VALLEY CITY, ND  (NewsDakota.com)  Despite suffering their first loss of the season Friday, the Hi-Liner football team still tops the state’s QRF playoff rating.

With new polls released this past weekend, Valley City’s lead in the poll slipped a bit, but stayed ahead of Grand Forks Red River for the state’s top spot in the 11-A playoffs.  Grand Forks Central, the team that edged the Hi-Liners, remained in the eighth position, but widened their lead over Devils Lake for the final playoff spot.

Fargo South, the next opponent for Valley City, moved to third this week.  Jamestown is fourth, with Fargo North fifth.  Wahpeton and Dickinson round out the current playoff field.

Should the poll remain the same, Valley City would rematch with Central in the opening round of the playoffs, with the games separated by just two weeks.

South travels to Valley City on Friday.  The Bruins are 5-3, but have not lost to a team in the 11-A division.  Their losses have come to Fargo Shanley, Fargo Davies, and Bismarck St. Marys.