In Minneapolis, excitement is building as the high school football season picks up steam with the release of the newly established Top 20 rankings. This initiative aims to recognize the best teams in the state, regardless of their size. The challenge lies in balancing the representation of large schools and smaller institutions, as numbers play a significant role in the game of football.
The rankings reflect the difficulty for smaller schools to compete against larger ones, particularly when it comes to maintaining a deep roster. The Minnesota State High School League divides teams into seven classes, with some schools having as many as 3,000 students in Class 6A, while others participate in Nine-Person football programs. The difference in size influences the level of competition and the overall talent pool available to each team.
The latest rankings, which contain six teams outside of Class 6A, showcase how some smaller schools are making their mark. The results of last week’s games stirred things up, especially with Lakeville South’s recent loss. Here are the Week 2 rankings:
- 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.
As teams prepare for their upcoming games on Friday, all eyes will be on how the rankings evolve as the season unfolds. The focus remains on celebrating the top talent in high school football across the state, while understanding the unique challenges that come with competing across class sizes.
