PrepRedzoneMN 2022 State Championship Predictions: 9man-6A

Week 1 is in the books (Week 2 for some teams) and with the Preseason All-State series published and in the books, PrepRedzoneMN has officially shifted from off to in-season content and I'm pumped to bring to our awesome subscribers another fall covering Minnesota's best and most underrated prep football players. Despite us shifting into game reports, standout performances, and recruiting notes, I think we still have time to do some state championship predictions for the seven classes of MN prep football in 2022. Last season in my 2021 predictions, I correctly picked four of the seven classes straight up and named Dassel-Cokato as a second pick, so I'm hoping to up my percentage to 100% this fall and am going to take my best wack at guessing the 2022 State Champions for 9man-6A this season. Remember, this is solely an exercise for fun, and I'm basing this generally on the talent I reviewed in my Preseason All-State film grind, so please don't take this too seriously if I don't pick your program. It's all for the love of the game! Best of luck to every high school in our Great State of Minnesota this fall, this is the best time of year and I very much miss home. Thanks for reading.   9Man   2021 State Champ =LeRoy-Ostrander Cardinals over Fertile-Beltrami 58-8   My Pick: Renville County West   The Jaguars came into the 2021 state tournament as the #2 seed but suffered an unfortunate upset to Hills-Beaver Creek in the quarterfinals. With only minimal attrition in the program and some stud 9man athletes all over the field returning with a hunger and championship mentality, they also feature the deepest roster in terms of numbers that I found while scrounging film for the Preseason All-State feature. In addition to the roster depth, I am a big fan of their top-end talent, including three Preseason All-State offensive picks such as QB AJ Gasca, offensive lineman Carter Rice, and RB Jasen Jansen. They also feature three defensive lineman spread out on the first and second teams, a first team DB in Adam Schrupp, and a first team kicker in Eddie Morales. A lot of these standouts are seniors, but many good-lookin' players are juniors, so I think the team has the right blend of experience and breadth of positional talent to take things all the way this year. As perennial state tournament contenders, a 9man title would be the culmination of a ton of graduating classes of hard working Jaguar preps. Good luck, Jaguars!   Second Choice: Mountain Iron-Buhl   I had MIB in my 2021 version of this feature, and with the return of last year's 9man All-State QB Asher Zubich, you shouldn't be surprised that I am still bullish on the Rangers this season. I believe MIB has the most dangerous one-two offensive punch in the whole class in Zubich and junior RB Damian Tapio, which should allow them to score points on anyone they're matched up against and help him improve on last year's #7 seed for the state tourney. A good QB can take a team quite far on their shoulders alone, especially at the small school level, so don't count out Zubich's talent and experience in 2022. I also like two-way senior Sam Lokken, Preseason Second Team All-State WR Riley Busch, fellow '23 pass-catcher Nikolas Jesch, and senior OL Blayne Wainio. 2025 WR prospect Cooper Salinas is also noteworthy, with two-sport varsity experience and a 6'3, 190 lb. frame. Go Rangers!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3486-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-205256" /><figcaption>Asher Zubich</figcaption></figure>   Class A   2021 State Champ= Mayer Lutheran Crusaders over Minneota 20-14   This class took me the longest to choose out of any of the seven.   My Pick: Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa   As mentioned before, Class A's prediction took me the longest to guess of the whole bunch. It's always tough to bet against Minneota, but they have a smaller senior class and I thought I should go big with the guess. Meet the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars, who are spearheaded by some very well built upperclassman including one of the best offensive players in the class in 6'5, 200 lb WR Jamison Reed. He's got another big upperclassman throwing to him in 6'3, 190 lb. junior QB Luke Dingmann, whose older brother Ashton was one of around 10 seniors to graduate in 2022 and leave behind a strong number of young bucks who will be hungry after experiencing their first round loss to Rushford-Peterson in last year's state tournament quarterfinals. I also am a fan of their 6'1, 250 lb. DE Ethan Spanier, a Preseason All-State pick, and I'm under the impression a lot of last year's state tournament qualifiers saw a lot of attrition, so we'll see if I'm correct come November. Go Jags!   