Class A Rankings 1-2-11
Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 12:02 am
There were a lot of games played this week and many didn't make things easy. Lots of Team A beat Team B, Team B beat Team C, and Team C destroyed Team A. Let the discussion begin and let me know what you all think.
1. St Thomas Academy (4-3)
Not the greatest showing at the Gold Division of Schwan’s Cup, but a win over WBL and playing two quality AA opponents well keeps them up here. The Cadets have two good Class A opponents this week.
This week: Thurs vs South St Paul, Sat vs Mahtomedi
2. Breck (5-3)
While they didn’t win, Breck had a pretty decent showing against top Class AA competition in the Gold Division of Schwan’s Cup. A loss to WBL that St Thomas beat brings them down. This Tuesday the Mustangs will get to continue their Class A dominance.
This week: Tues @ St Paul Saints
3. Blake (7-1-1)
I was tempted to put Hermantown in this spot, but Blake’s 4 goal win of the team Hermantown tied keeps them up here. They will have played 1 game less than half their schedule after this week with two conference games and a game against one of the last three undefeated teams in MN.
This week: Tues @ St Paul Johnson, Fri @ Totino-Grace, Sat vs Minnehaha Academy
4. Hermantown (9-0-1)
The Hawks didn’t win their 3 games, but they didn’t lose any either and all 3 were against quality opponents. Hermantown has one of the state’s most difficult Class A schedules year in and year out. Without a slip by Breck or St Thomas, they won’t claim any higher, though, as they don’t play either of the Class’ top two teams this season.
This week: Tues vs Duluth Marshall, Sat vs International Falls
5. Hibbing/Chisholm (9-3-1)
While I will admit that based on head to head games each of Virginia and Little Falls would move up and Hibbing would be below them, the body of the work of all three is in this order in my opinion. Hibbing crushed a good Mahtomedi team and beat Spring Lake Park. They should have two good tests this week in their trip south.
This week: Fri @ Rochester Mayo, Sat @ Albert Lea
6. Virginia/MI-B (8-4)
The recent loss to Mahtomedi looks to be more a statement for the Zephyrs than the Blue Devils. We’ll see how they rebound this week against a good Cloquet team and the same teams Hibbing is playing Friday and Saturday.
This week: Tues @ Cloquet, Fri @ Albert Lea, Sat @ Rochester Mayo
7. Little Falls (9-1-2)
With Lourdes finally losing, and probably more to come, Little Falls should get the #4 seed if they make it to state. Good luck to the Flyers the rest of the way; there are plenty of 6A schools looking to knock them off.
This week: Tues vs St Cloud Apollo
8. Duluth Marshall (7-4-1)
Losing to Superior? C’mon Hilltoppers…well at least you beat Madison Edgewood. Seeing them win all their games this week would be a great sign, or at least two. The only Class A team they’ve lost to is St Thomas, but their wins have not proven much yet.
This week: Tues @ Hermantown, Fri @ Grand Rapids, Sat vs Rochester Lourdes
9. Proctor (8-2)
Too high? The Rails have beaten every Class A team they have played, including International Fails by 7 and recently Delano in OT. They will be tested this week, so we will have to see how this week turns out.
This week: Tues vs Superior, Thurs vs Duluth Central, Sat @ Ashland
10. Delano (7-2-1)
Playing Proctor this week will be a good test for both teams. Both teams have proven little but don’t have much against them on their schedule yet.
This week: Tues @ Waconia, Fri @ St Cloud Cathedral
11. Totino-Grace (7-0)
Totino-Grace was idle this week due to no holiday tournament and weather canceling their game in East Grand Forks. Their win over TRF keeps them this high with no real quality wins on their schedule. They should be tested this week; of their remaining 18 games, I count 4 that are not against quality opponents. This season the Eagles have the opportunity to prove there are the top Class A team in state or that their record is a reflection of the quality of opponents they’ve played.
