PrepRedzoneMN Preseason State Champion Predictions: 9Man-6A
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As the countdown to the 2021 fall Minnesota high school football season grows smaller and smaller I wanted to make sure to take advantage of the amount of film I watched this summer and try a new article idea for…
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Continue ReadingAs the countdown to the 2021 fall Minnesota high school football season grows smaller and smaller I wanted to make sure to take advantage of the amount of film I watched this summer and try a new article idea for our lovely subscribers. In order to properly name our selections to the ’21 MN Preseason All-State teams, I watched film on as many athletes I could access from every single program in the state of Minnesota from 9man up to the big-school 6A squads, and that amount of screen time really gave me an intimate and detailed look at the talent and depth that each team in MN really possesses. I used all of that available information I could find, along with my experience playing in and covering Minnesota high school ball, to make some preseason state championship picks from the 9man division up to 6A and every class in between. Before we begin, however, I wanted to make sure our readers know that this is strictly a fun exercise in guessing who may become a state champion, and it in no way indicates who I am rooting for or any other kind of particular bias. I simply think this is a fun exercise that helps me take advantage of the amount of research and notes I took this past month creating these Preseason All-State teams, so please don’t take this too seriously and know that I am rooting for the health and success of every single Minnesota high school football player and team who steps on the gridiron this fall. Below I have listed my pick of a favorite for each class’s state champion, provided a runner-up pick, and broke down and evaluated the talent each team possesses. I really hope you enjoy it, and thanks for reading!
9Man *2019 state champion = Mountain Lake Area over Hancock 22-14
Favorite: Mountain Iron-Buhl
The 9man program northeast of Hibbing is brimming with talent at the skill positions and has a good mix of offensive and defensive standouts that I think will provide the Rangers with enough experience and playmaking ability to set themselves apart in the big-time games later into the fall. They also have a bit more depth than most of the other 9man programs, and although part of that is simply due to Hudl availability it is still indicative of roster numbers. Mountain Iron-Buhl is led by their 2023 signal-caller Asher Zubich (6’2, 190 lbs.), who was a Preseason All-State Second Team pick by PRzMN, and he will be throwing to fellow Preseason All-State pick Hunter Weigel, who was named to the First Team. On defense, they will have Preseason All-State First Team DB Braden Tiedeman heading their D, and should be expecting a big year from 2022 LB Ryan Drake. I was also a fan of 2023 WR Nikolas Jesch, and am excited to see how the Rangers can put everything together this fall.
Other Potential Champs: Southland & Hancock
Southland: The Rebels have a key ingredient to a deep run at the state championship, and that is a stud QB. In this case, Preseason All-State First Team pick at both QB and DB Harrison Hanna leads a talented 2022 class that will be hungry and experienced when their season begins on Friday. He’s joined by fellow Preseason First Team All-State selections Christian Luthe (OL), Brendan Kennedy (LB), and Second Team awardee Eli Wolff (DB). With that balance of leaders spread throughout both sides of the football, I think a big factor in Southland’s potential state championship will be depth and if some young bucks can step up and have a big season.
Hancock: The defending state runner-ups possess talent at the WR position, as Preseason All-State picks Luke Joos (First Team) and Matt Thompson (Second Team) will be hoping for a pass-heavy attack in 2021 while First Team Preseason FB selection Toby Messner will be happy for some ground and pound rushing attempts in what should be an explosive Owls offense this fall. Matt Thompson is also a First Team Preseason All-State pick on the DL and will be joined by Jackson Koehl (2023-DB) as a First Team defender going into the season. They’ll need their OL to have a big season if they want to take the 9man crown.
