Quarterly Check In & Boys Power Rankings
I haven’t been able to write as much as I had hoped so far this season. It’s a bummer because there have been some absolute fireworks in HS lacrosse this season even through just 3 weeks. It has been a really fun season and I think the parity across the state is strengthening.
Since the addition of the DTA weekly media poll, I haven’t done power rankings yet this year. The poll is a vote amongst a group of people so, while I do get a vote, I am only one small fraction of the overall final poll each week. Power Rankings are more of my opinion and meant to separate teams into tiers vs rank them 1 by 1. We are usually splitting hairs between a lot of teams and this year, anyone can beat anyone depending on the night. The idea of the power ranking is to show that there are groups of teams that probably are similar and could leapfrog eachother depending on the day, with a little bit of satire thrown in.
So, Here you go:
Juggernauts:
Jefferson: Having an amazing season and has been dominant for much of the way. Beat #1 BSM last week and the only team who’s been even close to competitive with them. This is a group that plays a winning brand of team lacrosse that is built around their stud goalie and many players accepting their role. Athletic and high lacrosse IQ. Will be a tough team to beat the rest of the way
Benilde - St. Margaret’s: despite the loss, still probably the most loaded roster of pure talent top to bottom. Jefferson is a really good team and got the best of them, but they followed it up crushing #2 ranked Edina the next day. Still probably the odds on favorite to win it all
2014 Oregon Ducks chip kelly spread offense
Stillwater: Just a team out there playin’ lax and loving it. Probably a juggernaut but plays a much different style. You think you maybe are running with the Ponies and all of the sudden the rattle off 6 goals on you. They love to shoot. They love to score. They bring the speed/energy/swag to the field. There is some high end offensive talent on this team and they will play with tempo the whole game. Teams have held them in check at times, but not for 48 full minutes. Better bring the energy when playing the ponies
Cardiac Cats:
Eagan: This is the surprise team for me this year. I knew they would be good - they always are. But, after losing some big names on offense I thought maybe it would be step back. Boy, was I wrong. Eagan never left us. “Fun and Gun” never left us. Cardiac Cats never left us. They love winning games with less than 5 seconds left. The fact that they don’t charge for their games and have an elite stream just make it even better. This is FREE entertainment for the whole family
Contenders:
Edina: Winning games, only loss to BSM and played a strong schedule thus far. The BSM loss was a frustrating one, I’m sure, but the Hornets have a very good team top to bottom. The lake conference will not be easy and they will be tested the rest of the way
Prior Lake: Another year where they haven’t played many games yet. I think some people forgot they even exist. They have handled business thus far, but, have some big matchups this week to find out where they really are at
Lakeville North: Still some high end talent for the defending state champs, but, have looked a bit more mortal this year. When they are healthy they are as good as any, but, I think still figuring out how to fill some new roles. Either way, when you have the firepower they have on offense and the ability to win face-offs at a near 90% clip, they will never be out of a game
Dark Horses:
East Ridge: Been taking care of business. Beat cross town rival Woodbury in a huge win and ran with the Ponies for some of the game. They have the talent to be dangerous and win their section - still a fairly young team
Chanhassen: Probably not the same firepower they had in year’s past, but, ran with Stillwater for 3 quarters. Have taken care of business otherwise. Not ready to count them out quite yet. Their identity just might look a little different this year
Farmington: A new chapter of young players for the Tigers. Have been able to handle business thus far on a weaker schedule. Huge win against a strong eagan team and more SSC Games around the corner will continue to test them
Maple Grove: Not quite the same team from a year ago, but, getting secondary scoring and good goaltending which were question marks for me coming into the season. Only losses to Top 5 teams keep them in the conversation for now
White Bear Lake: Outside of the opener, they have looked strong. Big games against Woodbury and Stillwater this week are great tests. The loss of Devin Mueller for the season hurts, but, they seem to have other guys stepping up
Lake Conference Pandemonium: Wayzata, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, STMA, Buffalo, Hopkins/SLP. We knew this conference would be competitive this year, but, there have been some eye popping scores. Everyone is beating everyone. Some lower end teams are running close with higher end teams. This conference is a fun one to watch
Entering the Chat: Rogers, Proctor/Hermantown, Cretin-Derham Hall, New Prague, Andover, Lakeville South. This group of teams has raised some eyebrows so far this year. Programs that are staying competitive with top teams or winning some games they were not favored in (in the general public eye). Keep an eye on this group.
Don’t Sleep quite yet: Woodbury, STA, Mahtomedi, Moorhead, Centennial, Armstrong, The Valley, Rosemount. All of these teams have had some bumps in the road so far in 2024, but… the talent is there. The tradition is there. I would not count any of these programs out.