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.
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.
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.”
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