PrepRedzoneMN Preseason State Champion Predictions: 9Man-6A

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 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. [caption id="attachment_194868" align="aligncenter" width="396"]<img class="wp-image-194868 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/1500x500-300x100.jpg" alt="" width="396" height="132" /> Asher Zubich and the Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers[/caption] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="49819" first="Teigan" last="Martin"] - who is committed to FBS Liberty University and is a force as a TE/DE - as well as fellow First Team selections [player_tooltip player_id="22948" first="Ty" last="Hoese"] (2022-QB), [player_tooltip player_id="134228" first="Sam" last="Dennis"] (2022-ATH), [player_tooltip player_id="49869" first="Elijah" last="Jopp"] (2022-LB), and [player_tooltip player_id="116457" first="Dylan" last="Nelson"] (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 [player_tooltip player_id="173869" first="Tyler" last="Neitzel"] (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 [player_tooltip player_id="112082" first="Owen" last="Louwagie"], Preseason First Team RB [player_tooltip player_id="112085" first="Clayton" last="Kosel"] (2023), and stud Preseason First Team wideout [player_tooltip player_id="123046" first="Nathan" last="Fenske"]. 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. [caption id="attachment_98789" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-98789 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/2-9-1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="49819" first="Teigan" last="Martin"] at our PrepRedzoneMN Showcase[/caption]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 [player_tooltip player_id="18422" first="Eli" last="King"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="49824" first="Logan" last="Banse"] poised to be one of the best pass-rushers in the state this year. I’m a fan of 2022 RB [player_tooltip player_id="18451" first="Thane" last="Meiners"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="18066" first="Zach" last="Yeager"], RB [player_tooltip player_id="18033" first="Terrance" last="Kamara"], DE/TE [player_tooltip player_id="22927" first="Davon" last="Townley"] are all playing D1 football this fall while LB [player_tooltip player_id="18034" first="Dominic" last="McMillian"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="18424" first="Mario" last="Sanders"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="18561" first="Chester" last="Watley"] and Second Teamer [player_tooltip player_id="18535" first="Quiyon" last="Jordan"], and also have some size in their younger ranks in 2023 lineman [player_tooltip player_id="105366" first="Auvon" last="Sager"], [player_tooltip player_id="112087" first="Jeremiah" last="Sims"] (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 [player_tooltip player_id="112155" first="William" last="Smith"], 2024 DB [player_tooltip player_id="105392" first="Zashon" last="Rich"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="116257" first="Hudson" last="Artz"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="49827" first="Zach" last="Jorgensen"] (2022-QB), [player_tooltip player_id="116267" first="Eli" last="Anderson"] (2022-WR), Tyson Kube (2022-FB), Noah Rahm (2022-OL), and Jake Harris (2022-DB), as well as Second Team members [player_tooltip player_id="49847" first="Gavin" last="Rodning"] (2022-LB), and [player_tooltip player_id="112089" first="Brock" last="Lutterman"] (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 [player_tooltip player_id="49832" first="Mitchel" last="Jaskowiak"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="116456" first="Riley" last="Butcher"] (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: [player_tooltip player_id="22923" first="Eli" last="Gillman"]. 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 [player_tooltip player_id="116466" first="Mason" last="Ailie"] and QB [player_tooltip player_id="137365" first="Gregory" last="Clark"], and 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="105371" first="Monte" last="Gillman"] - 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. [caption id="attachment_194875" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-194875 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/E3Z9PaFXwAUpdf8-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> [player_tooltip player_id="116257" first="Hudson" last="Artz"] (left) and some Fairmont teammates at this summer’s Iowa State prospect camp[/caption]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 [player_tooltip player_id="18438" first="Sam" last="Rensch"], [player_tooltip player_id="49828" first="Colin" last="Nagel"], and [player_tooltip player_id="49825" first="Aaron" last="Elliott"]. 