From a distance, Week 3 always looked like a good one, but an upset could have lessened it. No such upset occurred, and that means it will be No. 1 vs. No. 2, the top two teams in Jim Paulsen's Metro Top 10 since the preseason, facing off on Friday night. Lakeville South, the defending Class 6A champion, will take on the Eagles, a perennial Minnesota football power, at Eden Prairie.
Best Friday football matchup comes from right off the top of the latest Metro Top 10 rankings
Lakeville South will travel to Eden Prairie for a game pitting teams that have been No. 1 and No. 2 since the preseason.
September 13, 2022 at 9:22PM
Here's Paulsen's latest Metro Top 10, with his comments:
1. Lakeville South (2-0): Def. Lakeville North 34-0. The Cougars are like a herd of rampaging elephants, trampling everything in their path.
2. Eden Prairie (2-0): Def. Farmington 51-7. Are the Eagles ready for their showdown with Lakeville South on Friday? Certainly depth is in place. Fourteen players carried the ball against Farmington.
3. Prior Lake (2-0): Def. Shakopee 24-16. Joey Krouse made a game-saving tackle at the goal line on the last play of the game. Is destiny coming into play?
4. Maple Grove (2-0): Def. Totino-Grace 45-7. In two games, the Crimson have recovered a fumbled punt snap for a touchdown, returned a punt and an interception for scores and gotten a safety.
5. Minnetonka (2-0): Def. Blaine 21-14. The Skippers are finding ways to pull out the close ones. That says grit.
6. Stillwater (2-0): Def. East Ridge 45-17. Get out now and see Ponies QB Max Shikenjanski, who has thrown for eight touchdowns and 791 yards. He's playing basketball in college.
7. Woodbury (2-0): Def. Eastview 31-13. The opportunistic Royals have picked off five passes this season and returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
8. Shakopee (1-1): Lost to Prior Lake 24-16. After the Sabers missed an extra-point attempt that would have tied the score, Prior Lake returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. How quickly momentum can change.
9. Hutchinson (4A, 3-0): Def. Willmar 44-0. Some have questioned whether the Tigers belong in these rankings. Absolutely they do. This is a program that could compete well at any level.
10. Elk River (5A, 2-0): Def. Andover 67-35. The Elks' Power-T is a wonder. All nine touchdowns from scrimmage were on plays of at least 23 yards.
On the cusp: Rosemount, Champlin Park, Forest Lake, St. Thomas Academy.
Six players plus head coach Garrett Raboin and assistant coach Ben Gordon are from Minnesota. The tournament’s games will be televised starting Monday.
