Minnesota high school football top 25 rankings (9/18/2023)
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Minnesota high school football enters week four, and we've now got a good look at who the top teams in the state are.
Eden Prairie continues to be the top team. Centennial drops after a loss to Maple Grove, and both the Lakeville schools remain in the top five after a close game on Friday.
Here is the Minnesota high school football Power 25:
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Minnesota high school football top 25
No. 1 Eden Prairie (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 1
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. No. 6 Shakopee (3-0)
Ranking rationale: The Eagles bookended their 28-14 win at then-No. 12 Prior Lake (1-2) with dominance. Eden Prairie rushed out to a 14-0 lead with 8:16 left in the first half and scored 14 more points in the fourth quarter after the Lakers surged back to tie it up in the third quarter.
In typical Eden Prairie fashion, the Eagles scored all four touchdowns through the ground with a couple short-yardage plunges by Jeremy Fredericks sealing the deal in the fourth quarter. Eden Prairie’s allowing just over 11 points per game and has two wins over teams that have spent time in the Power 25.
No. 2 Lakeville South (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 2
Next game: Sept. 21 vs. No. 22 Eagan (2-1)
Ranking rationale: It’s not always pretty, but Lakeville South finds ways to win. The Cougars picked up one of the best wins of any team in the state to date with a 24-21 win at crosstown rival and previous No. 3 Lakeville North (2-1).
North controlled the game in many ways, but South just kept hanging around. A 5-yard fumble return touchdown helped South tie the game 7-7 in the first half. The Cougars’ vaunted rushing attack saw three different rushers find the end zone, including a 64-yarder by Jonah Shine.
South’s Bo Bokman rushed for a 14-yard touchdown to tie the game at 1:03 and Jack Kimmel hit the game-winner from 31 yards to stun an upstart North team that looked poised to swipe South’s No. 2 spot in the Power 25.
No. 3 Mankato West (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 4
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. Chaska (1-2)
Ranking rationale: Waconia has been a solid program in recent years and has spent time in the Power 25 in 2023. Mankato West made mincemeat of the Wildcats, 35-6 in Mankato. Bart McAninch passed for two touchdowns and ran for another.
The Mankato West defense is allowing nine points per game and had a shutout going until the fourth quarter after the Scarlets were up 35-0. The Scarlets also have a Power 25 win this season against current No. 18 Andover (2-1). They’re a couple weeks away from the chance to validate their top-three Power 25 status against fellow Class 5A titan No. 5 Chanhassen (3-0)
No. 4 Lakeville North (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: 3
Next game: Sept. 21 vs. Farmington (0-3)
Ranking rationale: Lakeville North squandered a chance to rise to No. 2 this week after allowing 10 points in the final 63 seconds to fall 24-21 vs. No. 2 Lakeville South (3-0). That one will sting after the Panthers were tied or led throughout the night in hopes of flipping a recently one-sided rivalry.
Still, it’s hard to drop North too far after a mostly strong performance against a Class 6A powerhouse. Sawyer Wilkie rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown as North produced over 300 yards of offense, including 205 on the ground.
No. 5 Chanhassen (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 6
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. Waconia (1-2)
Ranking rationale: If I award a wackiest score of the week award, Chanhassen may have helped provide the Week 3 winner in its 63-41 victory at Rochester Century (1-2). It was certainly the wackiest halftime score as the Storm led 50-27 through just 24 minutes of football.
This game was never in doubt as the Storm went up 28-0 in the first quarter. However, it’s a bit concerning to let up six touchdowns to one of the weaker teams on the schedule. Even if some came in garbage time. The bright side is Chanhassen’s offense continues to dazzle. One of the state’s top running backs, Maxwell Woods went off to the tune of 243 yards and six touchdowns on just 15 carries.
Chanhassen also hasn’t missed a beat with a new quarterback this season. Brayden Windschitl went 11-for-148 yards, a touchdown and no picks.
No. 6 Shakopee (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 7
Next game: Sept. 22 at No. 1 Eden Prairie (3-0)
Ranking rationale: The Sabers picked up their second Power 25 win of the season by rallying to beat previous No. 24 Wayzata (0-3) 21-17 at home. Despite their opponent’s 0-3 record, this was still a credible win.
The Sabers showed toughness after trailing the entire way, including 17-7 after three quarters. A pick-six by Jack Hove and a 1-yard touchdown run by Bradley Hanson clinched the ‘W’. Shakopee intercepted four passes.
More importantly, it held Wayzata to 82 rushing yards on 36 carries. That kind of stinginess will be needed next week against top dog, Eden Prairie.
