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Records deceive about several metro-area teams, plus the new metro top 10

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 09/22/19, 9:54PM CDT

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Last week, we looked at four teams flying high but doing it in relative secrecy. This week, let’s check out some teams that are better than their sub-.500 records would indicate.


Edina junior Sawyer Anderson broke two tackles in the fourth quarter of the Hornets' season opener against Centennial, the only game they've won so far. But don't rule them out. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Last week, we looked at four teams flying high but doing it in relative secrecy. This week, let’s check out some teams that are better than their sub-.500 records would indicate.

Class 6A

Edina (1-3): The Hornets started strong with an impressive victory over a good Centennial team, but a loss to Wayzata — no shame there — started a three-game slide. The Hornets are physical but have been inconsistent. That must change if they hope to stay with St. Michael-Albertville and Eden Prairie.

Shakopee (1-3): The Sabers went toe-to-toe with Eden Prairie on Friday, losing just 14-6 after leading 6-0 at halftime. And in a near rally in a two-point loss to Prior Lake and a 35-7 loss to St. Michael-Albertville that was more competitive than the score would indicate, Shakopee could be on the verge of good things.

Woodbury (1-3): After starting the season with games against Lakeville North, Eden Prairie and Mounds View, Friday’s 42-14 victory over Stillwater was most certainly cathartic for the Royals.

Class 5A

Andover (1-3): The combined record of the three teams that have defeated the Huskies is 11-1, and those losses have been by a total of 20 points.

Mahtomedi (1-3): It’s been more than 20 years since the Zephyrs have been 1-3. The offense is still trying to find an identity, but rest assured this will be a team no one wants to face in the postseason.

Chanhassen (1-3): The defense gives up fewer than 16 points per game, but the offense has been inconsistent. In each of Storm’s past two games, a 14-7 loss to Benilde-St. Margaret’s and a 13-10 loss to Hopkins, they’ve had the ball in the final minutes with a chance to score but failed. That will change.

METRO TOP 10

1. Lakeville North (4-0): The Panthers were dominant in a 55-19 romp over Burnsville, running up a 42-0 lead before calling off the dogs.

2. Eden Prairie (4-0): Shakopee’s second-quarter touchdown Friday was the first score allowed by the Eagles in the first three quarters of any game this season.

3. Wayzata (4-0): The Trojans are at Eden Prairie on Friday in a must-see matchup.

4. Mounds View (4-0): Talk about clutch: The Mustangs went 93 yards in 1:40 and pulled out a 17-16 victory at Minnetonka on a 20-yard field goal with 18 seconds left.

5. Cretin-Derham Hall (4-0): The Raiders have always had talent. This year, under new coach Chuck Miesbauer, they’re combining it with a healthy does of grit.

6. St. Michael-Albertville (3-1): A road loss at Wayzata is a setback, sure, but it does little to diminsh the Knights.

7. Prior Lake (3-1): In the past, the Lakers have been a tough-luck team, unable to close out tight games. Not this year: Two of their three victories have been by a field goal or less.

8. St. Thomas Academy (Class 5A, 4-0): In less than two years under head coach Dan O’Brien, the Cadets are 16-1 with eight shutouts, including three this season.

9. Champlin Park (3-1): A 17-point second-quarter blitz fueled a 24-0 win over Osseo.

10. SMB Wolfpack (Class 4A, 4-0): There’s so much high-level talent on this team that they’ve taken to doling out sideline passes to media.

Others worth a mention: Lakeville South (3-1), Totino-Grace (3-1), Rosemount (2-2), Farmington (3-1), Elk River (5A, 4-0).

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