Minnesota high school football top 25 rankings: Lakeville North makes leap into top-15 (9/4/23)

The Panthers pummeled Stillwater on its own turf

Week one of the Minnesota high school football season was full of notable results. 

After sorting through all of them, here is the Power 25 entering week two:

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SBLive's Minnesota Power 25

1. Maple Grove (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 1

Next game: Sept. 8 at Champlin Park (0-1)

Ranking rationale: The Crimson remain on top after a dominating 35-0 home win against rival Osseo. New signal caller Kaden Harney was efficient in his debut, completing 13 of 18 passes for 217 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. 

Maple Grove is also new at running back with Charles Langama leading with 16 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown. The Crimson have a good shot at moving to 2-0 before hosting No. 7 Centennial in an intriguing Week 3 matchup.

2. Rosemount (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 2

Next game: Sept. 8 vs. No. 15 Lakeville North (1-0)

Ranking rationale: Rosemount saw Maple Grove’s 35-0 win over Osseo and said ‘I can do that, too.’ The Irish rolled to a 35-0 win of their own at home against Eastview. 

Rosemount has a tough schedule and could not afford to drop this one. The Lightning weren’t out of it at the half down 14-0, but the Irish’s defense made that lead impenetrable. 

3. Eden Prairie (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 3

Next game: Sept. 8 vs. No. 24 Edina (1-0)

Ranking rationale: Bison are usually comfortable on the prairie. They weren’t in Eden Prairie on Thursday night. The Eagles rolled to a 48-7 win over Buffalo at Aerie Stadium and had the result in the bag by halftime up 28. 

Hawken Hedlund rushed for two touchdowns and was one of six Eagles to find the end zone. New quarterback David Ivey passed for two touchdowns and ran one for another.

4. Lakeville South (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 4

This week’s game: Sept. 8 at Farmington (0-1)

Ranking rationale: In one of the more intriguing matchups of Week 1, Lakeville South knocked off previous No. 18 Wayzata 41-27 Friday in Lakeville. The Cougars scored the first three touchdowns of the game and led 27-7 at halftime. 

The Trojans pulled within six early in the fourth quarter, only for the home team to score the next two touchdowns to put the game away. 

Even without two-time Gatorade state player of the year, Carson Hansen, Lakeville South proved it could still run the ball effectively.

5. Mankato West (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 5

This week’s game: Sept. 8 at No. 13 Andover (1-0)

Ranking rationale: There were blowouts galore across the state in Week 1. That includes Mankato West’s 42-0 blanking at home against Northfield. 

The Scarlets don’t have many holes on a team that was ever so close to repeating as the Class 5A champ in 2022. The Raiders were held under 100 yards. 

Mankato West wasn’t at peak capacity on offense, but its talent and experience headed by third-year starting quarterback Bart McAninch (17-for-29, 279 yards, 2 TD) did more than enough to roll in this one.

6. Prior Lake (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 6

This week’s game: Sept. 8 at No. 12 Shakopee (1-0)

Ranking rationale: A win’s a win, as the old cliché goes. Especially when it’s a top-25 matchup, you’ll take them how you get them. The Lakers pulled out a 7-6 victory on Thursday against last week’s No. 20 in the Power 25, Forest Lake. 

The Rangers finished with a 7-3 record last season and looked the part defensively. Prior Lake’s defense also came to play, leading the way in a close win. Those types of games swung the other way for the Lakers en route to a 6-4 record last year.

7. Centennial (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 10

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. Blaine (1-0)

Ranking rationale: It took a strong fourth quarter to put the final nail in the coffin of Coon Rapids, but Centennial was able to breathe easy by game’s end in a 48-22 home victory. 

Maverick Harper ran for four touchdowns, including one for 27 yards. Quarterback Daylen Cummings passed and ran for a touchdown. 

The Cougars were a Class 6A state tournament team a year ago and could have the team to make it back, if not get to U.S. Bank Stadium.

8. Woodbury (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 11

This week’s game: Sept. 7 vs. No. 18 Stillwater (0-1)

Ranking rationale: The Royals left no doubt in a 55-14 win Thursday at Roseville. Receiver Quentin Cobb-Butler is a threat to go the distance whenever he touches the ball. 

The speedy senior housed kickoffs for touchdowns of 95 and 93 yards in the first quarter. Experienced quarterback George Bjellos also hit Cobb-Butler for a 16-yard touchdown for one of Bjellos’ three passing TDs.

9. Chanhassen

Last week’s ranking: 12

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. Owatonna (1-0)

Ranking rationale: The Storm showed resiliency in pulling out a win in what could prove to be its toughest matchup all season. 

Chanhassen overcame touchdown deficits after the first quarter and halftime to tie it up after three quarters and win it with three minutes, 18 seconds remaining on a touchdown from Brayden Windschitl to Daxton Bush to break a tied game at 28 and win 34-28. 