Class A *2019 state champion = Blooming Prairie over BOLD 41-15
Favorite: Mayer Lutheran
The Crusaders are absolutely stacked in 2021 and were an easy pick for a preseason prediction for the Class A state championship. They are led by Preseason Player of the Year Teigan Martin Teigan Martin 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Mayer Lutheran | 2022 State MN – who is committed to FBS Liberty University and is a force as a TE/DE – as well as fellow First Team selections Ty Hoese Ty Hoese 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Mayer Lutheran | 2022 State MN (2022-QB), Sam Dennis Sam Dennis 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Mayer Lutheran | 2022 MN (2022-ATH), Elijah Jopp Elijah Jopp WR Mayer Lutheran | 2022 State MN (2022-LB), and Dylan Nelson Dylan Nelson 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Mayer Lutheran | 2022 State MN (2022-DB), as well as Second Team picks Isaac Hahn (2022-DL), and Abram Jopp (2022-DB). With such a talent-heavy senior class led by the most talented player in the class as well as an experienced and athletic QB, I think there are a lot of pieces in place for Mayer Lutheran to get themselves a ring in 2021. They do need to be able to protect the QB and establish the run, but they have some depth and size on their lines and in their younger grades so I am confident that they can get it done. I was also a fan of 2022 LB/TE Tyler Neitzel Tyler Neitzel 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Mayer Lutheran | 2022 MN (6’2, 210), 2022 LB Cole Neitzel, and 2023 lineman Marcus Johnson (6’3, 275 lbs.).
Second Favorite: Lakeview
I had some trouble selecting a second favorite for Class A, as Blooming Prairie and BOLD are both hard to bet against, but ultimately I decided on the Lakers from Cottonwood, Minnesota. With the majority of their talent in the 2023 class, I think they will be poised for a couple deep runs in the next year and have a lot of playmakers on their offense in 2023 Preseason All-State Second Team QB Owen Louwagie Owen Louwagie 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Lakeview | 2023 State MN , Preseason First Team RB Clayton Kosel Clayton Kosel 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Lakeview | 2023 State MN (2023), and stud Preseason First Team wideout Nathan Fenske Nathan Fenske 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Lakeview | 2023 State MN . I also think fellow 2023 WR Greg Schafer is going to have a breakout season this fall, but we’ll need to see some athletes step up on the offensive line and defense for the Lakers to have a shot at a ring this year.
Class AA *2019 state champion = Caledonia over Minneapolis North 26-0
Favorite: Caledonia
Man, I think Class AA may be as up in the air in 2021 as it has been in a long time. With the news that the potential #1 overall recruit in the state Eli King Eli King 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Caledonia | 2022 State MN recently deciding to not play football his senior year, I think the 5x defending state champion Warriors are a lot less top-heavy in talent than usual despite Preseason First Team defensive lineman Logan Banse Logan Banse 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Caledonia | 2022 State MN poised to be one of the best pass-rushers in the state this year. I’m a fan of 2022 RB Thane Meiners Thane Meiners 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Caledonia | 2022 State MN and 2022 LB Blake Morrow, and there is a ton of upcoming talent on the team, but to be perfectly candid I picked Caledonia as the Class AA favorite mostly based on their tradition and coaching staff. If anyone plays together as a team, it’s Caledonia, so I think their coaches can rally the team together and get the most out of their 2021 squad in a way not a lot of other staffs can. I’m still upset we didn’t get our heavyweight matchup between Caledonia and MPLS North last year, but there is a good chance for a rematch this fall and I wouldn’t be surprised one bit to see the Warriors in the state championship yet again this fall. However, I think this is one of the better years for another AA contender to step up and kick the undefeated Warriors off of their throne. Make sure you keep your eyes on AA this year!
Second Favorite: MPLS North
MPLS North: The Polars graduated a ridiculous amount of talent last spring as QB Zach Yeager Zach Yeager 6'2" | QB Minneapolis North | 2021 State MN , RB Terrance Kamara Terrance Kamara 5'9" | RB Minneapolis North | 2021 State MN , DE/TE Davon Townley Davon Townley 6'6" | DL Minneapolis North | 2021 State MN are all playing D1 football this fall while LB Dominic McMillian Dominic McMillian 6'3" | LB Minneapolis North | 2021 MN will shortly join them as he competes for NJCAA competitor Iowa Central this season. However, they are going to be able to bounce back from these graduations better than a lot of other programs would be able to, and they are loaded in the trenches and specifically on offense, setting them up to have one of the most explosive offenses in all of Class AA in 2021. They are led by Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 WR Mario Sanders Mario Sanders 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR MPLS North | 2022 State MN , and have another stud pass-catcher in fellow senior D’Meiko Anderson, who joined Sanders on the Preseason All-State First Team. They also have two Preseason All-State offensive line picks in First Teamer Chester Watley Chester Watley 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL MPLS North | 2022 State MN and Second Teamer Quiyon Jordan Quiyon Jordan 6'1" | 280 lbs | DL MPLS North | 2022 State MN , and also have some size in their younger ranks in 2023 lineman Auvon Sager Auvon Sager 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL MPLS North | 2023 State MN , Jeremiah Sims Jeremiah Sims 6'7" | 295 lbs | DL MPLS North | 2023 State MN (6’5, 230), Dontavius Kanatzer (6’, 285), and 2024 Arzie Yeager. I’m also expecting a big year from 2022 TE Gani Stevens (6’6, 260) who fellow PRzMN scout Nate Wahl checked out live a couple of weeks ago, and if 2023 RB William Smith William Smith 6'2" | 215 lbs | RB MPLS North | 2023 State MN , 2024 DB Zashon Rich Zashon Rich 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB MPLS North | 2024 State MN , and 2024 QB Deshaun Hill can all step up I think the Polars may find themselves as 2021 state champs when it’s all said and done. Additionally, if star hooper Willie Wilson is playing WR for North this fall there isn’t an offense in three classes with as much offensive talent.
