Week 4 provided a clear reading of the depth of the Class 6A football pool.
Football Metro Top 10: Eden Prairie leads list that lacks a Class 6A lock
At least eight large-school teams — and perhaps more — have legitimate championship hopes.
None of the largest programs in the state emerged as the favorite to win the Prep Bowl. Lots of them made it clear they have a chance.
Top-ranked Eden Prairie struggled to stop Shakopee's option and, uncharacteristically, was forced to outscore the Sabers; Lakeville South needed another late surge to win, this time against increasingly confident Eagan. Minnetonka fans spent a nervous fourth quarter as the fortuitous Skippers held for a one-point victory, and Lakeville North was frustrated by winless Farmington.
Anoka came back down to earth against defending champ Maple Grove. The Crimson led a pack of one-loss large-school teams, also including Forest Lake, Stillwater, Centennial and Woodbury, that showed a single loss didn't dull their edge.
Get ready for a fun final four weeks of the season.
The new Metro Top 10:
1. Eden Prairie (4-0): Other than the lofty point total required, a 42-28 victory over Shakopee was quintessential Eagles: establish a dominant running game and make crucial plays when you need them. Last week: 1.
2. Lakeville South (4-0): After beating Eagan 27-14 with two late touchdowns, the Cougars have scored 58 points in the fourth quarter this season. Last week: 2.
3. Minnetonka (4-0): The Skippers built a 10-point halftime lead but ended up getting past Prior Lake 17-16 on a missed extra point. Last week: 3.
4. Maple Grove (3-1): Kaden Harney threw three touchdown passes and Charles Langama ran for 198 yards and three scores as the Crimson scored 42 first-half points and coasted over Anoka 42-19. Last week: unranked.
5. Chanhassen (5A, 4-0): The Storm fought back a challenge from Waconia thanks to a 3-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run by Maxwell Woods (who else?). Last week: 5.
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6. Lakeville North (3-1): The Panthers avoided the dreaded letdown upset. After a hugely disappointing loss to Lakeville South two weeks ago, they held off Farmington 21-14. Last week: 7.
7. Shakopee (3-1): The Sabers exposed soft spots on the edges of the Eden Prairie defense in a 42-28 loss to the Eagles. Last week: 4.
8. Rogers (5A, 4-0): Wyatt Gilmore, committed to Oklahoma because of the way he plays defensive end, showed offensive skills, taking a swing pass 50 yards for a game-winning touchdown with less than a minute left in a 26-13 victory over Spring Lake Park. Last week: 8.
9. Forest Lake (3-1): The Rangers scored 14 fourth-quarter points in their 28-10 victory over White Bear Lake, despite missing starting QB Cole Gerrell. Last week: 9.
10. Centennial (3-1): Doing what they do best, the Cougars ran for three touchdowns and played bend-but-don't-break defense to beat host St. Michael-Albertville 19-6. Last week: 10.
Also worthy of consideration: Woodbury (3-1), Stillwater (3-1), Anoka (3-1), Robbinsdale Armstrong (5A, 4-0).
Six players plus head coach Garrett Raboin and assistant coach Ben Gordon are from Minnesota. The tournament’s games will be televised starting Monday.