One of the state’s top running backs Maxwell Woods ran 12 times for 109 yards and a touchdown. 

Chanhassen did just enough on defense to fend off a relentless rushing attack that rushed for 391 yards on 68 carries. Elk River went 0-for-2 passing.

10. Elk River (0-1)

Last week’s ranking: 8

This week’s game: Sept. 8 at No. 21 Brainerd (1-0)

Ranking rationale: It was a shame either Chanhassen or Elk River had to lose in what was the best game of the week on paper and then on the gridiron. 

The defending Class 5A champion Elks got out to 21-15 halftime lead and never trailed until 3:18 left in the fourth quarter when the Storm completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to break a tied game and win 34-28. Elk River nearly beat a fellow 5A power without a passing yard. 

Head coach Steve Hamilton loves to run the ball and did so 68 times for 391 yards and four touchdowns. Brecken Keoraj led eight ball carriers with 25 rushes for 160 yards and a touchdown.

11. East Ridge (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 13

This week’s game: Sept. 7 vs. No. 22 Forest Lake (0-1)

Ranking rationale: Park of Cottage Grove made it interesting at times, but East Ridge took control in the second half for a 40-21 win at home. The Raptors never trailed and led by as much as 26 before the Wolfpack scored the final touchdown of the game. 

Tanner Zolnosky threw for 178 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. East Ridge was outgained 380 to 309 but a lot of those yards came in garbage time.

12. Shakopee (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 14

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. No. 6 Prior Lake (1-0)

Ranking rationale: The Sabers rolled up the most points in Week 1 among Power 25 teams, winning 72-16 at Hopkins. Shakopee moves up in part because of teams above it losing, but also for this dominating performance. 

Quarterback Leyton Kerns went 2-for-2 for 70 yards and a touchdown. Ten Sabers combined for 335 rushing yards and nine touchdowns led by 67 yards and two scores for Judah Forsberg.

13. Andover (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 17

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. No. 5 Mankato West (1-0)

Ranking rationale: The Huskies are this week’s biggest riser in the Power 25. Andover steamrolled previous No. 7 St. Thomas Academy 55-29 on the Cadets’ home turf. 

The Huskies were in control for all 48 minutes, scoring the game’s first 17 points and leading 45-15 at halftime. St. Thomas Academy also scored the game’s last 14 points with backups in the game. 

New quarterback Chase Pemberton went 17-for-22 for 206 yards, a touchdown and no picks. Seven Andover rushers combined for 263 yards and five scores. 

There’s no time for the Huskies to rest on their laurels. They can make another sizable jump in the Power 25 if they can knock off Mankato West when it comes to town.

14. Rogers (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 15

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. Moorhead (1-0)

Ranking rationale: It was over by halftime in Rogers’ 45-0 home win vs. Sartell. The visitors hung within a touchdown after one quarter before the Royals exploded. 

Reece Dawson passed for three touchdowns with two going to Tanner Carlson. Rogers closed 2022 strong with a run to the Class 5A state semifinals and is off to a fast start in 2023.

15. Lakeville North (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: N/R

This week’s game: Sept. 8 at No. 2 Rosemount (1-0)

Ranking rationale: The achievement loses some luster with Max Shikenjanski no longer quarterbacking Stillwater, but Lakeville North still took it to a proud Stillwater program on its home turf, 35-14. 

The Panthers are off to the right start in the quest for their first winning season since 2019. Riley Grossman led North with an 11-for-14 passing night for three touchdowns and no interceptions. 

Sawyer Wilkie rushed 23 times for 145 yards, nearly half of the Panthers’ 298 as a team. The Ponies were No. 9 in the preseason Power 25

16. Minnetonka (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: N?R

This week’s game: Sept. 8 at No. 19 Wayzata (0-1)

Ranking rationale: Minnetonka made mince meat of previous No. 21 White Bear Lake, 38-7. The host Skippers jumped out to a 38-0 halftime lead and had a shutout going until garbage time. 

Quarterback Milos Spasojevic was an efficient 10-for-15 with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Minnetonka also rushed for nearly five yards a carry as a team. 

After jumping into the Power 25 this week, the Skippers can keep climbing with another ranked win in Week 2.

17. St. Thomas Academy (0-1)

Last week’s ranking: 7

This week’s game: Sept. 8 at No. 23 Waconia (1-0)

Ranking rationale: It’s just one game, but Thursday was far from the start the Cadets were looking for after a 10-1 season in 2022. 

New head coach Travis Walch drew a tough opponent in Week 1 with Andover beating St. Thomas Academy 55-29 in Mendota Heights. 

Unfortunately for the blue and white, it wasn’t even as close as the final score may indicate with STA scoring the final 14 points in the fourth quarter after the result was in hand. It’s far too early to give up on the Cadets, especially with Savion Hart in the backfield. 