Class AAA *2019 state champion = Pierz over Dassel-Cokato 28-27
Favorite: Fairmont
The Cardinals, much like the Mayer Luthern Crusaders in Class A, were a pretty easy pick for the Preseason Class AAA state champion prediction as their roster is overflowing with talent at just about every position on the football field, with scholarship level talent in their senior class and a ton of young bucks with potential, size, and aggression. They are led by the do-it-all defender and track star Hudson Artz Hudson Artz 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Fairmont | 2022 State MN , who is committed to North Dakota State and was named our PrepRedzoneMN Class AAA Preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year. With good speed for his size and loose hips, he can make an impact at every level on defense and will be all over the field in 2021. Artz is joined by fellow Preseason All-State First Team selections Zach Jorgensen Zach Jorgensen 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Fairmont | 2022 State MN (2022-QB), Eli Anderson Eli Anderson 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB Fairmont | 2022 State MN (2022-WR), Tyson Kube (2022-FB), Noah Rahm (2022-OL), and Jake Harris (2022-DB), as well as Second Team members Gavin Rodning Gavin Rodning 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Fairmont | 2022 State MN (2022-LB), and Brock Lutterman Brock Lutterman 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Fairmont | 2023 MN (2023-DB). I’m also a fan of 2023 OL Sawyer Tordsen and 2025 DE Hank Artz – the latter of which will be one of the best players in the state in his graduating class by the time it’s all said and done. I think that this is just too much talent overall for anyone in Class AAA to overcome.
Other Potential Champs: Glencoe-Silver Lake & Dassel-Cokato
Glencoe-Silver Lake: Massive 6’4, 230 lb. RB/ATH Mitchel Jaskowiak Mitchel Jaskowiak 6'4" | 225 lbs | RB Glencoe-Silver Lake | 2022 State MN is one of the least fun ball-carriers to tackle in the state of Minnesota this year, and as the Preseason Class AAA Offensive Player of the Year, a lot of his team’s success is going to rest on the broad shoulders of the South Dakota, Bemidji State, and St. Thomas offeree. He’s joined in receiving some Preseason All-State recognition by fellow 2022s Riley Butcher Riley Butcher 6'2" | 220 lbs | TE Glencoe-Silver Lake | 2022 State MN (TE-2nd Team), Nathan Stoltenburg (OL-1st Team), Marco Iracheta (DL-1st Team), and Zach Nowak (DB-1st Team), and although this is definitely a great roster I just don’t think they can match the depth of Fairmont, and when you’re playing in late November/early December you need depth to sustain success. The Panthers are going to be a fun one to watch this season, however.
Dassel-Cokato: I picked the Chargers as a potential state champ for one reason and one reason only: Eli Gillman Eli Gillman 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Dassel-Cokato | 2022 State MN . As the most talented player in the class and the Preseason Player of the Year pick I think his playmaking ability and explosiveness can take the team deep into the playoffs and potentially to a shot at a ring. Two seasons ago as a sophomore Eli almost led his squad to a victory over Pierz in what was a crazy state championship matchup, and he’s going to be even hungrier this year in what will be his last attempt at winning it all. He’ll be joined by Second Team Preseason All-State TE Mason Ailie Mason Ailie 6'4" | 235 lbs | TE Dassel-Cokato | 2022 State MN and QB Gregory Clark Gregory Clark 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Dassel Cokato | 2022 MN , and 2024 Monte Gillman Monte Gillman 5'6" | 165 lbs | RB Dassel-Cokato | 2024 State MN – the younger brother of Eli – will need to provide some help on offense as well. I think it’ll be up to the defense to take this team as far as they want to go.
