In Minnesota, high school football is heating up as teams gear up for the latest rankings. This week marks the release of the second edition of the Minnesota Top 20, a list that aims to showcase the best football teams in the state, irrespective of their school size. The challenge, however, lies in the numbers game—larger schools have the upper hand due to their ability to field more players.
The Minnesota State High School League divides teams into seven classes, which range from the smallest Nine-Person programs to Class 6A, consisting of the largest schools, often exceeding 3,000 students. Larger schools benefit from a larger talent pool, providing depth that is crucial in keeping players from wearing down during games. In contrast, players from smaller schools often have to juggle roles on both offense and defense, which can affect their performance.
This week, the rankings have seen some shifts at the top, particularly following Lakeville South’s close loss to Wayzata. Here’s a look at the Week 2 rankings:
1. Maple Grove (1-0) – Defeated Osseo 55-7. Next: home vs. Champlin Park, Friday, 7 p.m.
2. Edina (1-0) – Defeated Eagan 35-14. Next: home vs. Eden Prairie, Friday, 7 p.m.
3. Eden Prairie (1-0) – Defeated Buffalo 40-6. Next: at Edina, Friday, 7 p.m.
4. Lakeville North (1-0) – Defeated Stillwater 27-7. Next: home vs. Rosemount, Friday, 7 p.m.
5. Centennial (1-0) – Defeated Coon Rapids 42-0. Next: at Blaine, Friday, 7 p.m.
6. Anoka (1-0) – Defeated Champlin Park 25-13. Next: at St. Michael-Albertville, Friday, 7 p.m.
7. Shakopee (1-0) – Defeated Hopkins 59-35. Next: at Prior Lake, Friday, 7 p.m.
8. Minnetonka (1-0) – Defeated White Bear Lake 34-10. Next: home vs. Wayzata, Friday, 7 p.m.
9. Elk River (5A, 1-0) – Defeated Chanhassen 44-22. Next: home vs. Brainerd, Friday, 7 p.m.
10. Wayzata (1-0) – Defeated Lakeville South 17-14. Next: at Minnetonka, Friday, 7 p.m.
As the season progresses, it’s certainly exciting to see how these teams will compete. The rankings reflect the performances on the field, and changes can occur rapidly as teams prepare for the upcoming games. High school football fans can look forward to an action-packed week ahead.
