It wouldn’t be polite to gloat. And, truthfully, too soon. There’s still one game left in the regular-season schedule, which comes to a much-too-soon conclusion this week.
But I have to remind high school football fans that I’ve been consistently ranking Maple Grove No. 1 in the Minnesota Top 20. As others have come and challenged for the top spot, the Crimson — among Class 6A teams — has answered the bell each week and come out unscathed.
Over the past four weeks, Maple Grove has gone about emphasizing their edge, outscoring opponents 192-35 in that span. They’ve done it largely without the services of running back Charles Langama, who hasn’t been in the lineup since a 35-0 walloping of Blaine on Sept. 27.
Meanwhile, let’s take a moment to recognize Moorhead’s 36-34 victory over Alexandria, a matchup that lived up to its advanced billing as the game of the year in Class 5A, and perhaps the entire state.
After Moorhead took the lead 36-34 with less than two minutes remaining, Alexandria moved into position for a game-winning field goal. The 44-yard kick by the Cardinals star kicker, future Gopher Daniel Jackson, drifted wide and to the left, making Moorhead’s 100-mile drive home Friday much more palatable.
The evidence is clear: football is being played at a high level across the entire state of Minnesota.
Week 8: The Minnesota Top 20
1. Maple Grove (7-0)
Previous: 1. Last: def. St. Michael-Albertville 56-7. Next: Thursday, at Minnetonka, 1 p.m.