Class AAAA *2019 state champion = Rocori over SMB 22-21
Favorite: Hutchinson
Class 4A is pretty loaded this fall and should be one of the more competitive state tournament brackets, but after examining and reexamining every member of the class I think the Hutchinson Tigers have what it takes to go all the way in 2021. They’ve been knocking at the door for quite some time, but something tells me they have the pieces to potentially win a ring this fall, and most of that is due to their three-headed monster in Sam Rensch Sam Rensch 6'6" | 205 lbs | DB Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , Colin Nagel Colin Nagel 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , and Aaron Elliott Aaron Elliott 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Hutchinson | 2022 State MN . Rensch, at 6’6, 200 lbs., is a dynamic football player who is playing basketball for Augustana next year in the Northern Sun and is a matchup nightmare who can make plays from his WR or FS position and take advantage of the slightest mistakes by opponents. Nagel is a nicely built TE prospect who is committed to the UMD Bulldogs and also moonlights as a powerful LB on the defensive side of the ball, where he is joined by the under-recruited thumper of a LB Aaron Elliott Aaron Elliott 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , who moves great for his size and lays the wood at the point of contact. I think the combination of their talent, experience, and leadership ability will set the tone for the Tigers and aid them once they get deeper into the playoffs when senior leadership and calm demeanors become must-haves for a wannabe state champ. I am also a fan of Preseason Second Team All-State RB Mitchell Piehl Mitchell Piehl 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , Second Team OL Max Einck Max Einck 6'2" | 250 lbs | OL Hutchinson | 2022 MN , First Team DL and 2023 grad Logan Hoppe Logan Hoppe 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Hutchinson | 2023 State MN , and Second Team DB and fellow ’23er Alex Elliott, and if they can get some solid QB play with as much mistake-free football as possible I think teams need to watch out for Hutch in 2021.
Other Potential Champs: Holy Angels & SMB
Holy Angels: The Academy of Holy Angels roster the Preseason 4A Player of the Year in the electric RB and DB Emmett Johnson Emmett Johnson 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Holy Angels | 2022 State MN , whose vision, elusiveness, and physicality will help him have a dominant senior season that I hope lands him a coveted P5 offer. Much like Eli Gillman Eli Gillman 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Dassel-Cokato | 2022 State MN in AAA, Johnson can take his team deep into the playoffs on the legs of his talent alone, but winning it all definitely means that other teammates need to step up as well. Luckily, the Stars have size and skill spread throughout their senior and junior classes, so I think they matchup well with a lot of other teams in their class and have the speed to play with faster offenses and the size to stop run-heavy attacks. 2023 WR Chuck Gilbert Chuck Gilbert 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR Holy Angels | 2023 State MN is one of only four juniors in MN to currently hold a D1 offer ( Jaxon Howard Jaxon Howard 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL Cooper | 2023 State MN , Grant Chapman Grant Chapman 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Anoka | 2023 State MN , and Najee Nelson are the others), and is poised for a big year in 2021 and was named Preseason All-State Second Team, and fellow 2023 Joe Miller Joe Miller 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Holy Angels | 2023 State MN was also named to the Preseason Second Team as a 6’5, 225 lb. DE. 2022 offensive lineman Charlie Broveleit Charlie Broveleit 6'0" | 285 lbs | OL Holy Angels | 2022 State MN was also named to the Second Team, and I’m also a fan of 6’, 215 lb. LB Ryan Bercich Ryan Bercich 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Holy Angels | 2022 State MN , 2022 WR/DB Terrence Roberts, and 2022 lineman Troy Lynch. Also keep your eyes out for 6’5, 220 lber. Martin De Leon and 6’7, 200 lb. 2022er Will Hillstrom.
