SBLive's Minnesota high school football Power 25 heading into week 7

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1. Rosemount (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 1

Next game: Oct. 14 vs. No. 8 Prior Lake (4-2)

Ranking rationale: There’s some shake up in the top 10 this week, but not at the top. Rosemount remains the top dog after a 49-0 dismantling of Farmington (1-5). The Tigers are in a rebuilding year, but that was still an impressive win over a 2021 state quarterfinalist. Rosemount handed Farmington its biggest loss of the season thanks to a balanced offense that produced 169 yards through the air and 155 on the ground. Jackson Ganser rushed for 42 yards and two touchdowns while Gavin Caswell finished with a crisp 13-for-15 passing night for 142 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. This was the Irish’s first shutout, but the defense has been stout all season, allowing no more than 10 points in a contest and 6.3 per night. Rosemount’s passed the test against big-time foes like No. 7 Eden Prairie (4-2) and No. 6 Lakeville South (4-2), but another one is coming next.

2. Stillwater (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 3

Next game: Oct. 14 vs. Mounds View (2-4)

Ranking rationale: All eyes were on Stillwater last week, and the Ponies came through. They climb up to their apex thus far in the power rankings after a 27-14 win against then No. 7 Forest Lake (5-1). It was a 7-7 game after one quarter before Stillwater pulled away with 20 unanswered points. Max Shikenjanski continues to shine. He completed his first 12 passes and finished 14-for-15 for 137 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. That threat opened up the run game for Sam Young to gash the upstart Rangers for 189 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. Forest Lake passed for 202 yards but at an inefficient 12-for-27 rate. Stillwater also has solid wins at Centennial (4-2) and home vs. White Bear Lake (4-2) and could find itself in the No. 1 spot if it completes a perfect regular season.

Recap and highlights from Stillwater's win over Forest Lake

3. Maple Grove (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 2

Next game: Oct. 14 at St. Michael-Albertville (3-3)

Ranking rationale: Maple Grove has done all that’s asked of it this season. However, Stillwater climbs to No. 2 this week due to strength of resume. The Crimson have not, and will not, face a team currently in the top 10. However, they were a touchdown away from winning a state title last season and have the tools to make noise at U.S. Bank Stadium once again. Maple Grove is coming off a 28-21 win at inconsistent, yet talented, Wayzata (2-4). The Trojans raced out to a 14-0 lead before the Crimson rattled off four straight touchdowns in the second and third quarter. Jordan Olagbaju led the way with 17 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown.

4. Shakopee (5-1)

Last week’s ranking: 4

Next game: Oct. 13 at No. 6 Lakeville South (4-2)

Ranking rationale: The Sabers are one of the hottest teams in the state. After losing a tight one to Prior Lake in Week 2, Shakopee responded with two shutout wins. It ground out a six-point victory against a pesky Lakeville North (1-5) team and blew out previous No. 4 Eden Prairie (4-2) 31-14 Saturday in Shakopee. The Eden Prairie score is a bit deceptive as it was 14-14 at halftime and 21-14 deep into the third quarter. A 22-yard Ashton Kluseman field goal in the third and a Jadon Hellerud to Gannon Rydberg 19-yard touchdown with just over a minute to go put the result out of reach. A short week to prepare against the defending state champions will be another proving ground for Shakopee coming up Thursday.

5. Forest Lake (5-1)

Last week’s ranking: 7

Next game: Oct. 14 at Roseville (0-6)

Ranking rationale: Not all losses are created equal. Forest Lake’s storybook season hit a snag last week against current No. 2 Stillwater (6-0), but there’s no shame in falling to one of the state’s best. With one-loss Class 6A teams in short supply, Forest Lake is eligible to slide up a couple spots in the rankings. It was a tie game through one quarter and the Rangers were within two scores at halftime. An ultra-efficient passing attack was eventually too much to overcome. Forest Lake moved the ball as well as anyone on Stillwater, piling up 329 yards of offense. Leyton Patzer had 81 of the team’s 127 rushing yards and a touchdown. Keagan Zeidler added 202 yards through the air with a touchdown and no interceptions. Forest Lake could be 7-1 going into the playoffs if it can win a pair of road games against teams currently combining for a 1-11 record.

