The Minnesota high school football season kicks off Thursday and Friday across the metro. Here’s a look at the Metro South subdistrict, with more team-by-team previews to come throughout the week.
Eagan
2024 record: 6-4 (lost in second round of Class 6A playoffs)
Returning starters: 6 on offense, 2 on defense
Impact returnees: Defensive back Grady Recer is a Minnesota-Duluth commit who had four interceptions last season, and will play some in the offensive backfield, as well. Gage Halvorson averaged nearly 10 yards per carry as a sophomore, and reportedly keeps getting faster.
Shoutout to a lineman: Peyton Grandbois and Marshall Bierly form a tandem of two-year starters up front. Coach Nick Johnson said “they are both bulldogs and love the grind of run blocking. They are machines!”
Schedule: vs. Shakopee, at Prior Lake, vs. Eastview, at Lakeville North, at Lakeville South, vs. Farmington, vs. Rosemount, at Rogers
The skinny: Eagan did graduate a bevy of athletes from last year’s breakthrough team and will trot out a heavy dose of juniors this fall. But the Wildcats return four offensive linemen from 2024 – Grandvois, Bierly, Roman Stok and Joe Noreen – and Johnson is excited for the progress to come as the fall progresses.
“The kids we have love to work,” he said.
Farmington
2024 record: 5-4 (lost in first round of Class 6A playoffs)
Returning starters: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
Impact returnees: After leading the team in tackles in 2024 at inside linebacker, Chris Rehak is expected to get a heavy load at running back this fall. Linebacker Max Blandin is a versatile field patrol who defends the run and pass well.
Shoutout to a lineman: Tigers coach Jon Pieper calls returning junior offensive tackle Rocco Fulk “nasty and aggressive.”
Schedule: vs. Eastview, at Lakeville North, at White Bear Lake, vs. Lakeville South, vs. Rosemount, at Eagan, vs. Shakopee, at Prior Lake
The skinny: The Tigers defense figures to be stout, with Division-2 prospects littered across the field in defensive backs Daniel Sather and Logan Petsinger, defensive end Hank VonBank and Blandin at linebacker.
Since graduated dual-threat quarterback Jonah Ask carried the offense last year, but Cade Boyles will take the snaps this fall and guide an offense that could feature a strong rushing attack.
Lakeville North
2024 record: 9-2 (lost in Class 6A state quarterfinals)
Returning starters: 6 on offense, 6 on defense
Impact returnees: Defensive lineman Roman Johnson and offensive lineman Carter Crawford, a four-year starter, are both Minnesota-Duluth commits.
Shoutout to a lineman: Riley Forar is a defensive lineman who Panters coach Brian Vossen noted is “built like a strong safety.” Added Vossen: “He is fast, tough and relentless to the ball. He is really difficult to block and he pursues like a madman.”
Schedule: at Blaine, vs. Farmington, at Lakeville South, vs. Eagan, vs. Prior Lake, at Rosemount, vs. Champlin Park, at Shakopee
The skinny: Vossen said this year’s group has frequently been overshadowed by the classes above it, but said this crew of players is “humble and they are tight as a unit. They are hungry and they want to be great.”
Lakeville North was riddled with injuries last fall, but receiver Pierce Buckley and tight end Blake Hendrickson are back in action. The Panthers return three offensive linemen from a year ago, and look for Pete Krolak to be a playmaker in the secondary.
Lakeville South
2024 record: 6-4 (lost in second round of Class 6A playoffs)
Returning starters: 6 on offense, 4 on defense
Impact returnees: Tight end Henry Hauge is an Air Force commit who’s critical to the Cougars rushing attack, and also a pass catching option. Josh Bergan and Kaleb Williams are impact defensive linemen who will be back up front.
Shoutout to a lineman: Cougars coach Ben Burk called offensive lineman Asher Collins “fast, physical and fearless.”
Schedule: vs. Mounds View, at Shakopee, vs. Lakeville North, at Farmington, vs. Eagan, at Edina, vs. Prior Lake, at Rosemount
The skinny: Lakeville South will again deploy a number of running backs behind their strong blocking scheme. Nick Swanson will see an increased carry load, but also look out for Griffen Dean.
Hauge and Collins key much of the run blocking, but junior Joseph Hamer is a 6-foot-7, 345-pound tackle already armed with high-major Division-I offers.
Lakeville South’s defensive front is equally scary with Bergan, Williams, Jaymel Kalimu and Oscar Anaya.
Prior Lake
2024 record: 5-5 (lost in second round of Class 6A playoffs
Returning starters: Not known
Impact returnees: Receiver Aiden Mbinda was the team’s leading receiver in 2024. Linebacker Dylan Hawley led the team in tackles last year, with 86.
Shoutout to a lineman: Iowa State commit Ethan Beckman is one of the top offensive linemen in the state.
Schedule: at Forest Lake, vs. Eagan, at Rosemount, vs. Minnetonka, at Lakeville North, vs. Shakopee, at Lakeville South, vs. Farmington
The skinny: Prior Lake has to replace its offensive backfield, but there’s enough returning talent up front and defensively to surmise the Lakers will again be a tough out.
Rosemount
2024 record: 1-8 (lost in first round of Class 6A playoffs)
Returning starters: 5 on offense, 5 on defense.
Impact returnees: Linebacker Max Jones is a captain who led the Irish in tackles in 2024. Running back Jakai Hollie was Rosemount’s leading rusher last fall.
Shoutout to a lineman: Brady Struble is a three-year starter who’s played a different position each season – at center as a sophomore, at tackle as a junior and now at guard as a senior.
Schedule: vs. Centennial, at Eastview, vs. Prior Lake, at Shakopee, at Farmington, vs. Lakeville North, at Eagan, vs. Lakeville South
The skinny: Rosemount may have been the best one-win team in recent history last fall, with nearly all of their losses coming in competitive fashion.
They return experienced players at all levels of the offense and defense, with receiver Mayon Dixon and running back Savion Severson expected to deliver big production this fall.
The Irish are also boosted by Bennett Simmering, a talented kicker and punter.
Irish coach Jeff Erdmann said this year’s team has exuded a “great vibe and consistent work ethic.”
Shakopee
2024 record: 10-2 (lost in Class 6A state semifinals)
Returning starters: 2 on offense, 4 on defense
Impact returnees: Junior safety Blake Betton is one of the top recruits in the state, with offers from the likes of Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan. Judah Forsberg ran for north of 500 yards last season while also handling quarterback duties.
Shoutout to a lineman: Defensive lineman Nehemiah Ombati has offers from South Dakota State and North Dakota.
Schedule: at Eagan, vs. Lakeville South, at Stillwater, vs. Rosemount, vs. Osseo, at Prior Lake, at Farmington, vs. Lakeville North
The skinny: Shakopee has a number of fresh faces after graduating a large chunk from last year’s title contender, but the Sabers are restocked with athletes and gamebreakers. Running backs Joseph Taye, Carson Turner and Chris Peris and receiver Quinn Schriever all have explosive possibilities, while Ombati and linebacker Blake Loughlin are poised for potential breakouts. Loughlin will be aided by returning linebackers such as Andrew McGee and Mike Doering.
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