Top 25 Minnesota high school football rankings (10/22/2023)

Last week’s ranking: 1

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Osseo (0-8)

Ranking rationale: The Eagles have emerged as the clear cut top team since the midway point of the season. Eden Prairie capped the regular season with a 29-7 win at previous No. 20 Woodbury (4-4). 

The host Royals showed good fight to lead 7-0 early in the first quarter on a big touchdown pass. Head coach Mike Grant’s squad was stout afterward, scoring 29 straight points and leading 14-7 at halftime. 

Terae Dunn’s 72-yard touchdown run put the game away in the third quarter. The Eagles finished as the lone unbeaten in Class 6A. While some teams could hang with them through a quarter or two, they rarely had to break a sweat in the fourth quarter all season.

Last week’s ranking: 2

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. winner of Mankato East (3-5) at Waconia (3-5)

Ranking rationale: Chanhassen finished as one of two unbeatens in Class 5A. The Storm played a much tougher schedule than fellow 8-0 squad, No. 8 Alexandria. The top competition was earlier in the season, though, as Chanhassen rolled to a 58-0 win at St. Louis Park (1-7) in the season finale. 

Star running back Maxwell Woods was able to take it easy, ceding the reins to Josiah Cox, who ran for five touchdowns with four in the first half. The Storm are in a loaded section with No. 5 Mankato West (7-1). The winner of that, if that rematch comes about, will have the inside track to a state title.

Last week’s ranking: 3

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Roseville (1-7)

Ranking rationale: Champlin Park (3-5) isn’t the team it was earlier in the season, but Lakeville South picking up a 48-19 in the Rebels’ house is still an impressive feat. It was never close as Lakeville South took a 28-0 halftime lead. Champlin Park didn’t score until trailing by 41. 

Gaven Dean and Connor Cade each rushed for two touchdowns. 

Head coach Ben Burk’s ground and pound style is built for November football. The Cougars are a converted game-winning 2-point conversion vs. current No. 18 Rosemount (4-4) away from a perfect season.

Last week’s ranking: 4

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Coon Rapids (2-6)

Ranking rationale: The two Lakeville schools have been neck and neck in the Power 25 all year, which makes sense since their game went down to the wire and they’ve each maintained stellar seasons. The Panthers capped the regular season with a 56-7 win vs. Burnsville (2-6). It was 21-0 after a quarter and 35-7 at halftime. 

Riley Grossman finished 11-for-15 passing for 165 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Lakeville North ran for 345 yards at nearly 10 yards a pop. Sawyer Wilkie rushed 10 times for 117 yards and a touchdown. Brian Vossen has had a Coach of the Year caliber campaign. 

North will double its win total from a season ago with a win in the first round of the postseason.

Last week’s ranking: 6

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. No. 3 Chaska (4-4)

Ranking rationale: The Scarlets made a major statement to close the regular season, handing previous No. 8 Rogers (7-1) its first loss by a 28-0 score in Mankato. That was also the halftime lead as quarterback Bart McAninch threw for two touchdowns and ran in two more. 

Having a third-year starter like him is invaluable as the Scarlets enter the postseason in the Class 5A, Section 2 playoffs. The Scarlets’ only loss this year was to current No. 2 Chanhassen (8-0) in a game that would be fitting for the Prep Bowl, but would have to take place in the section finals.

Last week’s ranking: 7

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Burnsville (2-6)

Ranking rationale: Centennial’s defense put forth its best effort of an already strong season, blanking the reigning Class 6A runner up, current No. 18 Rosemount (4-4), by a 9-0 final. Daylen Cummings rushed for a short touchdown with 4:08 to go until halftime. 

Keaton Frase iced the game with a 36-yard field goal with 6:02 left in the game. After a 41-28 Week 3 loss at current No. 9 Maple Grove (6-2), it was uncertain if the Cougars were legit. 

They’ve answered the bell and have allowed 28 total points on their five-game win streak, which also includes wins over current No. 16 St. Michael-Albertville (5-3) and No. 17 Anoka (6-2).

Last week’s ranking: 9

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. winner of St. Francis (1-7) at Cambridge-Isanti (3-5)

Ranking rationale: Andover is responsible for knocking Robbinsdale Armstrong (6-2) out of the Power 25, ousting the previous No. 25 Falcons 42-7 on their home turf. The Huskies surrendered the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter before rattling off 42 straight. 

