Stillwater

Returning starters: 5 on offense, 2 on defense

Impact returnees: Running back Emilio Rosario Matias, who ran for 1,207 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall and defensive lineman Khalid Afuye, an Iowa State commit who tallied 61 tackles in 2024.

Shoutout to a lineman: Nolan von Behren is a captain who played nine positions for the Ponies last season, including long snapper.

Schedule: vs. Maple Grove, at Park, vs. Shakopee, at Mounds View, at Woodbury, vs. White Bear Lake, at East Ridge, vs. Forest Lake

The skinny: Nick Kinsey’s family move means Stillwater is transitioning at quarterback a year early. But the Ponies do have another arm ready to roll. Jack Runk played wide receiver as a sophomore, but the all-state shortstop could be the latest special Stillwater signal caller.

The Ponies’ early season schedule does them no favors – Stillwater hosts defending state champion Maple Grove to open the season Thursday and welcomes Shakopee, a state semifinalist from a year ago, in Week 3.

But Stillwater again figures to be a major player in the Metro East when the subdistrict schedule begins, and Ponies coach Beau LaBore called this year’s team a “very team-centered group that loves football.”

White Bear Lake

Returning starters: 4 on offense, 5 on defense

Impact returnees: Senior quarterback Tomi Animasaun enters his third year under center. He threw for nearly 1,500 yards last season. Linebacker Vince Kazmierczak is a big, strong kid who could go both ways for the Bears.

Shoutout to a lineman: Center Josh LaPean lived in the weight room in the offseason, putting on 40 pounds to get himself into a position to play.

Schedule: vs. Park, at Coon Rapids, vs. Farmington, at East Ridge, vs. Forest Lake, at Stillwater, vs. Woodbury, at Mounds View.

The skinny: White Bear Lake is built on team speed, particularly this season. The Bears are flush with athletes, which is evident in the backfields. On defense, the Bears have the likes of ballhawking safety Lincoln Bacha and stout corners Ty Mueller and Braylon Minor.

Offensively, the skill position speed of Easton Miles and junior running back Brian White lll, who ran for 144 yards against Stillwater last year before going down with an injury the following week, should present opposing defenses with problems.

Woodbury

2024 record: 2-7 (lost in first round of Class 6A playoffs)

Returning starters: 7 on offense and 6 on defense

Impact returnees: Junior Nolan Freymiller is a tight end and safety who played H-back last year but will be all over the field this fall. Junior running back Mark Mathis is back healthy and, when that’s the case, he’s extremely explosive.

Shoutout to a lineman: Senior defensive end Ethan Olson is one of Woodbury’s two captains and, as coach Andy Hill put it, “has really embodied everything a high school football program hopes to be.”

Schedule: at Roseville, vs. Moorhead, at Hopkins, at Forest Lake, vs. Stillwater, vs. Mounds View, at White Bear Lake, vs. East Ridge

The skinny: Woodbury was a hyper-young team a year ago and, frankly, that’s still true to some degree this year, as the Royals have a strong core of juniors to complement their current senior class.

In that sense, the Royals are building something. Woodbury coach Andy Hill said the Royals recorded their sheer volume and attendance numbers in their offseason strength program were the best they’ve been in his 15 years at the helm.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”