Minnesota High School Football Unveils Top 20 Rankings After Exciting Week

This week in Minneapolis, the Minnesota high school football scene has seen thrilling games and powerful performances as the second edition of the Top 20 rankings kicks off. Some teams faced tough competition while others showcased their dominance on the field.

The new rankings aim to highlight the best football teams in the state, regardless of their class size. Each team faces its unique challenges, especially smaller schools that may struggle to compete with larger programs. With seven classes designated by the Minnesota State High School League, schools can vary greatly in size, from those with just nine players to massive programs with over 3,000 students. These numbers impact how teams can form and maintain their rosters.

So far this season, larger schools dominate the spotlight due to their size and talent pool, allowing them to field more capable players and keep them fresh throughout the game. With conditions as they are, only the best players at larger schools typically play both offense and defense, while smaller schools often rely on athletes to juggle both roles.

This week’s rankings show some shifts, especially after Lakeville South faced a surprising loss, dropping from the top spots. Here’s how the teams stack up:

1. Maple Grove (1-0) – Def. Osseo 55-7; Next: home vs. Champlin Park
2. Edina (1-0) – Def. Eagan 35-14; Next: home vs. Eden Prairie
3. Eden Prairie (1-0) – Def. Buffalo 40-6; Next: at Edina
4. Lakeville North (1-0) – Def. Stillwater 27-7; Next: home vs. Rosemount
5. Centennial (1-0) – Def. Coon Rapids 42-0; Next: at Blaine
6. Anoka (1-0) – Def. Champlin Park 25-13; Next: at St. Michael-Albertville
7. Shakopee (1-0) – Def. Hopkins 59-35; Next: at Prior Lake
8. Minnetonka (1-0) – Def. White Bear Lake 34-10; Next: home vs. Wayzata
9. Elk River (5A, 1-0) – Def. Chanhassen 44-22; Next: home vs. Brainerd
10. Wayzata (1-0) – Def. Lakeville South 17-14; Next: at Minnetonka
11. Rosemount (1-0) – Def. Eastview 41-3; Next: at Lakeville North
12. Lakeville South (0-1) – Lost to Wayzata 17-14; Next: home vs. Farmington
13. Alexandria (5A, 1-0) – Def. Chaska 24-6; Next: home vs. Monticello
14. Mankato West (5A, 1-0) – Def. Northfield 31-6; Next: home vs. Andover
15. Rogers (1-0) – Def. Sartell 20-0; Next: at Moorhead
16. Prior Lake (1-0) – Def. Forest Lake 22-19; Next: home vs. Shakopee
17. Stillwater (0-1) – Lost to Lakeville North 27-7; Next: home vs. Woodbury
18. Sauk Rapids-Rice (5A, 1-0) – Def. Irondale 40-14; Next: home vs. Sartell
19. St. Thomas Academy (5A, 1-0) – Def. Andover 21-14; Next: home vs. Waconia
20. Becker (4A, 1-0) – Def. Hill-Murray 51-0; Next: at Providence Academy

Fans are looking forward to Friday’s games, which promise to be exciting as teams aim to climb the ranks. With so much talent and determination, the weeks ahead are sure to bring more surprises.