SBLive's Minnesota high school football Power 25 for Week 8

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1. Rosemount (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 1

Next game: Oct. 19 at Burnsville (3-4)

Ranking rationale: The Irish remain atop the power rankings after another hard-fought victory in the onerous Metro Gold South district. Rosemount clinched the district championship with a 27-17 comeback victory at home against current No. 12 Prior Lake (4-3). It was just the second time an opponent cracked double digits against the Irish’s Class 6A-leading scoring defense (7.8 points per game). Sophomore quarterback Gavin Caswell entered the game shortly before halftime and provided a spark. He quickly drove the team 61 yards down the field to trim the deficit to 14-12. In total, he passed for 113 yards and two touchdowns and rushed nine times for a team high 73 yards. Rosemount has been a run-oriented team all year. The Irish proved they can go to the air when needed and have two capable quarterbacks they trust along with junior starter Landon Danner. Rosemount is a win away from its third perfect regular season since 2014.

Photos: Rosemount football rallies, holds off Prior Lake 27-17

2. Maple Grove (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 3

Next game: Oct. 19 vs. Mounds View (2-5)

Ranking rationale: St. Michael-Albertville (3-4) entered Friday on a two-game winning streak and playing more like a team that advanced to the 2021 Class 6A quarterfinals. Maple Grove said, “Enough of that.” The Crimson rolled to a 30-0 win in a resounding response from a close call over Wayzata (3-4) a week prior. It was just 3-0 after one quarter, but it bulged to 20-0 at halftime. Maple Grove relied on its do-it-all quarterback Jacob Kilzer. He rushed 22 times for 224 yards and three touchdowns and completed 7 -of-14 passes for 66 yards with no touchdowns or picks. STMA was held to 130 yards of offense and suffered its first shutout of the season. It was the first shutout for the Maple Grove defense, which trimmed its per-game average to 13.2. A perfect regular season is in sight, but the Crimson will see how No. 3 Stillwater (7-0) had some trouble with a pesky Mounds View team and see it’s not in the bag quite yet.

3. Stillwater (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 2

Next game: Oct. 19 vs. No. 5 Eden Prairie (5-2)

Ranking rationale: When you’re undefeated, you’re going to get an opponent’s best effort. The Ponies were on upset alert last week at home against Mounds View (2-5). Stillwater trailed 7-0 after a quarter and was tied at 7 at halftime. Two unanswered touchdowns in each of the last two quarters helped put the game out of reach. The Mustangs’ four previous losses all came by seven points or fewer, so they’re not the slouch their record may indicate. Stillwater limited Mounds View to 156 yards of offense. Quarterback Max Shikenjanski topped that on his own, throwing for 191 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while rushing for another 14 yards. Thomas Jacobs also rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns. The Ponies drop a slot this week, but the margins are thin in the top three teams who have separated from the rest of the pack.

4. Forest Lake (6-1)

Last week’s ranking: 5

Next game: Oct. 19 at Lakeville North (2-5)

Ranking rationale: The top three in the power rankings are in a tier of their own. It’s a bit of a free-for-all after that, with a couple Class 5A teams who could make the case to be this high. I’m rolling with Forest Lake, which is one of just two one-loss teams remaining in Class 6A. The Rangers have played a lot of tight games this season and survived all of them, save for a respectable 13-point loss to No. 3 Stillwater (7-0). That wasn’t the case Friday. They let their hair down in a 47-14 win at Roseville (0-7). Emik Hauer rushed for two touchdowns as part of a 27-0 start in the first half. Quarterback Keagan Zeidler rushed for two more scores. Next week’s game is not a sure thing, as four of Lakeville North’s losses came to teams in this week’s top seven and two were by single digits.

5. Eden Prairie (5-2)

Last week’s ranking: 7

Next game: Oct. 19 at No. 3 Stillwater (7-0)

Ranking rationale: Edina (2-5) came in on a two-game winning streak and was a thorn in the side of a few top teams early in the season. Eden Prairie didn’t take its border rival lightly. The Eagles handed the Hornets what tied for their largest margin of defeat in 2022, 42-16. Eden Prairie was in control throughout, using five different rushers to score six touchdowns and build a 42-0 lead early in the fourth quarter. Dominic Heim led with two touchdowns. The Eagles bounced back well from one of their biggest losses in years, 31-14 at current No. 7 Shakopee (5-2). Eden Prairie can claim the unofficial title of top two-loss team in Class 6A if it can spoil Stillwater’s perfect season. The Eagles won 28-21 in that matchup last year at home.