SMB: The Wolfpack are a lot different of a team than they were back in 2019 when they were the 4A state runner-up, but still have a ton of big-time talent steered by Michigan State DE commit and PRzMN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year pick Chase Carter Chase Carter 6'6" | 220 lbs | DL SMB | 2022 State MN , who is the top pass-rusher in the state and a natural athlete rushing the passer. I hope they let him play some TE this year as well. Carter will also be aided by one of the fastest players in the state in Preseason All-State First Team RB Sanjay Redd Sanjay Redd 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB SMB | 2022 State MN , one of the largest players in the state in 2023 6’9, 400 lber. Peyton Lange Peyton Lange 6'9" | 340 lbs | OL Minnehaha Academy/SMB | 2023 State MN , and a strong supporting class that includes the 2022 talent of LB Michael Hall Michael Hall 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB SMB | 2022 State MN , athlete Judah Thomas, OL Luke Sugalski Luke Sugalski 6'5" | 240 lbs | OL SMB Football (The Blake School) | 2022 State MN , DB Malcolm Humes, and 2023 LB Joey Stolpestad Joey Stolpestad 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Blake | 2023 State MN .
Class 5A *2019 state champion = Chaska over St. Thomas Academy 10-7
Favorite: Mankato West
The Scarlet are a traditional powerhouse and state champions in 2014 and bring back their most talent-rich roster since that state championship ’14 squad. They have a ton of players with game and are captained by one of the most versatile talents in the state in 6’5, 205 lb. WR/CB Mekhi Collins Mekhi Collins 6'4" | 205 lbs | WR Mankato West | 2022 State MN – who recently signed with FCS heavyweight North Dakota State. He’ll have a great QB throwing to him in Preseason 5A First Team All-Stater Zander Dittbenner Zander Dittbenner 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Mankato-West | 2022 State MN , Preseason 5A Second Team pass-rusher Gannon Rosenfeld Gannon Rosenfeld 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Mankato West | 2022 State MN , and First Team LB pick Ryan Haley Ryan Haley 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Mankato-West | 2022 State MN – who just signed with Ivy League competitor Brown University. I also named specialist Drew Smook Drew Smook 6'0" | 195 lbs | K Mankato West | 2022 MN to the Preseason First Team specialist list, and 2022 defensive athlete Walker Britz Walker Britz 6'1" | RB Mankato-West | 2022 State MN plays like his hair is on fire, but for Mankato West to go all the way they will need their OL to have a big year. However, West has a great strength and conditioning program and I know those kids will come in strong enough to compete.
Second Favorite: St. Thomas Academy
The Cadets have been a mainstay deep into the playoffs and were the 5A runner-ups in 2019, 2018, & 2015, and the 4A runner-up in 2006, and bring back another excellent roster with depth and speed at a lot of positions on the football field. My favorite preps of their 2021 season included Preseason First Team All-State RB Love Adebayo Love Adebayo 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Saint Thomas Academy | 2023 State MN (2023), First Team OL Leo Bluhm Leo Bluhm 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL St. Thomas Academy | 2022 State MN , and Second Team athlete Grady O’Neill – who brings his accomplished track speed to the gridiron in an exciting way. I also am a fan of 2022 LB Brennan Fitzgerald and 2022 OL Dillon Lynch, and I think their strength in the trenches will be a big reason for their success this fall. In my opinion, Class 5A is the most up in the air of the seven classes of prep football in MN and there are a lot of other teams who will be nipping at the heels of these two competitors.
Class 6A *2019 state champion = Wayzata over Champlin Park 35-20
Favorite: Lakeville South
The largest class of Minnesota high school football is going to be very competitive in 2021, with a ton of teams showing significant balance and talent across a variety of positions on offense, defense, and special teams, but I think the team with the most top-heavy ability is the Lakeville South and for that reason, I picked the Cougars as the preseason favorite in Class 6A. I was dangerously close to naming the Preseason POY, OPOY, and DPOY all Cougars, as Chase Androff Chase Androff 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Lakeville South | 2022 State MN (TE), Camden Dean Camden Dean 5'11" | 170 lbs | ATH Lakeville South | 2022 State MN (QB), Carson Hansen Carson Hansen 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Lakeville South | 2023 State MN (RB), and Zach Juckel Zach Juckel 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Lakeville South | 2022 State MN (LB) are all arguably the best players at their position going into the year, and if they can get some tenacity and toughness out of their offensive line I think their offense has the potential to be the hardest to stop in 2021. That also infers that the defense is going to fly around and play aggressively enough to support this offense, but I think with the talents of Juckel leading fellow 2022 standouts Alex Vazquez (LB-6’2, 215), Hasan Kassim Hasan Kassim 6'3" | 225 lbs | DL Lakeville South | 2022 MN (DL-6’3, 225), and Delainey Suraju (DL) I think they have the size and the strength to withstand some of the powerful rushing attacks by their fellow big school competitors. I think Lakeville South would have won state last season so I am very curious to see how 2021 goes for them.