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 [player_tooltip player_id="49825" first="Aaron" last="Elliott"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="49848" first="Mitchell" last="Piehl"], Second Team OL [player_tooltip player_id="136413" first="Max" last="Einck"], First Team DL and 2023 grad [player_tooltip player_id="19007" first="Logan" last="Hoppe"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="18427" first="Emmett" last="Johnson"], whose vision, elusiveness, and physicality will help him have a dominant senior season that I hope lands him a coveted P5 offer. Much like [player_tooltip player_id="22923" first="Eli" last="Gillman"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="112101" first="Chuck" last="Gilbert"] is one of only four juniors in MN to currently hold a D1 offer ([player_tooltip player_id="19001" first="Jaxon" last="Howard"], [player_tooltip player_id="112042" first="Grant" last="Chapman"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="112068" first="Joe" last="Miller"] was also named to the Preseason Second Team as a 6’5, 225 lb. DE. 2022 offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="49856" first="Charlie" last="Broveleit"] was also named to the Second Team, and I’m also a fan of 6’, 215 lb. LB [player_tooltip player_id="116273" first="Ryan" last="Bercich"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="18423" first="Chase" last="Carter"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="116250" first="Sanjay" last="Redd"], one of the largest players in the state in 2023 6’9, 400 lber. [player_tooltip player_id="19004" first="Peyton" last="Lange"], and a strong supporting class that includes the 2022 talent of LB [player_tooltip player_id="49833" first="Michael" last="Hall"], athlete Judah Thomas, OL [player_tooltip player_id="116497" first="Luke" last="Sugalski"], DB Malcolm Humes, and 2023 LB [player_tooltip player_id="19032" first="Joey" last="Stolpestad"]. [caption id="attachment_194878" align="aligncenter" width="450"]<img class="wp-image-194878 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/1500x500-1-300x100.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="18438" first="Sam" last="Rensch"] making a tough catch last season.[/caption]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 [player_tooltip player_id="18425" first="Mekhi" last="Collins"] - 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 [player_tooltip player_id="49920" first="Zander" last="Dittbenner"], Preseason 5A Second Team pass-rusher [player_tooltip player_id="49958" first="Gannon" last="Rosenfeld"], and First Team LB pick [player_tooltip player_id="49868" first="Ryan" last="Haley"] - who just signed with Ivy League competitor Brown University. I also named specialist [player_tooltip player_id="119376" first="Drew" last="Smook"] to the Preseason First Team specialist list, and 2022 defensive athlete [player_tooltip player_id="49906" first="Walker" last="Britz"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="19005" first="Love" last="Adebayo"] (2023), First Team OL [player_tooltip player_id="116271" first="Leo" last="Bluhm"], 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. [caption id="attachment_194879" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-194879 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/E3o8iUwXEAEuv-3-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="18425" first="Mekhi" last="Collins"] and NDSU WR coach Noah Pauley[/caption]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 [player_tooltip player_id="18432" first="Chase" last="Androff"] (TE), [player_tooltip player_id="116280" first="Camden" last="Dean"] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id="112043" first="Carson" last="Hansen"] (RB), and [player_tooltip player_id="116197" first="Zach" last="Juckel"] (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), [player_tooltip player_id="167483" first="Hasan" last="Kassim"] (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 [player_tooltip player_id="49937" first="Miles" last="Townsend"], TJ Liggett, [player_tooltip player_id="19006" first="Gavin" last="Bass"] (2023) , and [player_tooltip player_id="112053" first="Kade" last="Gilbertson"] (2023), and also return an experienced offensive line led by [player_tooltip player_id="18527" first="TJ" last="Edminson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="112090" first="Noah" last="Lindsay"] (2023). Per usual, they also bring back some studs at the WR position, as [player_tooltip player_id="116274" first="Cedric" last="Wall"] holds a NDSU PWO offer and is joined by 6’5 pass-catcher [player_tooltip player_id="49899" first="Sam" last="Kuseske"] - 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 [player_tooltip player_id="18554" first="Leyton" last="Simmering"] - 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 [player_tooltip player_id="188150" first="Hayden" last="Bills"] (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 [player_tooltip player_id="112122" first="Carter" last="Theisen"], 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 [player_tooltip player_id="116206" first="Brett" last="Kelzenberg"], who is joined by fellow senior maulers [player_tooltip player_id="49910" first="Blake" last="Bergmann"] and [player_tooltip player_id="116482" first="Joe" last="Blom"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="27459" first="Ryan" last="Harvey"] who is joined by two strong offensive weapons in St. Thomas WR commit [player_tooltip player_id="18450" first="Julian" last="Diedrich"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="140175" first="Tommy" last="Hamann"] poised as the best of the bunch. However, 2022 LB [player_tooltip player_id="49884" first="Fox" last="Knutson"] is a speedster with sideline-to-sideline ability, and behind him, Minnesota baseball commit and talented safety [player_tooltip player_id="18442" first="Drew" last="Berkland"] 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.