6. Lakeville South (5-2)

Last week’s ranking: 6

Next game: Oct. 19 at Hopkins (0-7)

Ranking rationale: The Cougars were caught in a battle with previous No. 4 Shakopee (5-2) before eventually turning on the jets for an impressive 28-10 win at home. It was 3-0 Sabers when Lakeville South’s rushing attack gained steam. With the defense geared toward stopping running back Carson Hansen (13 carries, 99 yards, no touchdowns), his backfield mate Ryder Patterson ran wild. Patterson toted it 13 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Shakopee ran 52 times for 266 yards in one of the best offensive outputs against Lakeville South, but the Cougars made the Sabers one-dimensional in completing just one pass for 11 yards on eight attempts. Lakeville South should be able to roll next week and will be a rested, dangerous team in the playoffs.

7. Shakopee (5-2)

Last week’s ranking: 4

Next game: Oct. 20 vs. Eagan (4-3)

Ranking rationale: Teams fifth through seventh in this week’s power rankings all hail from the Metro South Gold district. They all have 5-2 records and went 1-1 against the other. So, take these teams in whichever order you’d like. Since these rankings tend to have an element of ‘What have you done for me lately?’, Shakopee gets the short end of the stick. The Sabers are coming off a 28-10 loss to the team above them in the rankings, Lakeville South (5-2). A 3-0 lead after one quarter was just what the doctor ordered in a tough road environment, but the Cougars’ viper-like ball control offense was ultimately too tough to slow down. Shakopee gained an impressive 252 yards on the ground itself at just over five yards a clip, but a tough night through the air made coming back from 14-3 at halftime too difficult. Shakopee will have a tricky out-of-district matchup to close with to stay in the top 10 heading into the postseason.

8. St. Thomas Academy (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 8

Next game: Oct. 19 at Tartan (2-5)

Ranking rationale: As I noted above, the four remaining unbeaten teams in Class 5A could make the case to be as high as No. 4 this week. St. Thomas Academy has top-end talent that shines through on a week. It helped make what could have been a tricky home game against Apple Valley (3-4) into a 42-7 cakewalk. Quarterback Maximus Sims flashed his arm for a 24-yard touchdown to Luke Dobbs for a touchdown and then ran one in for 51 yards. The Cadets have big-play ability as further evidenced by Savion Hart’s 61-yard touchdown to build the lead to 21-0 in the second quarter. He ran 16 times for 146 yards and two scores to compliment Love Adebyao’s 13-carry, 121-yard night with one touchdown.

9. Mankato West (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 9

Next game: Oct. 19 vs. Mankato East (3-4)

Ranking rationale: Northfield is having a nice season. Mankato West is having perhaps a second straight all-time one. Coming off a perfect 2021 season ending with a Class 5A state title, the Scarlets look like a team worthy of making it back to U.S. Bank Stadium. Mankato West won 42-0 at home against Northfield (4-3) and had the game in hand up 28-0 at halftime. Quarterback Bart McAninch ran for two touchdowns. He didn’t have any through the air, but senior tight end Dylan Williams did. A trick play resulted in Williams’ 33-yard touchdown to receiver Jalen Smith to pad the first-quarter lead to 14-0. This was the Scarlet defense’s third shutout of the season and fifth time holding an opponent to seven or fewer. A neutral site rivalry game at Minnesota State University against a pesky team that almost spoiled last year’s perfect season will be a game to watch.

10. Elk River (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 12

Next game: Oct. 19 at No. 11 St. Francis (7-0)

Ranking rationale: Teams can try to go blow for blow with Elk River’s high-octane offense. It’s hard to keep up for 48 minutes. The Elks got all they could handle last week in a 58-29 win at Alexandria (2-5). It was 14-14 after one quarter and Elk River never led until Logan Bunker’s 71-yard touchdown rush put his team ahead 28-21 before halftime. He ran for an 80-yard score earlier in the quarter and ended with 14 carries for 284 yards. After trailing 21-14, the Elks went on a 44-0 run. Cade Osterman ran 12 times for 265 yards and four touchdowns and completed a 20-yard touchdown pass. Elk River ran 48 times for 660 yards. Wednesday at St. Francis might be the game of the week in a battle of unbeatens.