Andover led 28-7 at halftime. D’Mario Davenport had all three of his rushing touchdowns in the first half. Chase Pemberton hit Davenport for two passing touchdowns in the second half as part of three total. Andover picked off two passes. 

Class 5A is loaded, but the Huskies are looking like one of those teams with a shot at a deep run out of Section 7. Their only loss was in Week 2 at current No. 5 Mankato West (7-1). They own four wins over teams who have spent time in the ranking.

Last week’s ranking: 11

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. winner of St. Cloud Tech (1-7) at Bemidji (3-5)

Ranking rationale: Week in and week out, the Cardinals find a way to come out with the ‘W’. Alexandria handed Elk River (2-6) its fifth one-score loss, winning the fourth quarter 21-0 to pull out a 34-30 win over the defending Class 5A champ. 

The host Cardinals never led until Andrew Flaten’s game-winning touchdown rush from seven yards out. This was Alexandria’s second game against a team that’s been in the Power 25 this season. The other was a 35-21 win in Week 5 at current No. 12 Brainerd (7-1).

Last week’s ranking: 10

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Park of Cottage Grove (3-5)

Ranking rationale: It was a slugfest early on, but Maple Grove was the one team to find an offensive stride in a 27-13 win vs. previous No. 5 Minnetonka (6-2). The Crimson never trailed but were deadlocked 6-6 with the Skippers at halftime. Kaden Harney finished 8-for-16 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown and Dylan Vokal was 2-for-2 for 100 yards and two touchdowns. 

Neither threw an interception. Both of Vokal’s passes were trick play touchdowns in the second half to help pull away. The Crimson aren’t blemish-free this season like in 2022 on the way to a perfect record and Class 6A Prep Bowl victory, but this is still a great football team that is two one-point losses away from being 8-0.

Last week’s ranking: 5

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Eastview (4-4)

Ranking rationale: A five-spot drop for the Skippers seems a bit steep, but there weren’t too many other losses from the Power 25 in Week 8. Minnetonka was deadlocked with current No. 9 Maple Grove (6-2) 6-6 at halftime but could not keep up in the second half of a 27-13 road loss to the defending Class 6A champ. 

It took a couple trick play touchdowns for the Crimson to pull away. Minnetonka’s only other loss came to this year’s 6A favorite, No. 1 Eden Prairie (8-0). The Skippers own three wins over current Power 25 teams. 

They have been hampered by losing starting quarterback Milos Spasojevic to injury, but they have faith in sophomore Caleb Francois, who led Minnetonka to a big win vs. current No. 14 Shakopee (5-3).

Last week’s ranking: 8

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. winner of Irondale (1-7) at Park Center (3-5)

Ranking rationale: The Royals were brought down to earth after a 28-0 loss at current No. 5 Mankato West (7-1). Talented starting quarterback Reece Dawson was knocked out in the first half with an injury, but the writing was already on the wall as West led 28-0 at halftime. Rogers is usually the one doling out games like this. 

The Royals’ closest of seven wins was by 13 points. Rogers has a great shot to make it to the Class 5A state tournament out of Section 6, which has just five teams and no others over .500.

Last week’s ranking: 13

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. winner of Sartell-St. Stephen (0-8) at Moorhead (4-4)

Ranking rationale: After St. Francis (1-7) scored the opening touchdown, it was all Brainerd in a 42-16 road victory. Eli Hoelz finished 9-for-16 passing for 181 yards, two touchdowns and no picks to go with nine rushes for 83 yards and three touchdowns. 

Jake Merseth was his favorite target with four grabs for 114 yards and a touchdown. The Brainerd defense picked off three passes. 

The Warriors’ lone loss this season was to current No. 8 Alexandria (8-0). Those two teams could meet again in the Class 5A, Section 8 championship. Brainerd leads the section in scoring at 40.9 points per game.

Last week’s ranking: 14

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Farmington (3-5)

Ranking rationale: After winning three straight knock-down, drag-out games against Power 25 competition, it had to feel nice to close the regular season with a 72-0 win on senior night vs. Hopkins (0-8). 

The Hornets are one of the hottest teams in the state and got out to a 30-0 lead through one quarter and 51-0 at halftime. 