This week: Wed @ Mahtomedi, Fri vs Blake, Sat vs Irondale
12. Crookston (6-5-1)
This is hard for me to do, but they went into WI and beat a Superior team that many are having trouble doing in MN. Their only losses in Class A thus far are to my #4 and #8. Good luck to the Pirates as they continue to make some change in 8A.
This week: Thurs vs Roseau
13. East Grand Forks (6-4)
The Green Wave lost to Hermantown by less than the Pirates did, but the head to head loss puts them here. If Warroad and TRF don’t have anything to say about it, these two top 15 teams could be in the section 8A final. They will be challenged this Tuesday; it will be a great test for them.
This week: Tues @ Moorhead, Thurs @ Grand Forks Red River
14. South St. Paul (7-2)
Their win over Tartan keeps the Packers above Mahtomedi. They have proven little this season, but have only lost to AA teams. They play the top two CSC teams this week. Not losing both games this week will help a lot.
This week: Thurs @ St Thomas Academy, Sat @ Hill Murray
15. Mahtomedi (3-7-1)
The Zephyrs’ record is not a reflection of their play. Of their 7 losses, 4 are to Class A teams in my top 8, two possible top 5 Class AA teams and a quality Tartan team. This will possibly be one of the most battle tested teams and regardless of their record be very prepared for sectional play. Two time defending section champion, they play two quality section opponents this week. I wouldn’t be surprised to see three wins this week.
This week: Wed vs Totino-Grace, Thurs @ Henry Sibley, Sat @ St Thomas Academy
16. Warroad (7-4)
The closeness of the 8A schools this year is probably exciting for the northland and will definitely make for a quality section tournament. There isn’t much of an opportunity to improve section standing this week, but they play two teams away this week in St Cloud who can both play with anyone.
This week: Fri @ St Cloud Tech, Sat @ St Cloud Cathedral
17. Thief River Falls (6-4-1)
A tie with Hermantown this week shows they can play with anyone, but their losses keep them toward the bottom of the top 20. Having a common opponent this week with EGF will help ranking these two next week with them not having played yet.
This week: Tues vs Kittson Central, Thurs vs Moorhead
18. Chisago Lakes Area (8-1)
Their 3 wins over WI teams don’t give much indication to their true ability, but one loss on their schedule and beating Coon Rapids show they can play. Their only quality opponents this season look to be Totino-Grace and Benilde, which will make assessing their ability tough as the season goes on.
This week: Tues vs Spring Lake Park, Sat vs Benilde
19. New Ulm (7-1-2)
Delano crushing them in New Ulm doesn’t help their case, but that being their only loss and beating the supposedly best team in WI is definitely helpful. Playing Litchfield this week will get their section a great feel for seeding the top two teams.
This week: Tues @ Dodge Country, Thurs vs Litchfield
20. Rochester Lourdes (11-1)
Losing to a team New Ulm beat? Supposedly the #1 team in WI, but New Ulm beat them and you didn’t? I wasn’t really impressed, only had the high because they hadn’t lost. Period. They did beat a Superior team that others have had trouble with, but have yet to play a team in the top 20 in Class A and are having more GA than a top team would. I have no doubt they’ll make it to state, but unless they upset someone before then, they will possibly fall further on my list.
This week: Tues @ Albert Lea, Sat @ Duluth Marshall
Watch List
Duluth Central (6-6)
This week: Mon @ Duluth East, Thurs @ Proctor
Fergus Falls (5-2-2)
This week: Tues @ Wadena-Deer Creek, Fri @ Wilmar
Detroit Lakes (7-3)
This week: Thurs vs Wadena-Deer Creek, Sat vs Wilmar
Sartell-St. Stephen (6-4)
This week: Thurs vs Alexandria, Sat vs Rogers
St. Cloud Cathedral (5-3)
This week: Tues vs Holy Family Catholic, Fri vs Delano, Sat vs Warroad
Orono (6-4)
This week: Tues vs Hutchinson, Thurs @ Hopkins
Mound-Westonka (5-3-2)
This week: Tues vs Litchfield, Fri @ Holy Family Catholic
Litchfield (6-0-1)
This week: Tues @ Mound-Westonka, Thurs @ New Ulm, Sat vs Hutchinson
Providence Academy (8-3)
This week: Thurs @ St Paul Academy, Sat vs St Paul Saints
Albert Lea (8-2)
This week: Tues vs Rochester Lourdes, Fri vs Virginia, Sat vs Hibbing
Eveleth-Gilbert (7-3)
This week: Thurs @ International Falls, Sat vs Silver Bay
Section Standings if the season ended today
1A
#20 Rochester Lourdes (11-1)
Albert Lea (8-2)
New Prague (3-6-1)
Mankato West (7-3-1)
I’m not convinced the section games against Lourdes will be very competitive but I’m told every week to not count anyone out. So I’m not. All of these top 4 play each other this season, so we should see this unwind in the coming weeks.
