Class AAA, AA playoff picture taking shape

BISMARCK – The Class AAA and AA regular season wraps up this week and there is still the potential for some moving and shaking going in the playoff seeding. Six WDA teams have locked up postseason spots. In AAA, Minot High, Bismarck High, Mandan and Bismarck Century will participate in the postseason. Minot High is in line to host one, possibly two playoff games. Bismarck High also is in good shape to host a quarterfinal game. The Demons are currently in fourth in the QRF (Quality Results Formula) rankings. QRF is the rating system used by the NDHSAA to determine playoff seeding. Mandan is in the No 6 spot with Bismarck Century at No. 7. Both teams have key games this week against teams above them the rankings. Mandan plays WF Sheyenne (3rd); while Century faces rival Bismarck High (4th). Fargo Shanley is atop the rankings while Fargo Davies is fifth and West Fargo is eighth. In AA, Fargo North has locked up the top spot. The Spartans close out the season by hosting defending champion Jamestown. The Blue Jays dropped from third to fifth in the QRF following its home loss to WF Horace last week. Jamestown could improve its positioning with a win over the aforementioned Spartans. Dickinson, meanwhile, is currently in second and has locked up at least one home playoff game. The Midgets travel to G.F. Red River to close out the regular season. Red River sits fourth in the rankings. Dickinson could secure its No. 2 spot with a victory. Fargo South presently is in third with WF Horace in sixth; G.F. Central, seventh; and Valley City, eighth. The quarterfinals begin on Friday, Oct. 27 for both AAA and AA classifications.

Photo: Jon Jablonski