6A teams remaining:
Gold North: Maple Grove, Centennial
Maroon North: Stillwater
Gold South: Rosemount, Eden Prairie, Lakeville South, Shakopee
Maroon South: East Ridge
Against .500 or better records:
Shakopee (1-3): Wins EP 31-14; Losses PL 16-24, LS 10-28, Eagan 21-23
East Ridge (3-2): Wins Wbry 28-0, Eagan 31-24, PL 28-27; Losses EP 7-34, Stwtr 17-45
Centennial (3-2): Wins Tonka 8-7, Wbry 17-14, Wyzta 18-14; Losses Stwtr 28-29, MG 17-24
Lakeville South (3-2): Wins PL 21-17, Shak 28-10, WBL 30-0; Losses EP 6-21, RSMT 7-10
Stillwater (4-1): Wins Cent 29-28, ER 45-17, WBL 35-28, Brnd 38-21; Losses EP 14-35
Eden Prairie (5-2): Wins ER 34-7, LS 21-6, PL 28-14, Stwtr 35-14, Wbry 55-14;
Losses RSMT 7-14, Shak 14-31
Maple Grove (4-0): Wins Tonka 41-27, Cent 24-17, Wyzta 28-21, FL 54-21
Rosemount (5-0): Wins Eagan 39-7, EP 14-7, LS 10-7, PL 27-17, Wyzta 42-14
Shakopee - Signature win over EP. When this team hears the drums start beating it is lights out and opponents better hang on; however, they give up a lot of penalties on procedural stuff and the emotions run both ways. If healthy, and the drum beat starts, they could challenge EP again. If those hurt are out and EP scores early...they've had a good run.
East Ridge - The "Maroon" mantra doesn't stick to this team. Very athletic across the board and a team again that plays with emotion. They will need to control the ball more agains MG and not trade quick possessions...somehow.
Centennial - Ultra tough, ultra controlling and always a team that plays better as the season goes on. They match opponents regardless of who they are playing. They will need 10 minute drives and then force 3 and outs so Rosemount can't figure out how to attack them. They will enjoy the punch in the face contest...but as anyone from St. Paul knows...so does anyone Irish.
Lakeville South - The cougars have figured out they don't have the horses they did last year and that is leading to success late in the season. They still have great athletes and a smart coach, just not in all the spots on offense. If Stillwater cannot stop the T then this game may be over, because South's defensive unit is just as good as last year if not better.
Stillwater - Incredible group of athletes across the board. Still can't figure out how the EP game got away from them like it did; however, their coach used it to improve his team and they are better for it. The games they have to win now will take all the ponies can play to and adjust to. They have the players and the coach to do it.
Eden Prairie - The MOST tested team, the best post-season team, and a nightmare for any coaching staff to face...a second time. The eagles drew the mildest quartile, but need to beat the team that beat them to get to the show. And then might have to do it again in the first round. Mike Grant really enjoys these types of challenges and his players always respond to them.
Maple Grove - The team that is the most complete package. Top to bottom, and another team with a phenomenal coaching staff. The diversity of their offense will cause their next two opponents fits and that is why they could blow past them. The ONLY question is if they get to the championship their defensive front could face an opponent that is in a higher weight class and just as athletic.
Rosemount - It's obvious, a bunch of young men who really love to play football. It is hard to figure out who the starters are. They send a #2 in at anything from QB to OL to LB and the kid lights it up. A team that would play all night long whether up or down after 4. Good coach that has not won a state championship. We will find out if that is an asset or a liability to a group of players every coach on this page would love to have.