No. 7 Minnetonka (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 8
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. No. 10 Prior Lake (1-2)
Ranking rationale: The Skippers continue to impress and are on pace to surpass their 5-4 record from a year ago. Minnetonka won 34-10 last week at previous No. 25 Edina (1-2). The Hornets were right there through three quarters tied at 10 before the visitors inflicted their will.
Minnetonka held Edina to 208 yards of offense en route to its third win over a team that’s been in the Power 25 this season. Milos Spasojevic passed for two touchdowns, including a 45-yard backbreaker to William Hairston to go up 14 early in the fourth quarter.
No. 8 Maple Grove (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: 10
Next game: Sept. 22 at No. 22 Anoka (3-0)
Ranking rationale: The Crimson were eager to prove a stunning 25-24 Week 2 loss at previously unranked Champlin Park (2-1) was an anomaly. Maple Grove may not have the same squad it had in its perfect 2022 Class 6A Prep Bowl championship season, but head coach Matt Lombardi still has a lot of talent at its disposal.
That was on display in last week’s 41-28 win vs. previous No. 5 Centennial (2-1). Maple Grove rushed out to a 14-0 start, only for the visitors to fight back to take a 21-20 lead heading to the fourth quarter. The Crimson relied on its championship pedigree to sprint to the finish. Charles Langama did a lot of sprinting, too, rushing 33 times for 234 yards and four touchdowns.
He had three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including one for 28 yards to go up two scores with 3:19 to go.
No. 9 Centennial (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: 5
Next game: Sept. 22 at St. Michael-Albertville (1-2)
Ranking rationale: Centennial went toe-to-toe at defending Class 6A champion Maple Grove through three quarters. It’s why the Cougars remain in the top-10 and should continue to climb with a couple non-Power 25 games coming up.
Centennial fell behind 14-0 after one quarter with Maple Grove. The Cougars battled back within five at halftime and took a 21-20 lead into the fourth quarter. Trouble ensued from there as the home team wore down the visitor’s run ‘D’.
This was by far Centennial’s toughest game of the young season. After getting an early wake up call, it responded well to prove it deserves to remain in the top 10.
No. 10 Prior Lake
Last week’s ranking: 12
Next game: Sept. 22 at No. 7 Minnetonka (3-0)
Ranking rationale: There are no such things as moral victories in the standings, but there can be in the Power 25. Despite the Lakers’ 1-2 record, they’ve been in every game against a schedule composed entirely of Power 25 teams thus far. Prior Lake gave all No. 1 Eden Prairie (3-0) could handle last week in a 28-14 home loss.
After falling behind 14-0 in the second quarter, the Lakers scored a touchdown in the second and third quarter to knot it up. The Eagles didn’t have the win cinched until their final touchdown with 1:44 remaining. Prior Lake’s other loss came in a close one to current No. 6 Shakopee (3-0) and its win came over No. 19 Forest Lake (2-1).
No. 11 Brainerd (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 11
Next game: Sept. 22 at Moorhead (2-1)
Ranking rationale: Beating an 0-3 Sartell team didn’t do much for Brainerd’s resume, but a 65-6 result is still impressive. In fairness to Sartell, it was hanging around down 14-6 after one quarter. It wasn’t a one-possession game for long as the Warriors took a 42-6 advantage into halftime.
Eli Hoelz was a perfect 9-for-9 passing for 214 yards and four touchdowns. Sean Holbrook added 15 rushes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Brainerd’s other two wins came against 2022 Class 5A state tournament teams, Mahtomedi (2-1) and defending champion No. 16 Elk River (1-2).
No. 12 Stillwater (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: 13
Next game: Sept. 22 at Mounds View (2-1)
Ranking rationale: Stillwater’s comeback effort against a ranked opponent helped the Ponies move up in this week’s Power 25. Stillwater erased a 20-14 halftime deficit and won 28-20 at home vs. previous No. 20 East Ridge (1-2). Emilio Rosario Matias did most of the damage for the Ponies, rushing 21 times for 114 yards and completing his only pass for a 35-yard touchdown for the final score of the game with 2:28 left in the third quarter.
All four of Stillwater’s touchdowns came through the air. On the other side of the ball, its secondary held strong against 38 pass attempts. The Raptors threw three touchdowns but were picked off twice. They managed just 12 rushing yards on 19 attempts thanks to Stillwater putting the pressure on the quarterback.
Stillwater has a good resume with a win at current No. 14 Woodbury (2-1) and its only loss coming in Week 1 vs. current No. 4 Lakeville North (2-1).