11. St. Francis (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 13

Next game: Oct. 19 vs. No. 10 Elk River (7-0)

Ranking rationale: St. Francis already won a late season battle of the unbeatens. Can it do it again to go riding high into the playoffs? The Saints emerged with a 28-25 win in Week 6 against current No. 20 Sauk Rapids-Rice (6-1). It was a resume-boosting performance against an otherwise mediocre schedule. Next week against Class 5A’s best offense and a vaunted Elk River rushing attack will show if St. Francis can be a title contender. To the Saints’ credit, they didn’t caught looking ahead to Wednesday. They throttled Big Lake (0-7) 48-0 on the road in a game that was 35-0 at halftime. Jaxon Skogquist completed 5-for-8 passes for 155 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

12. Prior Lake (4-3)

Last week’s ranking: 8

Next game: Oct. 18 at Park of Cottage Grove (3-4)

Ranking rationale: It’s hard to cast many aspersions about any of the Lakers’ three losses. All came to top-six teams in this week’s power rankings, including last week in a 27-17 result at No. 1 Rosemount (7-0). Prior Lake led for more than half the game and used its size in the trenches, led by future Golden Gophers offensive tackle Greg Johnson and defensive tackle Martin Owusu, to pave the way for Grayson Spronk, who ran for two touchdowns. Spronk didn’t finish the game and Rosemount found success spreading Prior Lake out to take the lead for good with under five minutes remaining in a back-and-forth affair. The Lakers will look forward to stepping out of Metro Gold South district play to close out the regular season and help their postseason seeding.

13. Mahtomedi (6-1)

Last week’s ranking: 15

Next game: Oct. 19 vs. South St. Paul (0-7)

Ranking rationale: A week after an unbeaten season of its own was spoiled at the hands of current No. 9 St. Thomas Academy (7-0), Mahtomedi made sure current No. 24 Simley (6-1) had to suffer a similar fate. The Class 5A Zephyrs pulled away late to win 38-13 at one of 4A’s top teams. Corey Bohmert did Corey Bohmert things, rushing 27 times for 172 yards and a touchdown. He won the running back battle against another tough runner, Gavin Nelson, who was part of an offense that ran 23 times for 86 yards. Mahtomedi led 16-13 early in the fourth quarter after allowing a long touchdown, but three straight touchdowns in response highlighted by an 88-yard Cole Saenger run put a stranglehold on the game. The Zephyrs appear to have what it takes to get back to the Prep Bowl, and perhaps even win it.

Mahtomedi football's strong fourth quarter leads it past Simley.

14. Chanhassen (6-1)

Last week’s ranking: 14

Next game: Oct. 18 vs. Bloomington Jefferson (2-5) at TCO Performance Center

Ranking rationale: Chanhassen has had a stressful season. Fortunately for fans, players and coaches alike, these nail-biting ball games have come out on their side more times than not. The Class 5A Storm improved to 4-1 in games decided by five points or fewer with a 21-20 win over a talented 4A Academy of Holy Angels (4-2) squad that’s been on the brink of top-25 status throughout the season. One of the top backs in his class, junior Maxwell Woods, led with 17 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown. His 15-yarder broke a 14-14 tie in the third quarter. The Stars scored a touchdown with 57 seconds left in the game, but a 2-point conversion pass was unsuccessful.

15. Woodbury (6-1)

Last week’s ranking: 17

Next game: Oct. 20 vs. No. 16 Centennial (5-2)

Ranking rationale: It’s easy to poke holes through Woodbury’s resume. The toughest opponent it’s faced, East Ridge (4-3), handed the Royals their only loss, 28-0. What’s not easy is starting 6-1 at the Class 6A level, regardless of who’s on the schedule. Besides, Week 8 against Centennial, which boasts 6A’s second best scoring defense, will prove if Woodbury is top-15, if not top-10, material. The Royals handled business last week in a 55-0 win at Hopkins (0-7). Nine players rushed 44 times for 316 yards and six touchdowns, led by nine carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns by Isaiah Tisdale. George Bjellos went 6-for-8 passing for 60 yards and two touchdowns.