2A
#2 Breck (5-3)
#3 Blake (7-1-1)
#10 Delano (7-3)
Providence Academy (8-3)
Holy Family Catholic (4-5)
This is probably the deepest section in both classes. There are 9 teams that will make most of the quarterfinal games competitive. It is a toss-up of HF or PA making it to the semi’s, with probably a Breck/Blake final. I hope this game is televised. The winner will likely be the #1 or #2 seed at state, depending on how the Breck/St Thomas game goes.
3A
#19 New Ulm (7-1-2)
Hutchinson (2-5)
Litchfield (6-0-1)
New Ulm beat Hutch by a score of 1-0. Litch will be playing both Hutch and New Ulm twice this season. Both they and New Ulm control their destiny in section seeding. The #1 seed has a huge advantage in only having to play one tough game to get to state.
4A
#1 St Thomas (4-3)
#15 Mahtomedi (3-7-1)
#14 South St Paul (7-2)
#11 Totino-Grace (7-0)
#18 Chisago Lakes Area (8-1)
Mahtomedi is the two-time defending champion of this section and has yet to be defeated by a section foe. St Thomas plays both South St Paul and Mahtomedi this week as well as Mahtomedi playing Totino-Grace, so more than a simply objective ranking will be able to be made next week. If the Packers still had Wilcox, they’d probably be the favorite to win this section, but at the moment I suspect the final will be Cadets v. Zephyrs.
5A
#4 Hermantown (9-0-1)
#9 Proctor (8-2)
Rogers (3-5-1)
Sauk Rapids-Rice (3-6)
St Cloud Cathedral (5-3)
Hermantown looks to be the only legitimate team to put your money on for making it to the X. Proctor will play all of these teams aside from Cathedral by the end of the season. Rogers beat both of Cathedral and Sauk Rapids by a score of 2-1, Sauk Rapids in OT and Cathedral in Regulation, but got shut out by Hermantown.
6A
#7 Little Falls (9-1-2)
Sartell-St Stephen (6-4)
Fergus Falls (5-2-2)
Alexandria (4-6)
Detroit Lakes (7-3)
Northern Lakes (4-5)
How’d I do Central Lakes followers? Most of the conference play has yet to begin outside of games being played against Little Falls. I only used section games between these 6 teams to put this list together and I believe I got all the records correct.
7A
#6 Virginia (8-4)
#5 Hibbing (9-3-1)
#8 Duluth Marshall (7-4-1)
Duluth Central (6-6)
International Falls (2-7-1)
Eveleth-Gilbert (7-3)
Without head to head match ups in the top 4 aside from Hibbing/Marshall, knowing exactly what will happen is difficult. I used all the common opponents, Little Falls, International Falls, Mahtomedi, Spring Lake Park and Lakeville North, to compare Hibbing and Virginia overall.
8A
#12 Crookston (6-5-1)
#13 East Grand Forks (6-4)
#16 Warroad (7-4)
#17 Thief River Falls (6-4-1)
Lake of the Woods (4-4-1)
This list is very incomplete as there are only a handful of head to head games, which is all I’ve used to put them in order. Luckily, though, there are few enough that they line up for the most part. I put TRF over LOW based on record.