Recap and highlights from Stillwater's win over Forest Lake

6. Lakeville South (4-2)

Last week’s ranking: 8

Next game: Oct. 13 vs. No. 4 Shakopee (5-1)

Ranking rationale: The Metro Gold South district is the strongest in the state. Lakeville South and its compadres have gone through a meat grinder of a schedule. That doesn’t fully excuse a pair of losses, but the Cougars aren’t a team anyone wants to see in the postseason. They bounced back from a loss to still-unbeaten No. 1 Rosemount with a 21-17 win over previous No. 5 Prior Lake (4-2). Running back Carson Hansen had another brilliant night, collecting 164 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. A back-and-forth game was decided on his 18-yard touchdown with 3 minutes, 35 seconds to go. Hansen is up to 1,024 yards on the season on 9.3 yards per carry. Prior Lake also found success on the ground, but Lakeville South’s defense allowed just 30 passing yards at a 7-for-16 clip.

7. Eden Prairie (4-2)

Last week’s ranking: 4

Next game: Oct. 14 vs. Edina (2-4)

Ranking rationale: As mentioned above with Lakeville South, there aren’t many weeks off in the Metro Gold South. The Eagles learned that last week with a 31-14 loss at current No. 4 Shakopee (5-1). They were entrenched in a tight one for much of the game, but the Sabers’ 17-0 second half run proved to be the difference. Eden Prairie’s only other blemish was to current No. 1 Rosemount (6-0). It has resume-boosting wins against current No. 8 Prior Lake (4-2) and current No. 6 Lakeville South (4-2). A Week 8 matchup against No. 2 Stillwater (6-0) from the Metro Gold North could be intriguing.

8. Prior Lake (4-2)

Last week’s ranking: 5

Next game: Oct. 14 at No. 1 Rosemount (6-0)

Ranking rationale: Prior Lake might be coming off its second straight loss, but don’t count out the Lakers to take down the top dogs next week. Prior Lake has a signature win against current No. 4 Shakopee (5-1), and its two losses were to current No. 8 Eden Prairie (4-2) and current No. 6 Lakeville South (4-2). Last week’s 21-17 tilt against Lakeville South just as well could have gone the Lakers’ way. It was a back-and-forth affair with Grayson Spronk rushing in for the go-ahead touchdown with six minutes, 12 seconds remaining. He finished with 64 yards and was co-pilot with Joey Krouse, who did what few have done in recent years against Lakeville South: rush for 100-plus yards. He had 166 and a touchdown on 22 carries. It took a valiant effort on the other side from Hansen, who had 164 yards and the game-winner with 3:35 to go.

9. St. Thomas Academy (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 10

Next game: Oct. 13 vs. Apple Valley (3-3)

Ranking rationale: No disrespect to defending Class 5A state champion Mankato West, but it’s a new season and St. Thomas gets the nod as the top 5A team in the rankings based on resume. The Cadets outlasted previous No. 11 Mahtomedi (5-1) 28-14 last week in Mahtomedi. It was a one-score game through three quarters before Savion Hart helped put the game away. He scored touchdowns of nine and 47 yards in the fourth quarter to stave off the Zephyrs’ comeback. Hart led with 24 carries for 163 yards and three touchdowns. Not to be forgotten was his backfield mate, Love Adebayo, who added 13 carries for 117 yards. St. Thomas Academy hasn’t had to pass much this season in a slew of blowouts. It showed it’s capable with Maximus Sims going 10-for-13 for 142 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. The Cadets’ defense picked off two passes and held one of the state’s top running backs, Corey Bohmert, to a season low 108 yards on a season high 26 carries (4.2 ypc).

Recap and highlights of St. Thomas Academy's win over Mahtomedi

10. Mankato West (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 9

Next game: Oct. 14 vs. Northfield (4-2)

Ranking rationale: With all the parity atop the top-10 Class 6A teams, the case could be made for Class 5A’s finest to be ranked a bit higher. The reigning state champion Scarlets just haven’t been tested much. They picked up their best win a couple weeks ago against current No. 21 and Associated Press poll Class 5A No. 9 Rochester Mayo (5-1) in a close one. The remaining schedule has been against weak competition. To Mankato West’s credit, it’s doing what it’s supposed to by not letting teams hang around. That continued in a 51-3 drubbing at Austin (1-5) Saturday. Northfield could pose a threat next week, but the Scarlets will really be able to prove themselves when they get to a loaded Section 2 playoffs later this month.