16. Centennial (5-2)

Last week’s ranking: 19

Next game: Oct. 20 at No. 15 Woodbury (5-2)

Ranking rationale: After No. 1 Rosemount (7-0) allowing 7.9 points per game, there’s no stingier defense in Class 6A. Just ask Minnetonka (4-3), which suffered an 8-7 loss last week at Centennial. That dropped the Cougar per game points allowed to 11.4. The problem is the offense is only scoring 16.9 per night. That’s good for 25th out of 32 teams. Ironically, Centennial outpaced its average in competitive losses to current No. 3 Stillwater (7-0) 29-28 in Week 1 and 24-17 at No. 2 Maple Grove (7-0) in Week 5. The Cougars have allowed just three touchdowns in the last three games and will look to slow down a Woodbury team putting up 26 a game.

17. Robbinsdale Armstrong (6-1)

Last week’s ranking: 11

Next week’s game: Oct. 19 vs. Spring Lake Park (5-2)

Ranking rationale: It seems a bit unfair to drop Robbinsdale Armstrong six spots this week, especially with a win over a team higher in the rankings like Chanhassen. However, the top 25 skews slightly toward recent performances, so this team takes a little collateral after dropping 14-7 at Chaska (5-2). The Falcons outgained the Hawks 276-227, but they couldn’t find the end zone after a Jamen Malone first-quarter touchdown. He passed for 159 yards and ran for 35, but two interceptions helped the Hawks. There’s no shame in the loss to a team that’s been in the top 25 and whose only losses were to Chanhassen and Waconia (5-2). The Falcons can climb back up in the rankings if they beat a solid team coming up on senior night.

18. Stewartville (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 22

Next week’s game: Oct. 19 at Rochester John Marshall (0-7)

Ranking rationale: It’d be fun to see Stewartville get the chance to take on some Class 6A or 5A powers. For now, we get to watch the Tigers obliterate some of Class 4A’s best. A week after beating reigning 4A runner up Kasson-Mantorville (5-2) 31-10, Stewartville thrashed Winona (5-2) 41-0. It was 21-0 at halftime. The Tigers rolled up 352 yards of offense. Ayden Helder went 15-for-20 for 111 yards and a touchdown. Owen Sikkink rushed 24 times for 189 yards. Winona was held to 109 yards of offense. Stewartville allows 4.7 points per game to lead Class 4A with Marshall close behind at 5.0.

19. Mound Westonka (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 18

Next week’s game: Oct. 19 at Spectrum (5-2)

Ranking rationale: Mound Westonka doesn’t necessarily deserve to drop a spot in the rankings this week, but Stewartville is coming off a highly impressive win and is right there with the White Hawks as far as Class 4A title contenders go. Mound Westonka earned its first shutout of the season with a 42-0 win last week at St. Paul Central (3-4). Seven players combined for 26 rushes for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Tyler Albert ran 14 times for 94 yards and three touchdowns. Carter Reinbold went 8-for-12 passing for 183 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. All but one win this season has come by 29 or more points, with the exception being a 28-14 win against the toughest opponent on the schedule, Fridley (5-2).

20. Sauk Rapids-Rice (6-1)

Last week’s ranking: 20

Next week’s game: Oct. 19 vs. Monticello (3-4)

Ranking rationale: The Storm had to battle for a bit, but they used a big third quarter to put away Moorhead (3-4) 33-20 last week. It was just a 7-0 halftime lead for Sauk Rapids-Rice. It’s comfortable in close one with all but one game this season decided by 14 points or fewer. Shaun Walrath led the way with 23 carries for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Keegan Patterson was efficient through the air at 9-for-13 for 103 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. With the Storm’s only loss coming by three points in a hard-fought game against current No. 11 St. Francis (7-0), Sauk Rapids-Rice can cap a marvelous regular season with a win on senior night Wednesday.