State Seeding if Section Top Seeds Won Their Section Today
#1 St Thomas
#2 Breck
#3 Hermantown
#4 Virginia
[5] Little Falls
[6] Crookston
[7] New Ulm
[8] Rochester Lourdes
1. St Thomas Academy (4-3)
Not the greatest showing at the Gold Division of Schwan’s Cup, but a win over WBL and playing two quality AA opponents well keeps them up here. The Cadets have two good Class A opponents this week.
This week: Thurs vs South St Paul, Sat vs Mahtomedi
2. Breck (5-3)
While they didn’t win, Breck had a pretty decent showing against top Class AA competition in the Gold Division of Schwan’s Cup. A loss to WBL that St Thomas beat brings them down. This Tuesday the Mustangs will get to continue their Class A dominance.
This week: Tues @ St Paul Saints
3. Blake (7-1-1)
I was tempted to put Hermantown in this spot, but Blake’s 4 goal win of the team Hermantown tied keeps them up here. They will have played 1 game less than half their schedule after this week with two conference games and a game against one of the last three undefeated teams in MN.
This week: Tues @ St Paul Johnson, Fri @ Totino-Grace, Sat vs Minnehaha Academy
4. Hermantown (9-0-1)
The Hawks didn’t win their 3 games, but they didn’t lose any either and all 3 were against quality opponents. Hermantown has one of the state’s most difficult Class A schedules year in and year out. Without a slip by Breck or St Thomas, they won’t claim any higher, though, as they don’t play either of the Class’ top two teams this season.
This week: Tues vs Duluth Marshall, Sat vs International Falls
5. Hibbing/Chisholm (9-3-1)
While I will admit that based on head to head games each of Virginia and Little Falls would move up and Hibbing would be below them, the body of the work of all three is in this order in my opinion. Hibbing crushed a good Mahtomedi team and beat Spring Lake Park. They should have two good tests this week in their trip south.
This week: Fri @ Rochester Mayo, Sat @ Albert Lea
6. Virginia/MI-B (8-4)
The recent loss to Mahtomedi looks to be more a statement for the Zephyrs than the Blue Devils. We’ll see how they rebound this week against a good Cloquet team and the same teams Hibbing is playing Friday and Saturday.
This week: Tues @ Cloquet, Fri @ Albert Lea, Sat @ Rochester Mayo
7. Little Falls (9-1-2)
With Lourdes finally losing, and probably more to come, Little Falls should get the #4 seed if they make it to state. Good luck to the Flyers the rest of the way; there are plenty of 6A schools looking to knock them off.
This week: Tues vs St Cloud Apollo
8. Duluth Marshall (7-4-1)
Losing to Superior? C’mon Hilltoppers…well at least you beat Madison Edgewood. Seeing them win all their games this week would be a great sign, or at least two. The only Class A team they’ve lost to is St Thomas, but their wins have not proven much yet.
This week: Tues @ Hermantown, Fri @ Grand Rapids, Sat vs Rochester Lourdes
9. Proctor (8-2)
Too high? The Rails have beaten every Class A team they have played, including International Fails by 7 and recently Delano in OT. They will be tested this week, so we will have to see how this week turns out.
This week: Tues vs Superior, Thurs vs Duluth Central, Sat @ Ashland
10. Delano (7-2-1)
Playing Proctor this week will be a good test for both teams. Both teams have proven little but don’t have much against them on their schedule yet.
This week: Tues @ Waconia, Fri @ St Cloud Cathedral
11. Totino-Grace (7-0)
Totino-Grace was idle this week due to no holiday tournament and weather canceling their game in East Grand Forks. Their win over TRF keeps them this high with no real quality wins on their schedule. They should be tested this week; of their remaining 18 games, I count 4 that are not against quality opponents. This season the Eagles have the opportunity to prove there are the top Class A team in state or that their record is a reflection of the quality of opponents they’ve played.
This week: Wed @ Mahtomedi, Fri vs Blake, Sat vs Irondale
12. Crookston (6-5-1)
This is hard for me to do, but they went into WI and beat a Superior team that many are having trouble doing in MN. Their only losses in Class A thus far are to my #4 and #8. Good luck to the Pirates as they continue to make some change in 8A.