11. Robbinsdale Armstrong (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 12

Next game: Oct. 14 at Chaska (4-2)

Ranking rationale: Last year was Robbinsdale Cooper’s turn to make it to the Class 5A Prep Bowl. Could 2022 be Robbinsdale Armstrong’s time? The Falcons stayed perfect with a 34-14 win last week at Apple Valley (3-3). It was 27-0 in the fourth quarter before the Eagles finally found the end zone. Quarterback Jamen Malone rushed 10 times for 125 yards and passed for another 91. Running back Reggie Carter led with 140 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries and was the main cog of a unit that produced 301 rushing yards. Robbinsdale Armstrong also has a signature win two weeks ago against current No. 14 Chanhassen (5-1) and won big against everyone else.

12. Elk River (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 13

Next game: Oct. 14 at Alexandria (2-4)

Ranking rationale: Death, taxes and Elk River scoring a boatload of points. The Elks remain unbeaten after a 55-21 home stomping of Moorhead (3-3). That barely raised their average to 48.8 points per game, which is tops in Class 5A. Elk River was in control throughout and led 28-8 at halftime. Did I mention the Elks didn’t throw a single pass? Their ground game was all they needed with eight rushers combining for 30 carries, 483 yards and eight touchdowns. They’ll all have fresh legs come postseason time. Matthew Beaudry led with nine carries for 187 yards and a touchdown. Logan Bunker also joined the 100-yard club, gaining 115 and scoring three touchdowns on five carries. Although not against a world-beating schedule, Elk River deserves commendation for winning all six games by 21 or more. A week 8 matchup against the next team in the rankings will be one to watch.

13. St. Francis (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 14

Next game: Oct. 14 at Big Lake (0-6)

Ranking rationale: There are four remaining unbeaten teams in Class 5A. St. Francis brings up the rear in the power rankings among them, but the Saints are no slouches. They just took down previous unbeaten and current No. 20 Sauk Rapids-Rice (5-1), 28-25. This was an instant classic as St. Francis overcame a 7-0 deficit after one quarter to tie the game by halftime and take the lead in the third quarter. A thrilling final few minutes saw the Storm take a four-point lead, only for the Saints to hurry down field for a game-winning 1-yard touchdown rush by Joe Waldock with 48 seconds left. St. Francis has room to improve on pass defense, but it made SR-R one-dimensional with just 53 rushing yards on 19 carries. That stinginess could pay dividends when the state’s top rushing attack and neighbor in the power rankings, No. 12 Elk River (6-0), comes to town in the regular season finale.

14. Chanhassen (5-1)

Last week’s ranking: 19

Next game: Oct. 13 vs. Academy of Holy Angels (5-1)

Ranking rationale: Moving up five spots this week might be a little steep, but the margins are pretty narrow among all the teams ranked in the teens. With that said, a lot of credit is due to Chanhassen for knocking off previous No. 20 Waconia (4-2) in a 37-35 four-overtime thriller. The two teams traded punches all night until Waconia’s 2-point conversion attempt to extend the game failed. The Storm’s played a tough schedule with good wins over Chaska (4-2) and Spring Lake Park (4-2) and the only loss coming in another white knuckle game in Week 5, 34-29 at current No. 11 Robbinsdale Armstrong (6-0).

15. Mahtomedi (5-1)

Last week’s ranking: 11

Next game: Oct. 14 at No. 16 Simley (6-0)

Ranking rationale: Mahtomedi drops four spots this week but should not be ashamed for suffering its first loss. The Zephyrs went toe-to-toe with a fellow Class 5A heavyweight, dropping 28-14 at home vs. current No. 9 St. Thomas Academy (6-0). Mahtomedi was within one score at halftime and again with 4 minutes, 24 seconds remaining before the Cadets put the game away with a long touchdown at the 2:38 mark. A testament to running back Corey Bohmert’s dominant season is the fact that his season low rushing output still produced 108 yards and a touchdown. The senior is up to 1,209 yards on 10.5 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns. That’s a bell cow you can ride in those cold weather postseason games.

