Minneapolis North is off to its best start since 2022, when it finished 9-1. The Polars are tied for No. 5 in Class 3A with Holy Family.

Three of the top 10 teams lost Friday night, but two fell to other top-10 teams, and all lost to ranked teams.

Strib Varsity’s Jim Paulsen didn’t see anything to change his mind in a big way, and he doesn’t see much that separates the first four teams.

Two of the top 10 teams, Wayzata and Mankato West, endured upset losses.

Strib Varsity reporters were at Maple Grove-Stillwater, East Ridge-Minnetonka and Rocori-Totino-Grace.

New head coach Greg Enz puts emphasis on the pass, and that’s no problem for quarterback Max Fredin and receiver Caleb Maddox.

Streaming on Strib Varsity on Thursday and Friday are five games worth a watch.

Jim Paulsen and Marcus Fuller tackle four games and reveal their reasoning.

QBs are in the middle of matters for the top two in Jim Paulsen’s preseason ranking of the best teams in the state regardless of class.

Strib Varsity football writer Jim Paulsen started with quarterbacks, because it’s football, but his list hits every position and shows every college commitment.