much?
Eden Prairie- Will they get better and is Edina that good?
Lakeville South- Tough out for anyone
Rosemount- 3 point loss to the #2 team.
Eagan- this ain't your Cats team from 10+ years ago.

Forest Lake and Wayzata would be my others to watch.

***Run, Run, Run the ball! All these teams do it well and Edina has the passing game that we will see if weather becomes an issue for them in November.

After seeing them in action I really don't know that North should be #2 team but always tough to say in Minnesota football because the teams rarely look great so you really have to lower expectations.

One thing I will say for North though is that their short passing game is solid. QB didn't look good throwing downfield but they have athletes and they were good at using the short passes to keep the ball moving.

Fun side note - Former Gopher Jim Bean's son is a RB for Rosemount. Built a lot like his dad and once he figures things out could be a load to bring down.

 

[maroonfive]

Agree that it's really early. I don't think JM will sustain.

JM 35-28 over Apple Valley
Mank. East 57-0 over Apple Valley.

I remember when JM was an absolute juggernaut. They would win the Big Nine every year. Similar to Austin in boys basketball in the 1950's and 1960's.