No. 13 Rogers (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 14
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. Spring Lake Park (2-1)
Ranking rationale: Rogers stayed perfect on the season with a 52-21 win at Irondale (0-3). However, the performance in the first half was far from perfect as a talented, but flawed, Irondale squad staked a 21-17 halftime lead.
Then, Kalvin Eull put on a show. After rushing for a 65-yard touchdown in the first quarter, he rushed for three more scores in a second half the Royals dominated, 35-0. Rogers has yet to face a Power 25 team yet.
It earns the benefit of the doubt after a run to the Class 5A semifinals last year, though the second half of the schedule will truly show what this team’s made of.
No. 14 Woodbury (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: 15
Next game: Sept. 22 at No. 24 East Ridge (2-1)
Ranking rationale: Woodbury was a little too close for comfort through three quarters at home vs. White Bear Lake (0-3), but the Royals were able to put their foot on the gas late to come away with the 38-16 victory.
The Bears took a 10-7 lead into halftime. Isaiah Tisdle was a threat to score all over the field, finding pay dirt from 22, 61 and 23 yards all in the second half. Woodbury’s defense pitched a shutout over the final 16:59, intercepted three passes and put the cherry on top with a 65-yard fumble return touchdown by Mason Rudin to close the scoring in the final two minutes.
Woodbury won’t have the chance at a signature win until late in the season, but its resume is intact with its only loss coming to current No. 12 Stillwater (2-1).
No. 15 Champlin Park (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: 17
Next game: Sept. 22 at Coon Rapids (1-2)
Ranking rationale: The Rebels avoided a letdown after a big-time Week 2 win against defending state champion and current No. 8 Maple Grove (2-1). Champlin Park followed it up with a 21-0 win at Osseo (0-3). It was a season low point total and only a 7-0 game at halftime and through three quarters, but it doesn’t matter when your defense is dominant.
Three different rushers found the end zone. The Rebels could threaten the top 10 if they take care of business against some favorable matchups in the upcoming weeks.
No. 16 Elk River (1-2)
Last week’s ranking: 16
Next game: Sept. 22 at No. 17 Andover (2-1)
Ranking rationale: Elk River has had about as tough a schedule as anyone in Class 5A through three weeks. It dropped a couple tight ones to current top-10 opponents before coming away with its first win last week against a St. Francis squad that’s better than its 0-3 record indicates.
The Elks raced out to a 16-0 lead through one quarter and held on for the 27-16 home win. Elk River finished without a passing yard on three attempts, but it rushed 49 times for 321 yards led by 15 totes for 130 yards and a touchdown by Gavin Schmidt.
St. Francis pulled within six in the second quarter, but Elk River swelled it to nine by halftime and 17 after three quarters before St. Francis added a fourth-quarter touchdown.
No. 17 Andover (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: 17
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. No. 16 Elk River (1-2)
Ranking rationale: It was a coin flip in the Power 25 where to slot Elk River and Andover next to each other, so it’ll be fun to see these two settle it on the field. Andover comes in with momentum after a 42-21 win at Cambridge-Isanti.
The Huskies scored the first 21 points of the game and led by as much at halftime. C-I made it interesting by pulling within 15 in the third quarter, but Andover kept responding. Hudson Maynard finished 16-for-22 passing with three touchdowns and one interception.
Six different rushers combined for 146 yards at seven yards a carry. The Huskies’ only loss came to current No. 3 Mankato West (3-0) and they can boost their resume with a win over the defending Class 5A champ this week.
No. 18 Rosemount (1-2)
Last week’s ranking: 9
Next game: Sept. 21 vs. No. 25 Rochester Mayo (2-1)
Ranking rationale: The Irish get a little more leash to hang around in the Power 25 after such a dominant 2022 season, but this year’s team is having trouble with a target on the back. Eagan (2-1) has been one of the more pleasant surprises through three weeks, but Rosemount would still like to have a clunker of a 17-6 loss at the Wildcats back.
The Irish defense is still elite allowing 10.3 points per game. The offense looked great in an opening 35-0 win vs. Eastview (2-1) but has produced just two touchdowns since.
No. 19 Forest Lake (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: 19
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. White Bear Lake (0-3)
Ranking rationale: Forest Lake has played well against a tough early schedule. The Rangers have responded well to a one-point loss to current No. 10 Prior Lake (1-2) with wins over current No. 20 East Ridge and previous No. 23 Mounds View (2-1).
Forest Lake dominated Mounds View last week, jumping out to a 21-0 halftime lead en route to a 24-8 victory. Leyton Patzer put up another monster stat line. He ran for a 72-yard touchdown in the first quarter and finished with 24 carries for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
The defense had a shutout going until the Mustangs got on the scoreboard after the result was in hand with 4:03 remaining.
