East Ridge
Returning starters: 7 on offense, 6 on defense
Impact returnees: Quarterback Cedric Tomes is a Gophers basketball commit who’s also the point guard of the Raptors’ offense. Threw for 10 touchdowns and ran for 10 more last fall. Henry Bern is a three-year defensive starter who can play linebacker or on the line and sports an offer from St. Thomas.
Shoutout to a lineman: Hayden Galvan is a returning starter capable of playing all five positions across the offensive line thanks in part to his high football IQ.
Schedule: at Minnetonka, vs. Hopkins, at Roseville, vs. White Bear Lake, vs. Mounds View, at Forest Lake, vs. Stillwater, at Woodbury
The skinny: Raptors coach Dan Fritze raves about the connectivity of his group and the quality of their character. On the field, the team’s versatility shines through, with Ben Knaup oscillating between offensive line, defensive line and … running back, and Jack Wennerberg, Nick Gerhardt and Matthew Brennan among those who can play both ways.
Tight end Andrew Tharaldson and running back Vince Hurley are also among offensive playmakers.
Forest Lake
2024 record: 7-3 (lost in second round of Class 6A playoffs)
Returning starters: 8 on offense, 7 on defense
Impact returnees: Defensive lineman Howie Johnson, a Gophers commit who tallied 32 tackles for loss in 2024, and running back Mack Jurkovich, who ran for 1,165 yards and nine scores as a sophomore.
Shoutout to a lineman: Senior Jack Chelgren is a returner on the offensive front.
Schedule: vs. Prior Lake, at Anoka, vs. Park, vs. Woodbury, at White Bear Lake, vs. East Ridge, at Mounds View, at Stillwater.
The skinny: The Rangers return 100% of their skill player production from last fall, a nearly impossible feat in high school sports. Highlighting that list is quarterback Connor Johnson. Forest Lake’s entire defensive line returns, as do three senior linebackers (Nate Schleif, Cullen Christenson and AJ Degerstrom). Even uber-talented kicker Jayden Onuonga is back.
So much experience to build off last year’s stellar season creates a high bar for this Rangers season.
Said Rangers coach Brad Beeskow: “This is a hungry group that is ready to take the next step.”
Mounds View
2024 record: 8-3 (lost in Class 6A state quarterfinals)
Returning starters: 3 on offense, 3 on defense
Impact returnees: An all-district performer, Godson Rufus-Okomhanru is a special receiver/running back on offense who is also critical to the Mustangs’ defense. One of the premier two-way players in the state.
Shoutout to a lineman: Junior Max Hoerneman.will play both ways and touts a high motor and a relentless work ethic.
Schedule: at Lakeville South, vs. Roseville, at Maple Grove, vs. Stillwater, at East Ridge, at Woodbury, vs. Forest Lake, vs. White Bear Lake.
The skinny: There may be some assumption the Mustangs will take a step back sans do-it-all star quarterback Jacob Sampson. But Beckham Wheeler is next up, and the 6-foot-4 signal caller has a strong frame, can move, had a strong offseason and has taken on a leadership role in the program.
Mounds View graduated 18 seniors from last year’s standout squad. This year’s juniors and seniors went a combined 3-13 on their freshmen teams.
Yet coach Aaron Moberg has a firm belief in this group and its work ethic.
“We will be young, but I believe these guys are on a mission to write their own special story,” Mobert said. “They are a joy to coach and develop.”
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