Second Choice: Randolph Rockets   This is somewhat of a homer pick, as I know some people in the Rockets program and am a big fan of UNI Commit Tyson Cooreman, but Randolph's offense seems to have picked up right where they left off last season and are putting up points like a basketball team. They lost a mauler in 2022 lineman Clay Nielsen but still retain a ton of size, some promising underclassmen that make up a multi-headed backfield, and some talented and experienced pass catchers. QB Evan Bennerotte, WR JJ Root, and athlete Charles Gustafson are all seniors to watch, and with the Preseason Player of the Year Cooreman at the helm I think they have what it takes to go deep into the postseason in 2022. Go Rockets!   Other Teams to Watch: Lakeview and Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg   Class AA   2021 State Champ= Chatfield Gophers over West Central Area/Ashby 14-13   My Pick: Chatfield Gophers   One of the easier decisions of the bunch, Chatfield returns a large senior class that already won a state title, the best player in the class in Preseason POY Sam Backer, and a ton of two-way playmakers who are going to be determined to leave their school as 2x state champs in Class AA. They did graduate some size in the trenches from the last year's class, but Backer is more than good enough to make up for the last meat. He won't have to do it all by himself however, as 6'4 WR Cole Johnson is a stud, and I also liked the game of Drew O'Connor (TE/OLB), Kailan Schott (RB/LB2024), and Carter Daniels (DE/FB). It's kind of funny seeing the Class AA crown stay in the Southeast White conference, with the powers shifting from Caledonia to Chatfield. Let's see if they can keep it going! Go Gophers!   Second Choice: Minneapolis North   There was a good group of competitors looking to dethrone Chatfield, and of them I think the program with the best shot of upsetting the champs goes to perennial contender Minneapolis North. Sporting one of the deeper rosters in AA, the Polars above and beyond possess the most size of anyone in the class, highlighted by senior lineman Auvon Sager (Preseason DPOY-6'5, 240), Jeremiah Sims (6'7, 280), Dontavius Kanatzer (6'3, 315) and RB/DE Will Smith (6'2, 220). They also have the best defensive backfield in the class and overall a ton of defensive speed, as well as an already experienced junior class ready to step their game up as upperclassmen. It's a balanced, well-coached roster, but need to replace a ton of offensive firepower from their 2022 class. We'll see what happens once the regular season begins winding down. Good luck, Polars!   Other Teams to Watch: Norwood Young America and Pipestone   Class AAA   2021 State Champ= Dassel-Cokato Chargers over Plainview-Elgin-Millville 28-21   My Pick: Esko   No disrespect to the defending champs Dassel-Cokato, but I have a hard time seeing them repeat as AAA champs in 2022. Additionally, most of last year's state playoff qualifiers saw big losses after the 2022 class left, including Breck, Fairmont, and Annandale. However, one team that qualified for state in 2021 returns a majority of their talent in Duluth-area Esko High School, and boy do they have some players that make me excited. Nolan Witt (RB/LB - 6', 205), Koi Perich (Junior - ATH), and Javontae Gregory (DB - 6', 190) are absolute studs, and are backed by Carter Zezulka (WR - 6'2, 200) and Joey Antonutti (Junior - LB) who are dang fine football players as well. The whole state of Minnesota needs to become aware of Perich in particular, who can do just about anything asked of him on the gridiron and is a natural playmaker out of the 2024 class, and the fact that they won a state playoff game in 2021 in a thrilling 28-21 victory over New London-Spicer bodes well for when the lights are the brightest and most intense. However, there are some fired up teams that will be nipping at their heels and itching to prove my pick wrong. Go Eskimos!   Second Choice: Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton   I had a mess of a time deciding who my second choice would be, and the state tournament experience of DGF ultimately helped me pick them as the other team to watch from PrepRedzoneMN. Owen Leach is the real deal on the gridiron, and the 6'6, 190 lb. QB/ATH is going to be a monster in his final season of football before he plays his college basketball for UMD. He won't be alone either, as his 2023 class also contains the hard hitting lineman Victor Sosa, two-way standout Jordan Summers, and fellow senior lineman Max Baumgartner. The program also is home to some up-and-coming underclassmen in 2025s Casey Macziewski and Caleb Johnson. Class AAA is going to be a fun one this year.   