Minnesota high school football top 25 rankings (10/16/2023)
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Minnesota high school football is entering the final week of the regular season, so teams have one final shot at tuning up before it truly counts.
Last week, St. Michael-Albertville defeated then-No. 7 Maple Grove 14-13 to knock off a top-10 team and enter the Power 25.
Edina defeated then-No. 7 Stillwater as Class 6A teams continue to fight for seeding in the 32-team bracket.
Here is the Minnesota high school football Power 25.
Minnesota high school football Power 25
No. 1 Eden Prairie (7-0)
Last week’s ranking: 1
Next game: Oct. 19 at No. 20 Woodbury (4-3)
Ranking rationale: Don’t let the 49-23 score fool you. Eden Prairie’s win over Rochester Mayo (2-5) was never in doubt. The Spartans did well to score 17 points by halftime at Aerie Stadium, but the Eagles had 42 by that point. Eden Prairie parked the bus at that point as each team added a touchdown in the third quarter before a scoreless fourth.
Elijah Rumph led the way with two touchdown rushes and a 66-yard touchdown reception. James Anderson returned a fumble 47 yards to the house that put the Eagles up 28-7 before the end of the first quarter. EP has far and away proven to be the best team in the state this season.
No. 2 Chanhassen (7-0)
Last week’s ranking: 2
Next game: Oct. 18 at St. Louis Park (1-6)
Ranking rationale: It always feels good to beat your rival. It feels even better to blank them. The Storm broke through after a scoreless first quarter vs. Chaska (3-4) to lead 14-0 at halftime and add a cherry-on-top touchdown in the fourth. Maxwell Woods nearly outgained Chaska by himself, rushing 23 times for 100 yards.
Chaska had 102 total yards and was 3-for-14 passing for 50 yards and an interception to the hands of Tristan Williams. The Storm play a tough schedule and have passed every test along the way.
No. 3 Lakeville South (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 3
Next game: Oct. 19 at Champlin Park (3-4)
Ranking rationale: The performance of the week might be Lakeville South’s 52-0 demolishing of previous No. 19 Eastview (4-3). The Cougars must have been none too pleased after dropping the previous week in a heartbreaker at current No. 17 Rosemount (4-3). South jumped out to a 14-0 lead against Eastview through one quarter and 35-0 at the break.
Connor Cade led the way with three rushing touchdowns. It’s too bad Lakeville South doesn’t get a crack at No. 1 Eden Prairie in the regular season, but the two Class 6A powerhouses could be on a collision course to meet up at U.S. Bank Stadium.
No. 4 Lakeville North (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 4
Next game: Oct. 19 vs. Burnsville (2-5)
Ranking rationale: It was a good day to be a football player in Lakeville last week. The two schools combined to beat good opponents by a combined 94-7 score. Lakeville North did its part with a 42-7 thumping at an East Ridge (2-5) team that looked to have found some footing with a win at Mounds View the week prior.
The Panthers established a 28-0 lead before the Raptors got on the scoreboard in the third quarter. Riley Grossman finished 6-for-11 passing for 87 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Sam Ripplinger rushed 13 times for 174 yards and two scores. Sawyer Wilkie added 14 totes for 149 yards and a touchdown.
Talented East Ridge quarterback Tanner Zolnosky was held to 7-for-15 for 66 yards, no touchdowns and an interception to Alex Bergerson.
No. 5 Minnetonka (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 5
Next game: Oct. 19 at No. 10 Maple Grove (5-2)
Ranking rationale: There are no changes to the top five in this week’s Power 25. All five posted resounding wins. Minnetonka’s was a 61-21 drubbing of previous No. 17 Buffalo (5-2). The Skippers set the tone with a 100-yard pick six by Hudson Poole midway through the fourth quarter. It was 26-0 Minnetonka before Buffalo got on the scoreboard.
Lucas Knox and Chase Conrad each had three-touchdown days on the ground. The Skippers have a great resume with their only loss coming in a fairly competitive game against No. 1 Eden Prairie (8-0).
No. 6 Mankato West (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 6
Next game: Oct. 18 vs. No. 8 Rogers (7-0)
Ranking rationale: The Scarlets took care of business at their crosstown rivals, downing Mankato East (2-5) 31-12. It was 17-0 West after the first quarter and 24-6 at halftime. East was held to 124 yards overall and -8 on the ground on 22 carries.