16. Simley (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 17

Next game: Oct. 14 vs. No. 15 Mahtomedi (6-0)

Ranking rationale: It’s been a hot potato trying to determine the top team in Class 4A, but Simley has emerged as the candidate of late. The Spartans play a schedule mixed with some 5A squads and have passed every test thus far with ease. Simley won 27-0 last week at Tartan (2-4) in a game that was 20-0 by halftime. The Spartans have won every game by 20 or more, but have yet to encounter a team like Mahtomedi coming up. Caden Renslow finished 6-for-12 for 109 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against Tartan. Gavin Nelson’s 114 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries led the rushing attack that generated 253 yards. The defense limited the Titans to 166 yards of offense and came up with two interceptions.

17. Woodbury (5-1)

Last week’s ranking: 16

Next week’s game: Oct. 14 at Hopkins (0-6)

Ranking rationale: A win’s a win, but Woodbury had to fight to the end to defeat a struggling Park of Cottage Grove (2-4) squad last week, 37-26. The Royals led by as much as 17, but the Wolfpack seemed to always have a response, pulling within five with three minutes, 23 seconds to go. Fortunately, George Bjellos continued his fine play at quarterback to hit Jackson Kauck for a 24-yard touchdown with 38 seconds left to seal the victory. Bjellos finished 11-for-17 for 158 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Isaiah Tisdle ran 20 times for 100 yards and a score. Park of Cottage Grove threw for 327 yards but was one-dimensional, finishing with 21 carries for -16 yards.

18. Mound Westonka (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 18

Next week’s game: Oct. 14 at St. Paul Central (3-3)

Ranking rationale: After defeating perhaps its best opponent to date two weeks ago, 28-14 vs. Fridley (4-2), Mound Westonka notched its largest margin of victory last week with a 64-7 win vs. St. Paul Highland Park (4-2) in the home finale. It was a master class in running the football with 10 players sharing 50 carries for 478 yards and six touchdowns. None were better in the running back room than Tyler Albert, who led with 18 carries for 142 yards and two scores. Quarterback Carter Reinbold had the gaudiest stat line with 11 carries for 186 yards and three touchdowns to go with 9-for-18 passing for 120 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. The Whitehawks expect to be undefeated heading into the Section 6, Class 4A playoffs.

19. Centennial (4-2)

Last week’s ranking: 23

Next week’s game: Oct. 14 vs. No. 25 Minnetonka (4-2)

Ranking rationale: In a season full of nail-biters, Centennial got to blow off some steam in a 34-0 win at former top-25 team Blaine (3-3). Quarterback Daylen Cummings did it all, going 5-for-6 for 117 yards passing and rushing 23 times for 93 yards and four touchdowns. The defense held the Bengals to 174 yards of offense and dropped its points allowed to a paltry 12.1 per game. The Cougars have proven they can hang with the heavyweights with a 29-28 loss in Week 1 vs. current No. 2 Stillwater (6-0) and a 24-17 loss in Week 4 at current No. 3 Maple Grove (6-0). Centennial can also play down to its competition, winning games by 11, three and four points against opponents with a combined 6-12 record. Friday’s big victory was a good sign heading into tough games against Minnetonka and No. 17 Woodbury (5-1) to round out the regular season.

20. Sauk Rapids-Rice (5-1)

Last week’s ranking: 15

Next week’s game: Oct. 14 vs. Moorhead (3-3)

A highly anticipated matchup between two undefeated teams lived up to the hype on Friday. Unfortunately for Sauk Rapids-Rice, the Storm came out on the wrong end of a 28-25 matchup at current No. 13. Sauk Rapids-Rice grabbed an early lead, only to give up three straight touchdowns then score three straight touchdowns. It was a wild turn of events. The Storm rallied from 14 down to take a 25-21 lead with two minutes, 23 seconds left, only for the Saints to hurry for a game-winning 1-yard plunge with 48 seconds on the clock. Keegan Patterson was almost the hero for Suak Rapids-Rice, completing 25 passes on 34 attempts for 273 yards and three touchdowns. The final of the three went to Andrew Harren for an 11-yard touchdown. Receiver Hudson Omoke threw for a 63-yard touchdown and caught nine balls for 113 yards and a touchdown. The Storm gave St. Francis as good of a shot as anyone thus far, but the ground game that produced just 53 yards has room to improve.

