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North Dakota
Class AAA
What a week of games in AAA. Century pulled the knot tight as they roped Mandan and Bismarck in for a three-way tie and share of the West region lead by beating Mandan 27-12. Next week’s final games will decide who gets the number one seed but in reality these three top teams are all so close that seeding doesn’t matter too much. Devils Lake continues to impress with another close win, this time over West Fargo. And watch out for Fargo South, they’ve reeled off four straight wins after their 0-4 start.

1. Bismarck (7-1)
2. Century (7-1)
3. Mandan (7-1)
4. Minot (5-3)
5. Devils Lake (5-3)

Class AA
I should have known better than to pick against Fargo Shanley, in each game I’ve picked against them they’ve won (Kindred and Lisbon), in each game I’ve picked them they’ve lost (Fargo North, Valley City). So the next time you see me picking a Shanley game go the other direction. Grafton continues their grip on the number one seed in the east as they shutout Kindred 44-0.

1. Grafton (8-0)
2. Bottineau (7-1)
3. Fargo Shanley (5-3)
4. Wahpeton (6-2)
5. Minot Ryan (6-2)

Class A
The playoff picture is set and all four number one seeds are in my final power rankings. Of the number two seeds Heart River has the best team in my opinion, but Heart River is due to travel to Stanley-Powers Lake in round two if the higher seeds prevail. There are a lot of interesting matchups in Class A but I believe Harvey/Well County has the best shot at making it to the championship game.

1. Harvey/Wells County (8-0)
2. Hazen (8-0)
3. Stanley-Powers Lake (8-0)
4. Heart River (7-1)
5. Linton (7-1)

9-man
In 9man the playoff picture is set. Last week three potential number one seeds got knocked off. Wyndmere-Lidgerwood, North Star and Central McLean all suffered their first loss. I guess it’s better to get those losses out of the way now and focus on the upcoming playoffs. Mohall/Lansford Sherwood makes their first appearance back in the rankings since losing in week two to North Star, since then they’ve won seven straight games. I’ve been so impressed with Divide County over the last month that I vaulted them up to number one. Their closest game of the year was a 22 point win over Mott-Regent last week.

1. Divide County (9-0)
2. Cavalier (9-0)
3. Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter (8-1)
4. Wyndmere/Lidgerwood (8-1)
5. Mohall/Lansford/Sherwood (8-1)

South Dakota
Class 11AA
After eight weeks of watching the top teams in 11AA I’m still confused as to who belongs in the top five. But there’s one thing I’m sure of and that is that Roosevelt and O’Gorman are the two best teams. Roosevelt plays Washington this week to see if I’m right about that and O’Gorman plays Lincoln. I suspect that Roosie and O’G will win and establish the fact that they’re the best in the class but I’ve been surprised a lot this year. Yankton clinched at least a share of the ESD crown by beating Mitchell last week in a back and forth game. Brandon Valley and Mitchell are playing at the same level and Washington, Lincoln, and Yankton right now and any of those teams could beat any on a given night.

1. Sioux Falls Roosevelt (8-0)
2. Sioux Falls O’Gorman (7-1)
3. Sioux Falls Washington (6-2)
4. Sioux Falls Lincoln (6-2)
5. Yankton (6-2)

Class 11A
The only unbeaten team in this class is Todd County. They have completed a perfect regular season by beating Little Wound last week putting up 50+ points for the third time this year. But Todd County is not the best team. It’s clear to me that Dell Rapids and West Central are the two best teams and I hope the power points don’t pit them against each other before they get to the Dakota Dome. Tea and Spearfish are just outside my top five and could be contenders if they get the right matchups in the playoffs.

1. Dell Rapids (6-1)
2. West Central (7-1)
3. Dakota Valley (5-2)
4. Sisseton (4-3)
5. Todd County (8-0)

Class 11B
Last week’s performance by Tri-Valley finally convinced me to put them at number one by themselves. A combination of the way they controlled the game against Dakota Valley and the fact that the Winner defense gave up 17 points to Wagner makes me believe that Tri-Valley is a half step better than Winner.  Don’t be surprised if a team like McCook Central/Montrose comes out of the pack during the playoffs to make a deep playoff run just like Flandreau did last year.

1. Tri-Valley (7-0)
2. Winner (8-0)
3. Flandreau (6-1)
4. Groton Area (7-0)
5. St. Thomas More (6-1)

Class 9AA

Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan’s schedule has prepared them for a tough post season. Last week they beat Chester 58-20 and next week they play one of the best teams in 9-man, Corsica/Stickney next Thursday. Three of last week’s top five teams lost and 9AA continues to be a mystery as to who will challenge the Seahawks.

1. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (6-1)
2. Kimball/White Lake (6-2)
3. Miller (5-2)
4. Leola/Frederick (6-1)
5. Andes Central (5-2)

Class 9A
There are still five undefeated teams in 9A but some of the best teams in this class have been beaten. Corsica/Stickney is playing as well as anyone right now and Hanson pulled off an overtime win to prove that they’re one of the best in class. Irene-Wakonda plays Viborg/Hurley to try for an unbeaten regular season. This will be their first big test of the year.

1. Canistota (7-0)
2. Wall (7-0)
3. Hanson (5-3)
4. Corsica/Stickney (6-1)
5. Colman-Egan (7-0)

Class 9B
The Coyotes of WSS have risen to the top of this class with a high-powered attack of Zemlickas and other playmakers like Sam Pond. They’ve now put over 40 points up in every game this year and over 60 points for four games in a row. And their defense has been tight too. The only game they gave up more than 20 was against Clark/Willow Lake and they gave those up in the first half.

1. Waverly-South Shore (7-0)
2. Avon (7-1)
3. Viborg-Hurley (5-2)
4. Harding County (6-1)
5. Sully Buttes (6-1)