Mankato West’s only loss was a close one to current No. 2 Chanhassen (7-0). The Scarlets own two wins against teams who have been in the Power 25, including red-hot No. 9 Andover (6-1).
No. 7 Centennial (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 8
Next game: Oct. 19 vs. No. 17 Rosemount (4-3)
Ranking rationale: Centennial may not have beaten defending Class 6A champion Maple Grove, but it just routed the team that did. The Cougars won 35-7 at Champlin Park (3-4). Centennial led 21-0 at halftime and did not give up a point until it scored four touchdowns of its own.
Daylen Cummings rushed for one touchdown and passed for two touchdowns, both to Ty Burgoon. The Cougar defense has been lights out the past four weeks, holding teams to seven points a night. The competition hasn’t been outstanding on Centennial’s four-game win streak, so the regular season finale will be a good measuring stick.
No. 8 Rogers (7-0)
Last week’s ranking: 11
Next game: Oct. 18 at No. 6 Mankato West (6-1)
Ranking rationale: The Royals closed last season strong and haven’t lost a game since. In fact, no one’s come closer than 13 points. Rogers is scoring 37.7 points per game and allowing just 12.9 points per game.
The defense pitched its first shutout last week in a 31-0 win at Park Center (2-5) and even outscored the Pirates on their own with a safety to make it 9-0 after one quarter. Kalvin Eull rushed 32 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns.
Rogers is below Mankato West in this week’s Power 25 due to a weaker schedule, but the Royals can prove on the field they belong higher.
No. 9 Andover (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 12
Next game: Oct. 18 at No. 25 Robbinsdale Armstrong (6-1)
Ranking rationale: The run of Class 5A teams in the top 10 continues with Andover. The Huskies leap up three spots after handing previous No. 18 Sauk Rapids-Rice (6-1) its first loss by a 29-8 final. This game was scoreless at halftime before Andover’s potent offense got going. The Huskies still only led 14-8 through three quarters before turning on the jets in the fourth.
D’Mario Davenport led a ground game that racked up 264 yards with 25 carries for 135 yards and two scores. Luke Dehnicke and Austin Begalle each had interceptions for a defense that held the opposition to 149 yards.
The Huskies’ only loss came to current No. 6 Mankato West (6-1). They own a big win at current No. 12 St. Thomas Academy (6-1), which has blown out everyone else since.
No. 10 Maple Groves (5-2)
Last week’s ranking: 7
Next game: Oct. 19 vs. No. 5 Minnetonka (6-1)
Ranking rationale: Maple Grove has been a bit of an enigma week-to-week. The Crimson fell victim to a surging St. Michael-Albertville (4-3) squad that won its third straight game 14-13 on a rainy evening. Maple Grove never trailed until STMA converted a 2-point conversion for the final score of the game with 11:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.
This was one the Crimson likely felt they should’ve had considering a 370-247 yardage advantage. Charles Langama did his part, rushing 26 times for 251 yards and a touchdown. Maple Grove’s two losses each came by a point.
The Crimson have two Power 25 wins but have skirted the top two Class 6A teams on this year’s schedule. This week’s game could show us a lot.
No. 11 Alexandria (7-0)
Last week’s ranking: 13
Next game: Oct. 18 vs. Elk River (2-5)
Ranking rationale: Alexandria didn’t exactly rack up the style points, but the Cardinals will gladly take a 24-14 win at a good Moorhead (4-3) squad. Alexandria never trailed and led 14-0 after one quarter. The Spuds pulled within a touchdown midway through the third quarter but never threatened further.
The Cards haven’t faced the top teams in Class 5A, but they do have a quality win at current No. 13 Brainerd (6-1) and have won six games by double digits.
No. 12 St. Thomas Academy (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 14
Next game: Oct. 18 at Chaska (3-4)
Ranking rationale: St. Thomas Academy upped its win streak to six after a 40-7 home win vs. Hastings (2-5). The Cadets’ high octane offense produced even in cold, wet conditions as they built a 26-0 halftime lead. Savion Hart ran 23 times for 263 yards and two touchdowns as part of a rushing attack that gained 8.4 yards a pop and nearly 400 total on the night.
Hastings managed just 145 yards on 49 plays and didn’t find the end zone against STA’s starters. The Cadets have scored 28 or more in every game this season.
