Staff writer Jim Paulsen offers up a Class 6A preseason metro top 10 and a handful of teams to watch in other classes.
Class 6A
1. Lakeville South (10-2 in 2019): The Cougars bonded after losing their head coach midseason in 2019. Expect that momentum to carry over this year under no-longer-interim coach Ben Burk.
2. Eden Prairie (7-3): Do not expect the veteran Eagles to lose three games again this year. They might not lose any.
3. Wayzata (13-0): The defending Class 6A champs graduated big chunks of the 2019 team but have talent, much of it untested.
4. Rosemount (7-4): The stout Irish defense will keep them in games and perhaps even win a few. How quickly will QB Jordan Modrynski get comfortable as a starter? (Note: The team's game Friday at Lakeville North was canceled Thursday afternoon because Irish players are in quarantine.)
5. Lakeville North (10-2): Anchored by a strong offensive line, the Panthers also have plenty of candidates to run behind it. The defense is a bit green and needs seasoning.
6. St. Michael-Albertville (5-4): As has become typical of coach Jared Essler's teams, the Knights have enviable balance with depth and athleticism to spare.
7. Cretin-Derham Hall (4-5): The key to the Raiders' success: Get the ball to Tre Holloman as much as possible. He will even see time at QB.