No. 20 Anoka (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: 22
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. No. 8 Maple Grove (2-1)
Ranking rationale: Anoka is a team I fear may be ranked too low, but it will have the chance to make an impression this week against the defending Class 6A champion. The Tornadoes eked out a win in their first road game of the season in Week 3, edging Blaine (1-2) 18-16. Anoka took some time to get going down 3-0 in the second quarter.
A 32-yard pick six by Luke Alexander proved to be the spark to break a 3-3 tie and give the visitors a 9-3 halftime lead. Anoka controlled the game with 80 plays on offense compared to 48 for Blaine.
The Tornadoes ran and passed 40 times each with Peyton Podany finishing 22-for-39 with 253 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Terrell Cummings added 23 rushes for 104 yards. Kamari Hibler completed a 31-yard pass and caught one for 15.
No. 21 St. Thomas Academy (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: 21
Next game: Sept. 22 at Mahtomedi (2-1)
Ranking rationale: The Cadets have gotten off the mat after a disappointing Week 1 blowout loss to current No. 17 Andover (2-1) by winning a couple routs of their own.
St. Thomas Academy won 35-17 against Cretin-Derham Hall in Week 3 at TCO Stadium. C-DH staked a 3-0 lead in the first quarter before STA went on a 28-0 run before halftime and scored the first touchdown of the second half.
Maximus Sims threw for 111 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. That helped open things up for Savion Hart, who rushed 14 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 22 Eagan (2-1)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
Next game: Sept. 21 at No. 2 Lakeville South (3-0)
Ranking rationale: Eagan makes its 2023 debut in the Power 25 after a big-time victory. The Wildcats upended the reigning Class 6A runner up Rosemount Irish with a 17-6 victory at home. Rosemount entered the week at No. 9.
Eagan broke a scoreless tie through one quarter with Carson Schwamb scoring his first of two touchdowns to help build a 10-0 halftime advantage. Rosemount pulled within four heading to the fourth quarter before Eagan finished it off.
The Wildcats have a bit of a confounding resume through three weeks with a Week 1 loss to Edina (1-2), which hasn’t won since. They’ve responded well with a blowout of current No. 25 Rochester Mayo (2-1) and the win versus the Irish.
No. 23 Robbinsdale Armstrong (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: NR
Next game: Sept. 22 at Cretin-Derham Hall (1-2)
Ranking rationale: The Falcons make their Power 25 debut this season after staying unbeaten with a 20-14 double overtime win vs. rival Robbinsdale Cooper (2-1). Cooper boasts one of the top class of 2025 recruits in the state, Emmanuel Karmo.
Karmo had two touchdowns but was unable to do enough to get past Armstrong. The Falcons never trailed in the game and were led by a workmanlike performance by Kevon Johnson, who rushed 41 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdowns came in overtime. He also caught three passes for 27 yards and a touchdown.
This was by far Armstrong’s best win of the season, but it will have chances to validate its Power 25 status with road tests this week and next week at No. 21 St. Thomas Academy (2-1).
No. 24 East Ridge (1-2)
Last week’s ranking: 20
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. No. 14 Woodbury (2-1)
Ranking rationale: East Ridge could easily be 3-0. The Raptors were on the wrong side of one-score games the last two weeks to current No. 19 Forest Lake (2-1) and last week at current No. 12 Stillwater (2-1). East Ridge led in both games, including last week when it led 20-14 at halftime before the Ponies came away with a 28-20 victory.
Tanner Zolnosky threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns but had a sub-.500 completion percentage and two interceptions.
He had tight windows to throw to with the run game struggling to get going. If the Raptors can find a little more success on the ground, Zolnosky is talented enough to take this team to great heights.
No. 25 Alexandria (3-0)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
Next game: Sept. 22 at Sartell (0-3)
Ranking rationale: Solid Class 6A teams like Rochester Mayo (2-1), Mounds View (2-1) and even 0-3 Wayzata were among those in consideration for this week’s final spot in the Power 25. Instead, there’s room for one more 5A squad.
The Cardinals have been dominant at home with a 42-7 win in Week 1 vs. Chaska (1-2) and a 37-14 win in Week 3 vs. St. Cloud Tech (0-3). Alexandria came away with a 20-18 Week 2 win at Monticello (1-2), which is a few plays away from being unbeaten with two losses coming to 3-0 squads.
Chase Thompson posted an 18-for-27 passing night for 228 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions vs. Tech. As long as it takes care of business this week at Sartell, Alexandria will have an opportunity to vault up the ranking with a marquee matchup coming in Week 5 at No. 11 Brainerd (3-0).