No. 13 Brainerd (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 15
Next game: Oct. 18 at St. Francis (1-6)
Ranking rationale: Aside from a fairly competitive loss to current No. 11 Alexandria (7-0), the Warriors have been thumping everyone. That trend continued with a 42-7 home win vs. Bemidji (3-4).
Brainerd leapt out to a 21-0 lead through one quarter and were up 35-zip until Bemidji got on the board late in the first half. Eli Hoelz finished 7-for-9 passing for 163 yards, two touchdowns and zero picks.
Sean Holbrook added 68 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Jake Merseth caught three balls for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Brainerd held Bemidji to 135 yards of offense with Ryan Kennedy and Mason Maske each with an interception.
No. 14 Edina (4-3)
Last week’s ranking: 20
Next game: Oct. 18 vs. Hopkins (0-7)
Ranking rationale: Edina has yo-yoed in and out of the Power 25 this season. However, making it 4-3 through a brutal schedule is quite commendable. It looks like it’ll be 5-3 if it can polish off a struggling Hopkins squad.
All seven opponents thus far have spent time in the Power 25 with four of them still ranked. That includes previous No. 9 Stillwater (5-2), which Edina just outlasted 14-7 in Stillwater. This was the Hornets’ third straight win.
Edina broke a scoreless halftime score with some explosive plays to start the third quarter. Mason West hit Sonny Villegas for a 35-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Owen Kemper housed a 92-yard interception not long after. Edina picked off four passes and held Stillwater under 100 yards at 2.9 a carry.
No. 15 Shakopee (4-3)
Last week’s ranking: 21
Next game: Oct. 19 vs. Blaine (3-4)
Ranking rationale: If you would’ve told me the score in Shakopee’s game against Rosemount was 35-12, I wouldn’t have guessed it would’ve been Shakopee on the winning side. The Sabers were on the verge of falling out of the Power 25 on a three-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, Rosemount has its quarterback healthy again and just knocked off previous No. 2 Lakeville South (6-1). Shakopee got off its skid in a big way, The Sabers led 14-0 at halftime and 21-0 before the Irish got on the board. Shakopee bullied its way to 320 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 56 carries. T.J. Clark led with 15 carries for 91 yards.
Shakopee’s three losses were all competitive against Power 25 teams, so it made sense that they hadn’t given up hope.
No. 16 Stillwater (5-2)
Last week’s ranking: 9
Next game: Oct. 19 at Park of Cottage Grove (3-4)
Ranking rationale: Give credit to Stillwater’s defense, which held Edina’s offense to just seven points and held strong despite Stillwater’s offense getting intercepted four times. Unfortunately for the Ponies, the offense was held scoreless until the fourth quarter in a 14-7 loss.
The Hornets did all their scoring damage in the beginning of the third quarter with a 35-yard touchdown pass and 92-yard pick-six. Stillwater snapped a five-game win streak, which was a bit of a high wire act with four one-possession wins.
The Ponies have avoided much of the top teams in Class 6A this season, so their lack of an impressive resume drops them down several notches this week.
No. 17 Rosemount (4-3)
Last week’s ranking: 10
Next game: Oct. 19 at No. 7 Centennial (6-1)
Ranking rationale: A 35-12 home loss to previous No. 20 Shakopee (4-3) may have been an emotional letdown after the Irish went into then-No. 2 Lakeville South’s (6-1) house and stunned the Cougars last week. Shakopee entered on a three-game losing streak, albeit all to ranked teams. Rosemount entered on a three-game surge. Two of Rosemount’s losses this season were with a backup quarterback.
No. 18 St. Michael-Albertville (4-3)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
Next game: Oct. 18 vs. Mounds View (4-3)
Ranking rationale: Three straight wins highlighted by last week’s 14-13 toppling of previous No. 7 Maple Grove (5-2) has St. Michael-Albertville in the Power 25 for the first time in 2023.
The Knights traded touchdowns throughout the night with a 3-yard Madden Grabau touchdown rush and a 2-point pass from Will Barthel to Drew Luster proving to be the game-winning possession with 11:56 remaining.
This gave STMA its first win over a current Power 25 team after dropping games at Anoka and vs. Centennial. The Knights can validate their newfound ranking with a win this week over a team that’s spent about half the season in the Power 25, Mounds View.