21. Rochester Mayo (5-1)

Last week’s ranking: 21

Next week’s game: Oct. 14 vs. Austin (1-5)

Ranking rationale: Aside from a 34-27 win at perennial power Owatonna (4-2) in Week 1 and a heartbreaking 28-24 loss in Week 5 vs. current No. 10 Mankato West (6-0), Rochester Mayo has plowed past the competition. The latest result was a 42-14 win at New Prague (3-3). It wasn’t quite as easy as the score indicates as New Prague led 7-0 after a quarter and was within a touchdown after three quarters. The Spartans won the second and fourth quarter 21-0 each and kept the Trojans off balance with a mix of run and pass. Rees Grimsrud went 11-for-17 for 132 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He linked with favorite target Carter Holcomb for six catches, 79 yards and three scores. Those two are juniors and sophomore running back Isaiah Beale toted it 22 times for 204 yards and two touchdowns, so the future at the skill positions is bright for Rochester Mayo.

22. Stewartville (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: 22

Next week’s game: Oct. 14 vs. Winona (5-1)

Ranking rationale: The Class 4A state tournament could be one of the most competitive. Four teams remain undefeated, none of which are title contenders Hutchinson (5-1), Becker (5-1), Willmar (5-1) or Rocori (5-2). All but Willmar have been in the top 25, and the Cardinals were one of the first ones left off this week. Stewartville doesn’t get the chance to face these northerly schools, but the Tigers have made lunch meat out of every opponent on the schedule. Stewartville’s first five wins came by an average of 51.8 points per game. That’s not inflated by one crazy result. The smallest margin was 44-0 against Byron (4-2), whose only other loss was in overtime to Winona (5-1). Last week’s 31-10 win at reigning Class 4A runner up Kasson-Mantorville (4-2) was the toughest test to date. Even then, the Tigers got out to a 14-0 lead after one quarter and were up by the final score through three quarters before bleeding the clock. Owen Sikkink rushed 16 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Ayden Helder, who hasn’t had to throw a lot this season, finished 14-for-24 for 165 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

23. White Bear Lake (4-2)

Last week’s ranking: 24

Next week’s game: Oct. 14 vs. Osseo (3-3)

Ranking rationale: White Bear Lake didn’t let the disappointment of a near upset the week prior at current No. 2 Stillwater (6-0) carry over into another tricky road game at Anoka (1-5). The Bears won 45-20 against the Tornadoes, who have been a bit down on their luck in 2022 but won six games a year ago and played current No. 5 Forest Lake (5-1) to a 35-29 game. WBL jumped out to a 21-0 lead and closed strong after Anoka pulled within a touchdown early in the second quarter. Cole Sather led with three rushing touchdowns. The Bears have a good shot to go 6-2 if they can take care of a pair of winnable home games.

24. Minnetonka (4-2)

Last week’s ranking: Unranked

Next week’s game: Oct. 14 at No. 19 Centennial (4-2)

Ranking rationale: The Minnetonka defense recorded its first shutout of the season last week in a 24-0 win vs. Totino-Grace (1-5). Just because the Skippers didn’t have a goose egg yet didn’t mean they weren’t stingy. They’re limiting opponents to 18.1 points per night, a number that drops to 13.6 when you remove a 41-27 loss to current No. 2 Maple Grove (6-0). The question is if Minnetonka can find enough on the other side of the ball. Minnetonka managed 252 yards of offense last week and didn’t need to be too aggressive after leading 17-0 at halftime. Roman Johnson rushed 17 times for 119 yards and Milos Spasojevic had two quarterback sneak touchdowns.

25. Marshall (6-0)

Last week’s ranking: Unranked

Next week’s game: Oct. 14 at Jordan (4-2)

Ranking rationale: It’s not always pretty, but the Tigers remain undefeated to make their top 25 debut. Class 4A Marshall is coming off a 28-14 win at St. Peter (2-4), their first 4A opponent faced to date with another coming next week. The rest have been against 3A squads. One of those 3A opponents was an awfully good one in Waseca (5-1), which is ranked in a tie for seventh in last week’s Associated Press 3A poll. The Tigers came away with an 8-7 road win. The defense has been elite, pitching three shutouts and holding teams to 4.8 points per game. Hutchinson (5-1) and Willmar (5-1) both could loom in the Section 2 playoffs. It will be then when we see if Marshall can rise up against stiffer competition.