Metro Football Top 10
Outside of the three remaining undefeated teams in Class 6A, ranking the rest of the metro top 10 is trying to make sense of a confusing scenario. For example, Wayzata routed Prior Lake but was stuck in neutral against Maple Grove. So Maple Grove should move ahead of Wayzata, right? But, wait, Maple Grove has two losses. That should certainly be a factor. And how far should Wayzata fall? The loss was at home, after all, but it can't fall below Prior Lake. Or should it? I gave Wayzata a one-game mulligan, dropping it to No. 6. In the meantime, East Ridge and Mounds View have deservedly climbed back into view.
1. Eden Prairie (5-0): Eden Prairie led 35-0 at halftime and coasted to a 49-7 victory over Minnetonka. It hosts Prior Lake on Friday.
2. Lakeville North (5-0): The Panthers will retain the Big Cat Trophy, awarded to the winner of the annual game between Lakeville North and Lakeville South, for a sixth straight year after a 38-28 victory.
3. Rosemount (5-0): The Irish beat Eagan 20-6. The Wildcats' third-quarter touchdown ended Rosemount's streak of 10 straight quarters without allowing a point.
4. Totino-Grace (4-1): The running back tandem of Gayflor Flomo and Ivan Burlak has combined to rush for 598 yards over the past two weeks.
5. Burnsville (4-1): In its four victories, the Blaze has outscored its opponents 129-12.
6. Wayzata (4-1): Friday's 24-6 loss to Maple Grove was a reality check for the Trojans, who picked up 80 of their 132 yards of total offense on their lone scoring drive.
7. Prior Lake (4-1): The Lakers got back to what they do best in a 25-15 victory over Edina: Run the ball (228 yards rushing) and play stubborn defense (160 total yards allowed).
8. Maple Grove (3-2): The team that routed Wayzata is the one we've expected to see all season. Looks like the defense, which held the Trojans to 22 yards rushing, has rounded into shape.
9. East Ridge (4-1): It's pretty obvious now that the season-opening loss to Lakeville North says more about the Panthers' strength than the Raptors' weaknesses.
10. Mounds View (4-1): The poster children for team consistency. Mounds View has scored between 20 and 28 points in every game, and only one team, East Ridge, has scored multiple touchdowns on the Mustangs defense.
JIM PAULSEN