One of the state’s top backs rushed for all four of the team’s touchdowns, including an 80-yarder.

18. Stillwater (0-1)

Last week’s ranking: 9

This week’s game: Sept. 7 at No. 8 Woodbury (1-0)

Ranking rationale: It’s foolish to overreact to one game, but life is proving tough through one week without Shikenjanski. The program cornerstone quarterback is now with the Gophers after he led the Ponies to a 9-2 record and the state quarterfinals. 

Stillwater fell 35-14 Thursday at home to Lakeville North. It took a Panther touchdown with just over a minute left in the first half to make it a two-score game, but North controlled throughout the second half. 

The Panthers have been a solid team in recent years that hasn’t been able to get over the hump. This could be the year that they do. That could make this loss a bit more palatable for the Ponies come season’s end.

19. Wayzata (0-1)

Last week’s ranking: 18

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. No. 16 Minnetonka (1-0)

Ranking rationale: The Trojans drew a tough matchup in Week 1, falling 41-27 at No. 4 Lakeville South. The Cougars packed the first punch going up 21-0. 

The Trojans battled back to score 27 of the next 33 points, only for the home team to surge late and close out the game. 

Wayzata had trouble running the ball but got decent debut from quarterback Cole Helibrun going 16-for-32 for 233 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

Wayzata will have to get off the mat quickly with another Power 25 team up next.

20. Rochester Mayo (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 19

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. Eagan (0-1)

Ranking rationale: Rochester Mayo moved up to Class 6A this season and has a tougher schedule moving to the Metro South district. 

It wasn’t completely smooth sailing, but the Spartans passed their first test winning 29-18 at Burnsville. Mayo led 7-3 at halftime before being outscored 15-0 in the third quarter. 

“Anything you can do, I can do better” said the Spartans as they outscored the Blaze 22-0 in the fourth to complete the comeback. 

Rees Grimsrud finished 18-for-26 with 163 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Isaiah Beale ran 20 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

21. Brainerd (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: N/R

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. No. 10 Elk River (1-0)

Ranking rationale: Brainerd made one of the big statements of Week 1, winning 34-6 at previous No. 16 Mahtomedi. The Warriors led 7-0 after one quarter and had the result in hand by halftime up 28-0. 

Sean Holbrook rushed for a pair of touchdowns and Eli Hoelz passed for two more and rushed for another. After making its way into the top 25, Brainerd can keep climbing by putting up a good performance against the Class 5A defending state champs in Week 2.

22. Forest Lake (0-1)

Last week’s ranking: 20

This week’s game: Sept. 7 at No. 11 East Ridge (1-0)

Ranking rationale: One of the top matchups of Week 1 turned out to be a good one. Especially if you like defense. 

Unfortunately for the Rangers, they fell 7-6 at No. 6 Prior Lake. Forest Lake is lamenting scoring just six points after piling up 298 rushing yards on 32 carries (9.3 yards per carry). 

The Rangers will need to get more out of the passing game after going 1-for-6 for 14 yards, especially with another road test coming in Week 2.

23. Waconia (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: 22

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. No. 17 St. Thomas Academy (0-1)

Ranking rationale: Waconia couldn’t have been thrilled having to make the 110-mile ride to Rochester Century High School for Thursday’s Week 1 matchup, but at least the Wildcats made the most of the trek. Waconia rolled to a 48-0 victory. It was 28-0 at halftime. 

The Wildcats forced five turnovers. A hungry St. Thomas Academy team up next will provide a better look at if Waconia can match or exceed its 7-3 season a year ago.

24. Edina

Last week’s ranking: NR

This week’s game: Sept. 8 at No. 3 Eden Prairie (1-0)

Ranking rationale: Edina took it to a solid Eagan team that went 5-4 a year ago, winning 34-7 on the road. The Hornets led 14-0 at halftime and 28-0 after three quarters. Edina looks much improved from its 4-6 squad in 2022. 

Mason West finished 19-for-30 for 286 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Wildcats. If the Hornets are to remain in the Power 25, they’ll have to get more out of the running game. 

They finished under 100 yards in Week 1 and will face one of the toughest run defenses in the state next.

25. Simley

Last week’s ranking: 24

This week’s game: Sept. 8 vs. Totino-Grace (1-0)

Ranking rationale: The Spartans got to play in front of their home fans in their first game since being crowned Class 4A state champions in December. 

Simley got back to its winning ways, throttling Winona 37-6. It was in control all the way, leading 14-0 after one quarter, 21-0 at halftime and 30-0 heading to the fourth. 

Jerrod Jones demonstrated big play ability with touchdown rushes of 50, 76 and 30 yards to go with a touchdown reception of 29 yards. 

The Spartans drop a spot this week only because of teams jumping into the Power 25, not for any missteps of their own.