No. 19 Anoka (5-2)
Last week’s ranking: 22
Next game: Oct. 19 at Wayzata (2-5)
Ranking rationale: Anoka picked up its biggest margin of victory of the season last week in a 44-10 win at Osseo (0-7). The Tornadoes got out to a 13-3 lead after one quarter and pushed the advantage to 20 by halftime. Peyton Podany finished 11-for-16 passing for 180 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Terrell Cummings ran 17 times for 168 yards and a touchdown. Anoka has been outclassed against top-10 teams at the time, Maple Grove (5-2) and Centennial (6-1), but has otherwise looked solid. Its 34-19 win vs. St. Michael-Albertville (4-3) in Week 2 has appreciated in value after STMA just knocked off Maple Grove.
No. 20 Woodbury (4-3)
Last week’s ranking: 16
Next game: Oct. 19 vs. No. 1 Eden Prairie (7-0)
Ranking rationale: A 39-13 loss at Prior Lake (3-4) is a little concerning, but the Royals’ other two losses were close ones. Most of their wins have been fairly convincing. Woodbury was still in this one at halftime down 27-13 but couldn’t find the end zone after that.
The Royals don’t need to pull off the upset of the year this week to stay ranked, but they’ve got to show more fight than they did last time out.
No. 21 Sauk Rapids-Rice (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 18
Next game: Oct. 18 vs. Moorhead (4-3)
Ranking rationale: The unbeaten season is no longer, but Sauk Rapids-Rice should hold its head high for holding No. 9 Andover (6-1) scoreless at halftime. The Huskies are averaging more than 40 points per game. The Storm took an 8-0 lead on a 67-yard touchdown pass from Spencer Ackerman to Mason Sabraski to stun the home crowd early in the quarter.
It was all Andover from there as it scored the final 29 points of the game. S-R-R held Andover to 25 passing yards on 14 attempts but could not slow down the run game enough. The Storm had yet to play a team like this all season.
This could be the wake-up call needed to be able to put four quarters together against top-end competition.
No. 22 Buffalo (5-2)
Last week’s ranking: 17
Next game: Oct. 19 vs. Prior Lake (3-4)
Ranking rationale: The Bison beat some good teams on their five-game win streak, but they had yet to beat a great one. Buffalo wasn’t quite ready for the big leagues last week in a 61-21 loss at No. 5 Minnetonka (6-1).
Kyler Kelvie had a nice game going 20-for-28 passing for 227 yards and three touchdowns but the run game and defense weren’t able to provide enough. Buffalo has a solid resume with both losses coming to teams who are a combined 13-1, though both were blowouts.
No. 23 Becker (7-0)
Last week’s ranking: 23
Next game: Oct. 18 at Foley (4-3)
Ranking rationale: Becker never trailed at winless Big Lake (0-7), but things were far too close for comfort in a 19-14 win. Granted, it was 19-6 after three quarters, but the Bulldogs ought to win these types of games by 20-plus.
Zachary Bengston finished 10-for-15 passing for 139 yards, a touchdown and no picks. Seven rushers combined for 31 carries for 152 yards and two scores.
No. 24 Bloomington Jefferson (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 24
Next game: Oct. 18 at Rochester John Marshall (3-4)
Ranking rationale: Coming off its biggest win of the season the week prior against Robbinsdale Cooper (5-2), Bloomington Jefferson avoided a letdown by winning its regular season home finale 35-0 vs. Apple Valley (3-4). Jonathan Weber led the Jaguars with a pair of rushing touchdowns, both in the second quarter. They led 19-0 at halftime.
With no Power 25 wins in the regular season, it will take a deep playoff run to merit Jefferson moving much higher in the ranking.
No. 25 Robbinsdale Armstrong (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 25
Next game: Oct. 18 vs. No. 9 Andover (6-1)
Ranking rationale: Five of the Falcons’ six wins have come by 16 or more points. The latest came last week in a 36-20 victory at Mahtomedi (4-3). This one was tied at 14 midway through the second quarter before Robbinsdale Armstrong took control.
Kevon Johnson had a monster game. He ran 38 times for 212 yards and a touchdown.
Some other teams in consideration this week for the Power 25 are (in no order) Class 6A squads Prior Lake (3-4), Mounds View (4-3), Forest Lake (4-3), Champlin Park (3-4), Two Rivers (6-1) from 5A and 4A Orono (7-0).
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