Class 5A might present the most entertaining prep football tournament

The first round of section playoffs begin Tuesday (Class 6A starts Friday), so this is the final Metro Top 10 of the season.

What did we learn? Well, Totino-Grace is every bit as good as advertised. Eden Prairie is still Eden Prairie and has a great chance to win its fifth Class 6A title in six years. Rosemount and Lakeville North are in the thick of things, right where we expected. Expectations were a little over-the-top for Woodbury and Centennial, while Blaine probably didn't get the respect it deserved.

And there are so many very good teams in Class 5A — seven that are still undefeated — that the upcoming state tournament could be the most fun of any of the seven classes.

Here's my final Metro Top 10 of the season.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen's rankings of the top teams in metro through the final week of the regular season.

1. Totino-Grace (8-0): The Eagles defense has been its backbone all season. The unit only gives up 182.5 yards per game and has a plus-10 turnover margin. Offense comes and goes; defense is the constant.

2. Eden Prairie (7-1): After blanking Wayzata 41-0, Eden Prairie has shut out five of its last six opponents, four in a row. It hasn't given up a point at home since the season opener.

4. Lakeville North (7-1): No shame in a triple-OT loss to Rosemount. If anything, I expect the Panthers to come out with an extra helping of nasty in the playoffs.

5. Elk River (Class 5A, 8-0): Crazy to put the Elks this high? Nope. They earned it, closing out the regular season with impressive road victories at St. Francis and Moorhead.

6. East Ridge (6-2): There was a Dominik London sighting in an otherwise meaningless season-ending loss to Woodbury. With him in the back from injury, the Raptors can be scary-good.

7. Maple Grove (6-2): Coach Matt Lombardi's defense is playing the way he wants, fast and aggressive. It's no coincidence they've won four in a row.

8. Blaine (6-2): Backup QB Connor Melton has won his teammates over with his arm and his poise over the last four games spelling injured starter K.J. Downey. Downey's return gives the Bengals enviable options.