This week: Thurs vs Roseau
13. East Grand Forks (6-4)
The Green Wave lost to Hermantown by less than the Pirates did, but the head to head loss puts them here. If Warroad and TRF don’t have anything to say about it, these two top 15 teams could be in the section 8A final. They will be challenged this Tuesday; it will be a great test for them.
This week: Tues @ Moorhead, Thurs @ Grand Forks Red River
14. South St. Paul (7-2)
Their win over Tartan keeps the Packers above Mahtomedi. They have proven little this season, but have only lost to AA teams. They play the top two CSC teams this week. Not losing both games this week will help a lot.
This week: Thurs @ St Thomas Academy, Sat @ Hill Murray
15. Mahtomedi (3-7-1)
The Zephyrs’ record is not a reflection of their play. Of their 7 losses, 4 are to Class A teams in my top 8, two possible top 5 Class AA teams and a quality Tartan team. This will possibly be one of the most battle tested teams and regardless of their record be very prepared for sectional play. Two time defending section champion, they play two quality section opponents this week. I wouldn’t be surprised to see three wins this week.
This week: Wed vs Totino-Grace, Thurs @ Henry Sibley, Sat @ St Thomas Academy
16. Warroad (7-4)
The closeness of the 8A schools this year is probably exciting for the northland and will definitely make for a quality section tournament. There isn’t much of an opportunity to improve section standing this week, but they play two teams away this week in St Cloud who can both play with anyone.
This week: Fri @ St Cloud Tech, Sat @ St Cloud Cathedral
17. Thief River Falls (6-4-1)
A tie with Hermantown this week shows they can play with anyone, but their losses keep them toward the bottom of the top 20. Having a common opponent this week with EGF will help ranking these two next week with them not having played yet.
This week: Tues vs Kittson Central, Thurs vs Moorhead
18. Chisago Lakes Area (8-1)
Their 3 wins over WI teams don’t give much indication to their true ability, but one loss on their schedule and beating Coon Rapids show they can play. Their only quality opponents this season look to be Totino-Grace and Benilde, which will make assessing their ability tough as the season goes on.
This week: Tues vs Spring Lake Park, Sat vs Benilde
19. New Ulm (7-1-2)
Delano crushing them in New Ulm doesn’t help their case, but that being their only loss and beating the supposedly best team in WI is definitely helpful. Playing Litchfield this week will get their section a great feel for seeding the top two teams.
This week: Tues @ Dodge Country, Thurs vs Litchfield
20. Rochester Lourdes (11-1)
Losing to a team New Ulm beat? Supposedly the #1 team in WI, but New Ulm beat them and you didn’t? I wasn’t really impressed, only had the high because they hadn’t lost. Period. They did beat a Superior team that others have had trouble with, but have yet to play a team in the top 20 in Class A and are having more GA than a top team would. I have no doubt they’ll make it to state, but unless they upset someone before then, they will possibly fall further on my list.
This week: Tues @ Albert Lea, Sat @ Duluth Marshall
Watch List
Duluth Central (6-6)
This week: Mon @ Duluth East, Thurs @ Proctor
Fergus Falls (5-2-2)
This week: Tues @ Wadena-Deer Creek, Fri @ Wilmar
Detroit Lakes (7-3)
This week: Thurs vs Wadena-Deer Creek, Sat vs Wilmar
Sartell-St. Stephen (6-4)
This week: Thurs vs Alexandria, Sat vs Rogers
St. Cloud Cathedral (5-3)
This week: Tues vs Holy Family Catholic, Fri vs Delano, Sat vs Warroad
Orono (6-4)
This week: Tues vs Hutchinson, Thurs @ Hopkins
Mound-Westonka (5-3-2)
This week: Tues vs Litchfield, Fri @ Holy Family Catholic
Litchfield (6-0-1)
This week: Tues @ Mound-Westonka, Thurs @ New Ulm, Sat vs Hutchinson
Providence Academy (8-3)
This week: Thurs @ St Paul Academy, Sat vs St Paul Saints
Albert Lea (8-2)
This week: Tues vs Rochester Lourdes, Fri vs Virginia, Sat vs Hibbing
Eveleth-Gilbert (7-3)
This week: Thurs @ International Falls, Sat vs Silver Bay
Section Standings if the season ended today
1A
#20 Rochester Lourdes (11-1)
Albert Lea (8-2)
New Prague (3-6-1)
Mankato West (7-3-1)
I’m not convinced the section games against Lourdes will be very competitive but I’m told every week to not count anyone out. So I’m not. All of these top 4 play each other this season, so we should see this unwind in the coming weeks.