Other Teams to Watch: Watertown-Mayer and Pequot Lakes   Class 4A   2021 State Champ= Hutchinson Tigers over Kasson-Mantorville 42-14   My Pick: Hutchinson Tigers   Another easier choice as far as this article is concerned, Hutchinson is the second program I'm predicting will repeat in 2022 and in my opinion, have the best shot of anyone going back-to-back on this list. Led by Golden Gopher commit and Preseason POY Alex Elliott, the Tigers did graduate a ton of talent, size, and experience all over the board now that the 2022s have departed, but return plenty of the aforementioned characteristics as well, with a deadly, two-headed rushing attack in Elliott and fellow senior Levi Teetzel. Those boys can run the rock and bring two very different rushing styles to the table, and also sport a dangerous defensive line, something that very much comes in handy when it's November and you're playing in a tight one in U.S. Bank Stadium. Their 2022 roster is still stereotypical of Hutchinson's powerful teams of the past, with size at almost every position and physical ball carriers who beat down and dominate opponents no matter the time of the season. I'm also a big fan of 6'4, 255 lb. DL Logan Hoppe, 6'2, 285 lb. junior OL Anton Kadlec, 6'2, 220 lb. DE/TE Kyle Schumann, and 6', 200 lb. LB Dylan Wigern. You are going to need to put on your big boy pants and tuck them in tight before you play the Tigers in 2022.   Second Choice: Rocori Spartans   I believe the perennial 4A contender is back near the top of the heap in 2022 and is built to take it deep into November once again. A staple of the Spartan's state championship caliber squads of the past is an athletic, poised, and experienced QB with a multi-sport background, and they have another good one in 2023 Jack Spanier, a stud baseball player like many Spartans before him. He'll be aided by his monster OT Jacob Lopau, a 6'7, 285 lb. anchor and tone-setter who can be counted on in the run and pass blocking game, and I think the big x-factor that helps Rocori in big-game situations and deep into the playoffs is that coaching staff, which keeps their kids disciplined, determined, and tough. Let's see if they can get back to form in 2022 despite missing the playoff last season.   Other Teams to Watch: Detroit Lakes, Simley, Winona   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/90_LeviTeetzel_2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-138747" /><figcaption>Levi Teetzel</figcaption></figure>   Class 5A   2021 State Champ= Mankato West Scarlets over Mahtomedi 24-10   My Pick: St. Thomas Academy Cadets   Class 5A was Mankato West's to lose last season and things are definitely more up for grabs in 2022. With just about every section represented by a team that I could see making a legitimate run for a championship, I think there is still one program that is head and shoulders above the rest: the St. Thomas Academy Cadets. Last season's state quarterfinal matchup between STA and the eventual champs Mankato West was billed and largely accepted as the de-facto state title game, and it lived up the hype in what resulted in a 21-14 Scarlets victory. Although they did graduate some playmakers, the Cadets bring back more than a large share of that almost state title 2021 squad, including the most loaded offensive backfield in Minnesota. That RB group, consisting mainly of senior truckstick Love Adebayo and junior speedster Savion Hart, are going to be more than a handful for each and every DC that has to prep against them, and balance out with playmakers on defense and a returning QB with varsity experience and skills. I believe they have the offensive firepower, strength and size in the trenches, and roster depth to take things all the way in 2022. Make sure to keep an eye out for senior LB Mark Rogalski and senior DB Jake Borman, both Preseason All-State picks, as well as juniors Robbie Wollan (OL) , Teddy Knapp (TE/DE), and Alex Jansen (LB). Go Cadets!   Second Choice: Mankato West   It's hard to bet against the defending champs, and although there were a lot of 5A programs from all over the state that caught my eye and show off talented, balanced rosters, I think the Scarlets potentially have the pieces in play to repeat if a lot of kids are ready to step up and replace the production of the major FCS, DII, and DIII recruits to graduate in 2022. 2024 QB Bart McAninch will have to get comfortable quick as QB1, but will be backed up by a strong returning run game that will be the focal point of the offense. Elijah Green and Damian Riewe will need to run their tails off to keep up points up, and senior LB Ty Neils will be asked to anchor the hopefully-swarming Scarlets defense. Don't count out the champs!   