Other Potential Champs: Rosemount & Wayzata
Rosemount: The Irish offer some very intriguing team strengths as they have probably the best LB corps in the state in Miles Townsend Miles Townsend 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Rosemount | 2022 State MN , TJ Liggett, Gavin Bass Gavin Bass 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Rosemount | 2023 State MN (2023) , and Kade Gilbertson Kade Gilbertson 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Rosemount | 2023 State MN (2023), and also return an experienced offensive line led by TJ Edminson TJ Edminson 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Rosemount | 2022 State MN and Noah Lindsay Noah Lindsay 6'2" | 280 lbs | OL Rosemount | 2023 State MN (2023). Per usual, they also bring back some studs at the WR position, as Cedric Wall Cedric Wall 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Rosemount | 2022 State MN holds a NDSU PWO offer and is joined by 6’5 pass-catcher Sam Kuseske Sam Kuseske 6'4" | 190 lbs | WR Rosemount | 2022 State MN – who needs to have a big year for the Irish offense as Wall and RB Jaydon Washington will most likely hold the primary attention of opposing DCs this fall. Rosemount also has the best specialist in Minnesota in K Leyton Simmering Leyton Simmering 6'1" | 155 lbs | K Rosemount | 2022 State MN – who is a key variable in 6A success that not a lot of schools possess – but where the Irish will hold the most “x-factors” is in their 2023 class. FB/TE Hayden Bills Hayden Bills 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL Rosemount | 2023 State MN (6’3, 225 lbs.) was incredibly physical on JV last year and placed in the spring of ’21 MN track & field championships and won the USATF Boys 15-16 Discus throw this April, so he has the makings of a difference-maker and tone-setter no matter where he plays. I’m also intrigued by 6’4, 220 lb. 2023 athlete Carter Theisen Carter Theisen 6'5" | 220 lbs | ATH Rosemount | 2023 MN , and if Rosemount can get a lot of production out of their junior class I think they’re going to be very dangerous come November.
Wayzata: The defending state champions in 6A have a strong senior class and a lot of balance amongst their offense and defense positions, leading me to believe that will be knocking at the door of a state championship opportunity. They have three strong offensive line prospects led by North Dakota commit Brett Kelzenberg Brett Kelzenberg 6'4" | 255 lbs | OL Wayzata | 2022 State MN , who is joined by fellow senior maulers Blake Bergmann Blake Bergmann 6'3" | 240 lbs | OL Wayzata | 2022 State MN and Joe Blom Joe Blom 6'1" | 240 lbs | OL Wayzata | 2022 State MN and junior 6’5, 235 lber. Ian Bonneau and will be tasked with setting the tone and point of attack for the Trojans week in and week out. They also have a gifted and experienced returning QB in Ryan Harvey Ryan Harvey 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Wayzata | 2022 State MN who is joined by two strong offensive weapons in St. Thomas WR commit Julian Diedrich Julian Diedrich 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Wayzata | 2022 State MN and massive TE Jack Kinsey – a surefire scholarship talent who can make an impact in the blocking and passing games of Wayzata. They also have some DUDES on defense, with South Dakota State pass-rusher commit Tommy Hamann Tommy Hamann 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Wayzata | 2022 MN poised as the best of the bunch. However, 2022 LB Fox Knutson Fox Knutson 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Wayzata | 2022 State MN is a speedster with sideline-to-sideline ability, and behind him, Minnesota baseball commit and talented safety Drew Berkland Drew Berkland DB Wayzata | 2022 State MN will lead the backend of the historically dominant Trojans defense. As I said, Wayzata is balanced, and with some much senior talent, I think they have a legit shot at repeating as big-school state champs.