Two weeks down in the prep football regular season — one-quarter of the way through — and some opinions have started to firm up. Here are four takeaways from the season so far:
Eden Prairie the class of 6A football early on
The results two games in indicate there's a gap between the Eagles and the rest.
September 11, 2017 at 1:05AM
1. Eden Prairie is clearly the best team in Class 6A. The Eagles dismantled a dang good Lakeville North team 41-13 behind a big offensive line, a stream of talented skill players and a rugged defense that held the Panthers to 248 total yards. Things could change (these are kids, after all), but right now Eden Prairie is on top and no one else is close.
2. The rest of 6A is wide open. The Nos. 2, 3 and 4 teams in last week's Metro Top 10 — Lakeville North, Totino-Grace and Blaine — all lost by significant margins. Sorting out the rest of Class 6A will likely take the entire season.
3. Look to the defenses. Minnetonka and Maple Grove, who face each other Friday, have each given up just 13 points this season. Eden Prairie hasn't allowed a point before halftime while St. Michael-Albertville has allowed just one score before halftime. Defending 4A champ Benilde-St. Margaret's shut out Orono, which had put up 49 the week before. If there's an early trend, it's the fact that defenses are winning games.
4. New faces. A few teams that have long been afterthoughts have made early statements. Irondale is 2-0 and has outscored opponents 63-0 in the first half. Brooklyn Center is 2-0 for the first time since 2010 while Spectrum Charter is undefeated and averaging 56 points per game. Centennial and Roseville are off to strong 2-0 starts.
METRO TOP 10
1. Eden Prairie (2-0): Jon Gruden was on hand to see the latest exhibition of Eagles dominance. Next: at Prior Lake, Friday, 7 p., m.
2. Maple Grove (2-0): The Crimson got dirty in a throwback 9-6 victory over Prior Lake. Next: at No. 4 Minnetonka, Friday, 7 p.m.
3. Edina (2-0): RB Matt Cavanagh is a horse. He has 65 carries, 303 yards, four TDs in two games. Next: vs. Wayzata, Friday, 7 p.m.
4. Minnetonka (2-0): The Bay Bell, given to the winner of the Tonka/Wayzata game, will spend another year with the Skippers. Next: vs. No. 2 Maple Grove, Friday, 7 p.m.
5. Lakeville North (1-1): Don't expect the loss to Eden Prairie to linger. Next: at Farmington, Friday, 7 p.m.
6. St. Michael-Albertville (2-0): Senior RB/S Mitchell Kartes is making a case for Metro Player of the Year honors. Next: vs. Champlin Park, Friday, 7 p.m.
7. Champlin Park (2-0): No Bennett Otto? No problem so far. Joey Faulds has held down the QB job nicely. Next: at No. 6 St. Michael-Albertville, Friday, 7 p.m.
8. Centennial (2-0): RB Sam Bonfe has five TDs in 27 carries this season. Next: at Anoka, Friday, 7 p.m.
9. Totino-Grace (1-1): The youthful Eagles have fallen behind by double digits early in both games. Next: vs. Mounds View, Friday, 7 p.m.
10. Roseville (2-0): A last-minute drive and final-play TD lifted the Raiders over Woodbury. Next: at Stillwater, Friday, 7 p.m.
Others to watch: Blaine, Prior Lake, Cretin-Derham Hall, Elk River (5A), Cooper (5A).
If Jimmy Butler wants a trade, the Miami Heat have no plans to make him happy.