Other Teams to Watch: Chaska, Spring Lake Park, Elk River, Cooper   Class 6A   2021 State Champ= Lakeville South Cougars over Maple Grove 13-7   My Pick: Lakeville South   Not to repeat myself, but it's hard to bet against the champs. This 6A title is Lakeville South's title until they prove it isn't, especially with the defending MN Gatorade Player of the Year in Iowa State RB commit Carson Hansen. With the most prolific and productive rusher since Jason Williamson combined with South's Power-T rushing attack, it's a match made in MN prep football heaven. It's not like he's by himself either, as there's a host of RBs and FBs willing to aid in the workload as well as size and muscle in the trenches and among the LBs. However, they graduated some major players and recruits in their 2022 class, so this prediction is far less of a sure bet as was in 2021. However, the likes of Brecken Klein (OL, 2023, 6'4, 280), Zachary Steinhagen (OL/TE, 2023, 6'3, 230), and Owen McCloud (OL/LB) all have something to say about who goes home #1, and I also like Wyatt Ronn (OL/LB -5'11, 225) and Jackson Hall (RB-5'11, 185) to help the Cougars as well. These next two teams I'm mentioning are star-studded and hungry for championship hardware, though, and gunning to knock off South from the top.   Second Choice(s): Eden Prairie and Prior Lake   I know, I cheated with two picks here, but both of these teams are two good to decide between and personally, I would love to see them play in a big school state championship later this fall.   Eden Prairie: The Eagles are deep and benefited from a 2021 season where they took some hard knocks but learned valuable experience at key positions, particularly at QB. They are loaded for a prototypical EP offensive attack with bruising lineman and rushers and an athletic QB with great decision making ability and coolness under pressure. The pieces are in place, and I love the one-two punch of EP's defense, where Kansas State DE commit Chiddi Obiazor and his DL grinder counterparts of will be strengthened in the backend by playmaking DBs Jacory Bates and Devin Jordan. On offense, the aforementioned QB play of Nick Fazi will be handing the rock off to 6'2, 215 lb. RB Tyler Walden, who will be running by the likes of 6'2, 260 lb. senior Andy Kaiser, 6', 265 lb. 2024 OC and AAA heavyweight wrestling champ Will Sather, and 6'7, 285 lb. 2024 OT Ethan Sims. Are the Eagles back? We shall see.   Prior Lake: The Lakers are absolutely star-studded across the board. Two Gopher commits, one of the physically largest OLs and DLs in Minnesota, and a deadly combo of Joey Krouse and Grayson Spronk, two RB/SB athletes who will be more than a handful to game plan against, and a plethora of young bucks eager to prove what they got at the varsity level. The top end of Class 6A is outrageously competitive this season and Prior Lake is more than talented enough to beat out the big boys in both the regular and postseason. Check out some of these OL and DL hogs the Lakers have in 2022:   Martin Owusu - DL. 6'3, 275 lbs., Greg Johnson - OL. 6'5, 275 lbs. Aiden Horel - OL. 6'4, 270 lbs., Trace Bowman - TE. 6'5, 225 lbs., Reid Permuth - DL. 6'4, 240 lbs., Jide Abasiri - DL. 6'6, 260 lbs., Tanner Rueckert - DL. 6'2, 280 lbs., Alex Geroux - OL. 6', 270 lbs., Cael Becker - OL. 6'2, 260 lbs.   Thanks for reading!

Week 1 is in the books (Week 2 for some teams) and with the Preseason All-State series published and in the books, PrepRedzoneMN has officially shifted from off to in-season content and I'm pumped to bring to our awesome subscribers another fall covering Minnesota's best and most underrated prep football players. Despite us shifting into game reports, standout performances, and recruiting notes, I think we still have time to do some state championship predictions for the seven classes of MN prep football in 2022. Last season in my 2021 predictions, I correctly picked four of the seven classes straight up and named Dassel-Cokato as a second pick, so I'm hoping to up my percentage to 100% this fall and am going to take my best wack at guessing the 2022 State Champions for 9man-6A this season. Remember, this is solely an exercise for fun, and I'm basing this generally on the talent I reviewed in my Preseason All-State film grind, so please don't take this too seriously if I don't pick your program. It's all for the love of the game! Best of luck to every high school in our Great State of Minnesota this fall, this is the best time of year and I very much miss home. Thanks for reading.