LB’s Section 1 Team Rankings
January 29th, 2025
I have little to say here. They are the best team in SEMN. All year long, the Guillotine Forum has been filled with 'Is StApLeS BeTtEr ThAn cHaTfIeLd?’ How about we stop asking the question and wait for the answer, you sickos.
Thus far, the story of 2024-2025 has been eerily similar to 2023-2024 for the Cougars. Last season, they were shocking teams by making the final bracket at the Clash. This year, they were shocking the likes of KM and Becker. No doubt there is a ton of focus within the ZM wrestling room right now to make sure that the final chapter of this season ends differently.
I finally had the guts to make a really big move. I can’t wait to hear Kyle tell me why I am wrong and everyone from Kasson-Mantorville should hate me. My eyes are telling me the Albert Lea is peaking at the right time. They wrestled a tough schedule and it was a rollercoaster, but as of late they’ve been checking the boxes and should be the #1 seed in 1AAA as long as they take care of Owatonna tomorrow night
The KoMets started the season as my #1 team before falling to #2, #3, and now finally… #4. To be honest, the results really haven’t fluctuated much in the past month. The Chatfield and ZM losses at the beginning of the season knocked them down a couple pegs, but Albert Lea moving past them is strictly based upon the rise of the Tigers. If you’re a KM fan, here is good news: There is a path when KM ends the season #1 in my power rankings.
Northfield is going to have their hands full chasing down Albert Lea. After Northfield suffered a 12-point loss to Albert Lea, Kyle woke up in a cold sweat screaming, “ THERE’S A PATH!” So don’t give up hope, Northfield. I’ve been impressed with the Raiders as one of the most consistent teams this year, constantly giving great effort. This is a great program that would probably be a state tournament team in several other AAA sections.
The Knights managed to jump Owatonna despite losing a tight battle in Zumbrota earlier this month. KW would not be ranked this high if it wasn’t for the development of their middle and upper weights. Going into the season, it was a mystery who was wrestling 145 to heavyweight. It’s a mystery no more, and these guys can hold their own.
Owatonna has been so steady this year, then the Swalla Duals happened. Ravaged by who knows what (injuries? illness?) Owatonna lost duals to Shakopee, KM, and Caledonia. The Shakopee and KM losses I got, but the scores were very rough. A couple weeks ago, I gave a rant about not overreacting. I probably should’ve listened back to that rant before publishing these power rankings, but hey, sometimes overreacting is fun.
The Panthers have got some help moving up to the #8 spot, but now the ball is 100% in their hands with upcoming matches against PEM, KM, and ZM. It’s GO TIME, BABY! Maybe I’m drinking the Kool-Aid, but I think the #8 spot is NOT the highest PI will reach in my 2024-2025 power rankings… This is me calling my shot.
MAKE GOODHUE GREAT AGAIN. The Cats are back in the Top-10 after knocking off LARP. They also got some assistance from beat-up Rochester Mayo and Plainview-Elgin-Millville. In a sport of attrition, Goodhue seems to have navigated the course of the season while keeping the majority of their lineup intact. They beat LARP, and will soon dual DE. If they can check that box, I’ll be obligated to ask if they can compete with Kenyon-Wanamingo.
Ah, yes. The Bulldogs. They stay in my top-10 after a shocking loss to GMLOS and a narrow 1-point victory against Cannon Falls, but the concern level here has to be on red alert. The good news for PEM is that this can simply be a blip on the radar. They have not lost a Section 1AA dual yet, and can still slay the dragons that are PI and KM. But it will have to be a VERY quick turnaround after their tough weekend.