2A
#2 Breck (5-3)
#3 Blake (7-1-1)
#10 Delano (7-3)
Providence Academy (8-3)
Holy Family Catholic (4-5)
This is probably the deepest section in both classes. There are 9 teams that will make most of the quarterfinal games competitive. It is a toss-up of HF or PA making it to the semi’s, with probably a Breck/Blake final. I hope this game is televised. The winner will likely be the #1 or #2 seed at state, depending on how the Breck/St Thomas game goes.
3A
#19 New Ulm (7-1-2)
Hutchinson (2-5)
Litchfield (6-0-1)
New Ulm beat Hutch by a score of 1-0. Litch will be playing both Hutch and New Ulm twice this season. Both they and New Ulm control their destiny in section seeding. The #1 seed has a huge advantage in only having to play one tough game to get to state.
4A
#1 St Thomas (4-3)
#15 Mahtomedi (3-7-1)
#14 South St Paul (7-2)
#11 Totino-Grace (7-0)
#18 Chisago Lakes Area (8-1)
Mahtomedi is the two-time defending champion of this section and has yet to be defeated by a section foe. St Thomas plays both South St Paul and Mahtomedi this week as well as Mahtomedi playing Totino-Grace, so more than a simply objective ranking will be able to be made next week. If the Packers still had Wilcox, they’d probably be the favorite to win this section, but at the moment I suspect the final will be Cadets v. Zephyrs.
5A
#4 Hermantown (9-0-1)
#9 Proctor (8-2)
Rogers (3-5-1)
Sauk Rapids-Rice (3-6)
St Cloud Cathedral (5-3)
Hermantown looks to be the only legitimate team to put your money on for making it to the X. Proctor will play all of these teams aside from Cathedral by the end of the season. Rogers beat both of Cathedral and Sauk Rapids by a score of 2-1, Sauk Rapids in OT and Cathedral in Regulation, but got shut out by Hermantown.
6A
#7 Little Falls (9-1-2)
Sartell-St Stephen (6-4)
Fergus Falls (5-2-2)
Alexandria (4-6)
Detroit Lakes (7-3)
Northern Lakes (4-5)
How’d I do Central Lakes followers? Most of the conference play has yet to begin outside of games being played against Little Falls. I only used section games between these 6 teams to put this list together and I believe I got all the records correct.
7A
#6 Virginia (8-4)
#5 Hibbing (9-3-1)
#8 Duluth Marshall (7-4-1)
Duluth Central (6-6)
International Falls (2-7-1)
Eveleth-Gilbert (7-3)
Without head to head match ups in the top 4 aside from Hibbing/Marshall, knowing exactly what will happen is difficult. I used all the common opponents, Little Falls, International Falls, Mahtomedi, Spring Lake Park and Lakeville North, to compare Hibbing and Virginia overall.
8A
#12 Crookston (6-5-1)
#13 East Grand Forks (6-4)
#16 Warroad (7-4)
#17 Thief River Falls (6-4-1)
Lake of the Woods (4-4-1)
This list is very incomplete as there are only a handful of head to head games, which is all I’ve used to put them in order. Luckily, though, there are few enough that they line up for the most part. I put TRF over LOW based on record.
State Seeding if Section Top Seeds Won Their Section Today
#1 St Thomas
#2 Breck
#3 Hermantown
#4 Virginia
[5] Little Falls
[6] Crookston
[7] New Ulm
[8] Rochester Lourdes