21. Rochester Mayo (6-1)

Last week’s ranking: 21

Next week’s game: Oct. 19 at Byron (5-2)

Ranking rationale: The Spartans scored a season high in last week’s 57-26 win at Austin (1-6). The Packers were tough to shake in the first quarter trailing 14-13, but like in the week prior against New Prague (4-3), Rochester Mayo used a big second quarter to pull away. This time, it was to go up 36-20 at the break. Isaiah Beale continued his strong play of late with 15 carries for 98 yards and three touchdowns. Rees Grimsrud was a crisp 15-for-19 for 204 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Carter Holcomb had an interception. The Spartans’ only loss was a tight one to current No. 10 and reigning state champion Mankato West. They don’t have a lot of good wins, though, so getting past Byron this week could be an indicator for the upcoming playoffs.

22. White Bear Lake (5-2)

Last week’s ranking: 23

Next week’s game: Oct. 19 vs. Totino-Grace (1-6)

Ranking rationale: There aren’t many sure fire things in an unpredictable Metro Maroon North district. Different teams have taken turns playing well and almost everyone can hang with the other. White Bear Lake has been one of the best in the logjam of teams. The Bears won their second game in a row and pitched their first shutout of the season in a 23-0 win vs. Osseo (3-4). A stamp was put on the game early with a 13-0 first quarter start. Rayshaun Brakes led with eight carries for 99 yards and Gavin Knutson threw for 86 yards and a touchdown on just three completions. WBL’s only losses were by five points to Blaine (3-4) in Week 1 and by seven points at current No. 3 Stillwater (7-0) in Week 5. Three wins have come by 25 or more points.

23. Marshall (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 25

Next week’s game: Oct. 19 vs. Belle Plaine (2-5)

Ranking rationale: This is far from breaking news, but in case you didn’t know, it’s still incredibly tough to score on Marshall. No team has exceeded 14 points against the Tigers in a trend that continued with their 14-6 win at Jordan (4-3). Tyler Maeyaert and Jett Wing had interceptions. Chidi Nwakama led with 88 rushing yards and a touchdown. Five points allowed per game would lead Class 4A most years and narrowly trails Stewartville at 4.7. That’s a potential state tournament game a lot of folks would like to see. There are question marks with the offense, but the Tigers look on track to get through the regular season unscathed.

24. Simley (6-1)

Last week’s ranking: 16

Next week’s game: Oct. 19 vs. Two Rivers (1-6)

Ranking rationale: It doesn’t feel right to slot Simley eight spots down this week, but without many top-25 teams losing, there was room to tumble. The Spartans hung with reigning Class 5A runner up Mahtomedi for three-plus quarters, but a strong finish by the Zephyrs spelled doom in a 38-13 final score. Caden Renslow had a nice game through the air going 13-for-24 for 250 yards but a pair of touchdowns and a lack of a run game to complement made life difficult. It was the only top-25 game Simley has played this year, but the Class 4A Spartans have throttled a mix of 4A and 5A teams all by 20 points or more. Simley is the cream of the crop in Section 3, so expect them back in the state tournament.

Mahtomedi football's strong fourth quarter leads it past Simley

25. Bloomington Kennedy (6-1)

Last week’s ranking: Unranked

Next week’s game: Oct. 19 at Minneapolis Henry (6-1)

Ranking rationale: Welcome to the party, Bloomington Kennedy. The Class 5A Eagles enter the top 25 for the first time this season after a 7-0 overtime win over a tough 4A SMB (4-3) team. Marques Monroe rushed in from five yards for the game-winner. It was their fourth win in five one-possession games in a stressful, yet successful season. Bloomington Kennedy’s surpassed its five wins from 2021 and its only loss came 23-20 in Week 3 to Minneapolis Washburn (3-4). The Eagles have played a relatively weak schedule compared to other teams in their class, but a win in Week 8 over one of the top 3A teams would help the resume. Bloomington Kennedy’s 7.6 points allowed per game ranks third in 5A. Teams in consideration for the top 25 this week also include, and not in order, Waconia (5-2), Hutchinson (6-1), Chaska (5-2), St. Paul Harding/Humboldt (6-1), Spring Lake Park (5-2), Andover (5-2), Grand Rapids (7-0), Holy Angels (5-2), Minnetonka (4-3), East Ridge (4-3) and Eagan (4-3).