Eden Prairie and Minnetonka, Nos. 1 and 2 in the Twin Cities, to meet Friday

When you've established the standard of excellence that Eden Prairie has, it seems like each week is the next Big Game. The undefeated and top-ranked Eagles have already fought off challenges from powers Lake­ville North and Maple Grove. They are the stick by which others measure themselves.

There's another big game — perhaps the biggest of the season — on tap for Eden Prairie this week. The Eagles host Minnetonka, which is fresh from a physical, 28-27 victory over Edina. The Skippers are 6-0, their best record this late in the season since Dave Nelson took over as head coach in 2004. Quarterback Aaron Syverson seems to get better each week, putting up terrific passing numbers (15-for-20, 226 yards, two TDs) against the Hornets.

Eden Prairie and Minnetonka are Nos. 1 and 2 in this week's Metro Top 10 and are also the top two in the Associated Press' Class 6A rankings.

For Minnetonka, Friday's game at Eden Prairie is an opportunity to show what it can do against the team many consider the best in the state.

For Eden Prairie? It's just another big game.

• It's time to give Andover a little love. The Huskies stumbled in an opening loss to Alexandria, but since then they have been unstoppable. They have won five in a row, averaging more than 500 yards of offense and 46 points per game. QB Connor Knoepfle has thrown for 1,276 yards and 12 TDs, RB Carsen Syke has 830 yards rushing, and senior Andy Groebner is a touchdown machine with 13 on just 35 carries.

• Northfield is 6-0, buoyed by a stubborn defense that gives up less than 200 yards per game. The Raiders get their biggest test of the season Friday when they host No. 1, 5A Owatonna.

2. Minnetonka (6-0): The Skippers trailed three times but battled back to defeat Edina 28-27. Next: at No. 1 Eden Prairie, Friday, 7 p.m.

3. Edina (5-1): But for a pair of missed extra points in the lost to Minnetonka, the Hornets might still be undefeated. Next: at No. 10 Maple Grove, Friday, 7 p.m.

4. Centennial (5-1): The run-heavy Cougars took to the air for a pair of scoring passes in a 29-28 OT victory over Blaine. Next: at Champlin Park, Friday, 7 p.m.

5. Totino-Grace (5-1): The Eagles scored 28 points in their victory over Osseo, their highest point total of the season. Next: Friday, at Blaine, 7 p.m.

6. Rosemount (4-2): The Irish won an old-fashioned defensive battle, beating Lakeville South 9-6. Next: at Burnsville, Friday, 7 p.m.

8. Cooper (5A, 6-0): Big plays carried the Hawks over Richfield, with five TDs on plays of 27 yards or longer. Next: at North St. Paul, Friday, 7 p.m.

9. St. Michael-Albertville (5-1): The Knights had plenty of players step up in Mitch Kartes' absence in a 38-7 romp over Anoka: 10 players got offensive touches.

10. Maple Grove (4-2): The Crimson's two losses are to No. 1 Eden Prairie and No. 2 Minnetonka. Next: vs. No. 3 Edina, Friday, 7 p.m.