We’ve entered Week 4 of the high school football season in Minnesota, which is officially the halfway point of the regular season. Time flies, right?
Admittedly, the top 10 games we picked last week turned out to be 50-50, with about half of them turning into blowouts. Let’s see if we can do better by picking 10 games that will be closely contested in Week 4. Here they are in no particular order.
1. Lakeville South vs. Eagan (Thursday)
This is a big boy game as the undefeated Cougars host the 2-1 Wildcats. In terms of rankings, Lakeville South is No. 2 in the state (regardless of class) in the QRF rankings at Minnesota-Scores.net and Eagan is 11th.
2. Eden Prairie vs. Shakopee
Shakopee is going to find out how they they are when they take their 3-0 record into Eden Prairie against the perennial power. Shakopee smoked Hopkins, beat Prior Lake by three touchdowns and then topped Wayzata 21-17 last week. Eden Prairie smashed Buffalo and Edina and then beat Prior Lake 28-14 last week.
3. Anoka vs. Maple Grove
Speaking of being highly ranked in the QRF, Anoka is No. 1 in the state. Yep, the Tornadoes went 1-8 last season and are now the top dog in Minnesota. Maple Grove is the defending 6A champ and is ranked 17th in the QRF despite just one loss this season. That loss was to Champlin Park. Anoka beat Champlin in Week 1.
4. Braham vs. Barnum
This one is sure to be a great game as both teams are 3-0. Braham is No. 1 in the Class A QRF rankings and Barnum is No. 10 in the Class 2A QRF rankings. Braham has outscored its opponents 148-18, having allowed just six points in all three games.
5. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop vs. Lester Prairie
This one is a dandy as both teams are 3-0 and literally tied for second in the Class A QRF rankings. GFW has smoked all three opponents so far and Lester Prairie has shut out its opponent the last two weeks.
6. Cannon Falls vs. Caledonia
Here we go again. Both teams are undefeated, Cannon Falls is No. 1 in the Class 2A QRF and Caledonia is No. 5 in the 2A QRF. Caledonia has scored 161 points and allowed 13 so far. Cannon Falls has outscored foes 148-42.
7. Esko vs. Pequot Lakes
This the game of the week in Class 3A as two undefeated, ranked third (Pequot) and fourth in the QRF, respectively, go to battle in Esko. Esko features future Golden Gopher Koi Perich. Esko has played Duluth East, Proctor and Mora and outscored them an incredible 202-20.
8. Hutchinson vs. Rocori
Can anyone slow down the Hutch Tigers? Rocori, 2-1, will get a chance Friday night when they travel to face the Class 4A juggernaut. Hutch is feeling pretty good after beating Totino-Grace last week.
9. Moorhead vs. Brainerd
Brainerd has been pounding opponents and now faces a Moorhead team that took down Bemidji last week.
10. Rogers vs. Spring Lake Park
It’s quickly becoming clear that Rogers is one of the top teams in 5A, having blown out Sartell-St. Stephen, Moorhead and Irondale to start the season. Now they face a 2-1 Spring Lake Park squad that has squeaked out back-to-back 14-13 victories over St. Francis and Park Center.