Edina’s defense outscored Hopkins 9-0 with a safety and a 33-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Charles Gleason. John Warpinski rushed for four touchdowns. Edina still has to prove itself against elite competition, but it’s proven to be a top-10 team in Class 6A.

Last week’s ranking: 15

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Champlin Park (3-5)

Ranking rationale: My mouth was agape when I saw the score of Shakopee’s season finale. Did the Sabers suddenly become an arena football team? No, in fact, their 56-52 win vs. Blaine (3-5) was indeed played outdoors. It took a miracle to avoid the upset as Shakopee converted a 55-yard Hail Mary from Leyton Kerns to Brayden Kleine as time expired to flip a two-point deficit. 

It was a fitting ending to a crazy game that was tied 28-28 after three quarters. Shakopee rolled up 605 yards of offense with three 100-yard rushers led by Zach Docteur’s eight carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Shakopee’s three losses this season are to current top-15 teams. 

The Sabers own blowout wins over current No. 22 Prior Lake (4-4) and No. 18 Rosemount (4-4). They could be a dark horse team to make a run in the Class 6A playoffs.

Last week’s ranking: 16

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Hopkins (0-8)

Ranking rationale: Some thought the Ponies might take a big step back after a 7-1 regular season in 2022, but they finished close to that mark again in ‘23. Stillwater closed its regular season in style, 58-20 at Park of Cottage Grove (3-5). 

This one was never in doubt as the visitors staked a 28-0 lead after one quarter. Conor McGlynn passed for one touchdown and ran for two more. 

The Ponies own just one win over current Power 25 competition, No. 24 Forest Lake (5-3), so they have something to prove in the upcoming Class 6A playoffs.

Last week’s ranking: 18

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Rochester Mayo (3-5)

Ranking rationale: St. Michael-Albertville is peaking at the right time. The Knights closed the regular season on a four-game win streak. They’re winners of five of the last six after a 20-17 win vs. a tough Mounds View (4-4) team that’s suffered three one-score losses. 

STMA forged a 17-3 lead early in the second half before the Mustangs tied it late in the third quarter. A fourth-quarter 27-yard field goal by Keegan Tisch proved to be the game-winner. 

The Knights own a win over defending Class 6A champion Maple Grove (6-2) and are 3-2 against teams who have spent time in the Power 25.

Last week’s ranking: 19

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. East Ridge (2-6)

Ranking rationale: I thought Anoka might be on upset watch in Week 8, but the Tornadoes took care of business winning 30-18 at Wayzata (2-6), which has been down on its luck this season but still has a talented roster. 

Peyton Podany put it in the air a ton, going 23-for-49 for 303 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Ironically, it was a 19-yard touchdown rush by Zach Welch with 4:38 to go that sealed the victory. 

Anoka will have to find more from the running game that produced just 19 yards on nine attempts, but having a capable passing attack will give opposing defenses something different to scheme for.

Last week’s ranking: 17

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Blaine (3-5)

Ranking rationale: This season has had a little bit of everything for the Irish. The lows of losing their starting quarterback and suffering two early losses, to the highs of getting healthy and beating current No. 3 Lakeville South (7-1) on a walk-off 2-point conversion. 

Another low was felt in Week 8 as Rosemount fell 9-0 at current No. 6 Centennial (7-1). Rosemount’s defense did its part by recovering three fumbles and surrendering just one touchdown. 

It was a one-score game until Centennial iced it with a field goal midway through the fourth quarter. The Irish have flaws but aren’t a team others will want to face in the Class 6A playoffs. Head coach Jeff Erdmann led Rosemount to a Prep Bowl appearance in 2022.

Last week’s ranking: 21

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. winner of Duluth East (1-7) at Elk River (2-6)

Ranking rationale: The Storm don’t always run up style points, but they find ways to win in whatever the game dictates. A 35-28 win over a 4-4 Moorhead team doesn’t jump off the page, but the Spuds have played a brutal schedule with all four losses coming in competitive games to current top-20 teams. 

So Sauk Rapids-Rice deserves a small bump in the Power 25 for taking care of business on senior night against a hungry opponent. 

Last week’s ranking: N/R

Next game: Oct. 27 at Mounds View (4-4).

