The Minnesota high school football season kicks off Thursday and Friday across the metro. Here’s a a selection of teams in the eastern metro, with more team-by-team previews to come throughout the week.
Centennial
2024 record: 4-5 (lost in first round of Class 6A playoffs)
Returning starters: 5 on offense, 3 on defense
Impact returnees: Justin Driver is a ball-hawking safety, while quarterback Isaac Belinski Strauss and running back Celeb Melser can engineer Centennial’s traditional rushing attack.
Shoutout to a lineman: Defensive tackle Josh O’Shea is a three-year starter and an all-district performer who forced three fumbles last year and could be one of the Cougars’ best defensive lineman ever.
Schedule: at Rosemount, at Osseo, at Champlin Park, vs. Andover, at Rogers, vs. Roseville, at Blaine, vs. Anoka
The skinny: Centennial features plenty of fresh faces this fall. But coach Mike Diggins noted the Cougars have improved team speed and likes how hard the group works. It’s possible Centennial could start slow, but it’s a program that’s always better by season’s end.
If Belinski Strauss and Melser can find success behind linemen such as Samuel Bianconi and Tyler Cook, the Cougars could be dangerous.
Eastview
2024 record: 2-7 (lost in first round of Class 6A playoffs)
Returning starters: 8 on offense, 4 on defense
Impact returnees: Junior corner Trey Sanders is one of the top defensive backs in the metro, while Harrison Weldon and Matty McGrath figure to post some gaudy receiving numbers.
Shoutout to a lineman: Center Aiden Petter is the leader of the Lightning. Eastview coach Wade Buckley said Petter was “instrumental in leading our off season lifting, and brings the energy every practice. Very cool to have an O lineman be our energy leader.”
Schedule: at Farmington, vs. Rosemount, at Eagan, vs. Roseville, vs. Coon Rapids, at Hopkins, vs. Eden Prairie, at Park.
The skinny: Eastview returns all of its skill position players, including quarterback QB Quinn Curry. JC Green, who also received quarterback snaps last year, is expected to have a big year at corner.
Blocking to set the table for those skill position players are not only returnees such as Petter and Kaden McCauley, but also look out for sophomore tackle Owen Bauer. The 6-foot-8 standout figures to help power Eastview’s running game, which should benefit the likes of Drew Bartosh, who aims to bounce back from a torn ACL suffered last season. Kicker Rylan Helvie is also a weapon with a big leg.
Buckley said his players haven’t missed an optional activity. That work ethic combined with the returning talent could make Eastview a threat even to the more traditional powers in subdistrict crossovers.
Park
2024 record: 2-7 (lost in first round of Class 6A playoffs)
Returning starters: 3 on offense, 9 on defense
Impact returnees: Matthew Kamande is a three-year starter dynamic enough to play multiple skill positions, while Keon Moody has produced at both linebacker and running back.
Shoutout to a lineman: Kellen Simmons is a junior who plays both ways and has a high ceiling.
Schedule: at White Bear Lake, vs. Stillwater, at Forest Lake, at Hopkins, vs. Wayzata, vs. Coon Rapids, at Roseville, vs. Eastview
The skinny: Still known for their work as pioneers by wearing guardian caps at every grade level, including in games, Park also sports a lot of fresh talent on this year’s team.
The Wolfpack are excited about potential contributions from receiver Kalab Miftah, safety Nolan Sease and running back Kody Alkens. And don’t sleep on the addition of new defensive coordinator Rob McCarthy, who has a lengthy collegiate coaching resume that includes head coach and defensive coordinator stints.
Roseville
2024 record: 3-6 (lost in first round of Class 6A playoffs)
Returning starters: 7 total
Impact returnees: Cortez Berry and Cohen Stephenson are third-year starters on the defensive line who will key that unit’s success.
Shoutout to a lineman: Center Axel Stephens is “Mr. Do Everything” for the Raiders. And his improvement since last fall is palpable.
Schedule: vs. Woodbury, at Mounds View, vs. East Ridge, at Eastview, vs. Hopkins, at Centennial, vs. Park, at Coon Rapids
The skinny: Defense will again be what Roseville hangs its hat on. Along with Berry and Stephenson, Will VanVorst will patrol from the safety spot, while Amos Hanson, Aiden Venne and Cam Finney are part of a strong linebacking core.
Excitement is building for junior Chase Browning at quarterback after he put forth a strong offseason. The Raiders have rebuilt their program on the work, and coach Andy Stephenson doesn’t believe any group has exemplified that more than this one.
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