Prep metro football top 10

Depending on your point of view, the third week of the football season either clarified some uncertainties or muddied things even more. On one hand, traditional powers Eden Prairie, Lakeville North and Rosemount reaffirmed their status among the metro elite while newcomers Burnsville and Armstrong showed they still need a little more seasoning.

On the other hand, Prior Lake's home loss to Wayzata was unexpected, and Osseo and Totino-Grace were unimpressive in closer-than-expected victories. Finally, what to do about Class 5A powers such as Elk River and Cooper, both of whom have shown they can compete with the big boys?

1. Eden Prairie (3-0): With the Eagles' winning streak at 33, one wonders if the Vikings realize they're playing second-fiddle within their own city?

2. Osseo (3-0): Anoka and its newly installed spread offense gave the Orioles all they could handle in a six-point loss.

3. Lakeville North (3-0): An attacking defense is the Panthers' identity, and it showed in Friday's 29-18 victory at Burnsville

4. Wayzata (3-0): A 14-point surge in a span of less than two minutes in the fourth quarter turned a loss into a 24-17 victory at Prior Lake.

5. Rosemount (3-0): A 41-donut victory over Eastview on Friday will be followed by home games against a pair of teams with sub-.500 records.

6. Maple Grove (2-1): The defense, a work in progress for the first three games, will need to come of age quickly to compete Friday at Eden Prairie.

7. Totino-Grace (2-1): Junior QB Kyle Halvorson still is getting comfortable but has shown an impressive upside.

8. Prior Lake (2-1): Giving up 17 fourth-quarter points in a loss to Wayzata is not what we've come to expect from the Lakers' typically stout defense.

9. Burnsville (2-1): With a number of players playing both ways, the Blaze ran out of gas against Lakeville North.

10. Elk River (3-0): The lone Class 5A team in the rankings is averaging 50 points per game.

Jim Paulsen