Ranking rationale: After four straight losses, the Lakers seem to be getting their groove back as the postseason looms. Prior Lake capped the regular season with its third straight victory, a 39-6 romp at previous No. 22 Buffalo (5-3). It was scoreless after one quarter before Prior Lake exploded for a 25-6 halftime lead. Caden Wick hit Jaxson Barrett for two 50-plus yard touchdowns. 

The Lakers’ four losses all came to Power 25 opponents with two of them one-score games. This shows they may not be able to make a run to the Prep Bowl, but they’re very much trending toward a possible state tournament appearance. 

I think Prior Lake may feel snubbed by having to go on the road in round one.

Last week’s ranking: 12

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. winner of Hastings (2-6) at No. 25 Two Rivers (7-1)

Ranking rationale: A six-game win streak in the middle of the season was bookended by tough losses. The first was a blowout against Andover (7-1), which is looking like a Class 5A state title contender. The regular season finale for the Cadets resulted in a 35-34 loss at Chaska (4-4). 

St. Thomas Academy got out to a 14-3 lead after one quarter and took a 21-17 halftime advantage. It was back and forth from there as the teams went to overtime tied at 27 thanks to a 37-yard field goal by Chaska with 18 seconds left in regulation. 

Savion Hart rushed for his second touchdown of the game to put STA up 34-27. Chaska responded with a touchdown and ran in the 2-point conversion for a walk-off win. The Cadets have looked awesome against inferior foes, but they’re still learning to hang with higher end competition in year one with a new head coach.

Last week’s ranking: 24

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. winner of Bloomington Kennedy (2-6) at Apple Valley (3-5)

Ranking rationale: Bloomington Jefferson capped one of its most successful regular seasons in recent memory with a 30-6 win at Rochester John Marshall (3-5). The Jaguars haven’t played the most daunting schedule among their Class 5A brethren, but they’ve closed on a seven-game win streak with five double-digit wins. We’ll see what Jefferson is made of when it finally faces a Power 25 opponent. 

That could be top seed in Section 3, No. 23 St. Thomas Academy, in a game to go to state. Jefferson is the No. 2 seed.

Last week’s ranking: 23

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. winner of Little Falls (4-4) at Princeton (6-2)

Ranking rationale: After nearly suffering a catastrophic upset to Big Lake (1-7) last week, Becker had no issue winning 43-0 at Foley (4-4). This was the Bulldogs’ third opponent shutout. 

It was the fifth time eclipsing 40 points on offense. After getting upset in last year’s section championship, Becker may have an improved team to make it back to its usual spot in the Class 4A state tournament.

Last week’s ranking: N/R

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Wayzata (2-6)

Ranking rationale: The Rangers are back in the Power 25 after recording their most dominant victory of the season, a 36-0 win on senior night vs. Roseville (1-7). Eight rushers combined for 44 carries, 222 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. 

Cole Gerrell passed for three touchdowns and ran in another. Forest Lake enters the postseason with momentum after a 35-13 win at Eagan (3-5) the week prior. The Rangers’ three losses this season are by a combined eight points, two of which were to current top-20 teams. 

The other was to Woodbury (4-4), which was the top team left out of this week’s Power 25.

Last week’s ranking: N/R

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Hastings (2-6)

Ranking rationale: There were plenty of teams in consideration for the Power 25 left out this week. Woodbury (4-4) and Mounds View (4-4) came to mind in Class 6A. The two 6-2 Robbinsdale schools, Armstrong and Cooper, came to mind from 5A. 

Instead, the nod goes to a debutant to the ranking, Two Rivers. The Warriors feasted on a weak schedule to get to October with just one loss, which made it tough to have confidence in their record. A 9-7 loss at Hastings (2-6) in Week 2 did not end up looking good. Two Rivers has been much improved ever since. 

It capped the regular season with a 38-21 win vs. defending Class 4A champion, Simley (5-3). Two Rivers led 21-0 after one quarter. Simley got within 10 in the fourth quarter, but Two Rivers was in control throughout. Riley Pearce rushed for three touchdowns. Johnny Laugerman caught touchdowns of 78 and 27 yards. 

The Warriors may enter the Class 5A, Section 3 playoffs with a chip on their shoulder. Two Rivers earned the No. 4 seed and is on No. 1 seed/No. 21 St. Thomas Academy (6-2)’s side of the bracket. Apple Valley (3-5) drew the No. 3 seed and projects to face No. 2 seed/No. 22 Bloomington Jefferson (7-1) in the semifinals.