AAAAAA Post-Season Favorites

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Week 6 of the Minnesota Prep Football Season comes to a close, we now have a far better idea of what teams will emerge victorious from the combative post-season which is fast approaching. In the biggest class for MN Football, 32 teams will soon begin a duel with the goal of a state title in mind. In this article, I've picked out the teams who I think stand the best chance to win the AAAAAA title in 2023 and highlighted some of their key players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>The Favorites:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eden Prairie: (6-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By far the favorites after Week 6, Eden Prairie looks darn near unstoppable. With big wins over fellow favorites Buffalo and Minnetonka, it's easy to assume that they will emerge after the regular season as the betting favorites to win the AAAAAA State Title. With a stud offensive line anchored by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='105391' first='Will' last='Sather']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236482' first='Ethan' last='Sims']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242468' first='Patrick' last='Ruhlin']</strong>, the Eagles have one of the best run offenses in the state. Also important to mention is TE Yale commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='706026' first='Dennis' last='Rahouski'] </strong>and D1 offered RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='641134' first='Elijah' last='Rumph']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maple Grove: (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of a dominant Week 6 win, the Crimson looks to be right back into State title contention. Led by junior RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1192021' first='Charles' last='Langama']</strong>, who just amassed over 1100 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, it's easy to pencil them in as a favorite. Sophomore QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489731' first='Kaden' last='Harney']</strong> has also had a solid season as he often finds his top receiver junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586119' first='Dylan' last='Vokal'] </strong>downfield. Defensively they're anchored by junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='363115' first='Jacob' last='Wrbanek']</strong>, who is just shy of 50 tackles through 6 weeks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeville North: (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With only one loss coming to their rival Lakeville South, North has been rolling these last few weeks with dominant wins over Mayo, Eagan, and Farmington. The Panthers are led by junior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234766' first='Riley' last='Grossman']</strong> and a top RB duo in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='383119' first='Sawyer' last='Wilkie']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='348783' first='Sam' last='Ripplinger']</strong>. Defensively they have junior LB <strong>Reece Hunt </strong>who has amassed 3.5 sacks through 6 games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeville South: (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rivals of the previously mentioned Lakeville North, South put together an impressive 5-game-winning streak before falling to Rosemount in Week 6. Led by a duo of junior runningbacks [player_tooltip player_id='945336' first='Jonah' last='Shine'] and [player_tooltip player_id='234775' first='Connor' last='Cade'], the Cougars can march the ball down the field as well as anyone. On the other side of the ball, they have 2 guys with 3+ sacks in seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1146308' first='Joe' last='Hager'] </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='348688' first='Isaac' last='Cin']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rosemount: (4-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of an upset win over Lakeville South, Rosemount has won 3 of their last 3 and boasts a 35-0 win over currently 4-2 Eastview. Led by RB <strong>Jackson Ganser</strong>, the run-heavy offense can hang with the best of 6A defenses. Also to note on offense are ATH <strong>Joseph Meleckzedeck</strong>, and OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592232' first='Brady' last='Struble']</strong>. Defensively they have a pair of great DBs in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='105415' first='Riddik' last='Collier']</strong> and <strong>Ty Hansen</strong>, as well as DL <strong>Emmanuel Boswell.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial: (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With their only loss coming in Week 3 to Maple Grove, Centennial has been on a tear during the last two weeks, dropping a combined 70 points. They have three ball carriers with over 350 yards, those being seniors <strong>Daylen</strong> <strong>Cummings</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1145327' first='Maverick' last='Harper']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242424' first='Ty' last='Burgoon']</strong>. They are a stout team defensively, with 2 defenders holding over 6.0 sacks, and three defenders with over 40 tackles. Those would be a trio of seniors including <strong>Melvin Wallace</strong>, <strong>Marcus</strong> <strong>Whiting</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='105389' first='Timmy' last='Ball'] </strong>respectively. Any team with such a dominant senior class is especially dangerous come the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minnetonka: (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undefeated up until the previous week, Minnetonka is still an exceptionally dangerous team. Led by two-star senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242401' first='Milos' last='Spasojevic']</strong>, the Skippers have been able to pull out win after win for the first 5 weeks. Also having a great season on offense are seniors, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='924226' first='Roman' last='Johnson']</strong>, <strong>Lucas Knox</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245323' first='Joran' last='Thomsen']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772656' first='Hudson' last='Poole']</strong>. Defensively junior LB <strong>Dylan</strong> <strong>Hudgens</strong> has looked good, as well as senior <strong>Hunter Peterson</strong> and junior <strong>Andrew Fider</strong>. Another team with a lot of senior talent who could make a nice postseason run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woodbury: (4-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boasting a typically very potent offense, the Woodbury Royals are a team that has seen a lot of success this season and also has the potential to make a deep playoff run. Led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='105394' first='George' last='Bjellos']</strong>, one of the top QBs in the state, the Royals look to continue their success over the next couple of weeks.<strong> Isaiah Tisdle</strong> heads up their backfield, averaging over 100 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs per game. They also boast a dangerous receiving core that consists of <strong>Liam Frommelt</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242497' first='Charlie' last='Jacobson']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242496' first='Quentin' last='Cobb-Butler']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Buffalo: (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest surprises of the year is Buffalo! Their record improved after being bumped up a class and with the exception of an early loss to Eden Prairie, have looked very good throughout the season. And a player I've been rooting for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119899' first='Ky' last='Kelvie']</strong>, has looked fantastic as the Bison's QB1 so far. The Bison have three senior receivers with over 200 yards, <strong>Nolan Mahannah</strong>, <strong>Gauge Alsen</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238078' first='Wyatt' last='Osterbauer']</strong>. <strong>Osterbauer</strong> also has 54 tackles and 2.0 sacks and a defensive TD. The Bison are fun to watch and I hope they make a deep playoff run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stillwater: (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winners of 5 of their last 5, it's safe to say that Stillwater didn't need a rebuilding season after their strong senior class from last year graduated. Led by sophomore sensation QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224134' first='Nick' last='Kinsey']</strong>, the Ponies have been on a roll. Sophomore RB <strong>Emilio Rosario Matias</strong> compliments a dangerous passing attack led by senior WRs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551374' first='Joe' last='Hoheisel']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480730' first='Tanner' last='Schmidt']</strong>. A lot to like about this Stillwater team!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anoka: (4-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A team that I was a firm believer in at the beginning of the season, Anoka has looked pretty good through the first six weeks. Headlined by junior QB <strong>Peyton Podnay</strong>, the Anoka passing attack is one to be feared. With two elite receivers in juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446976' first='Trey' last='Borchers'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='945329' first='Afy' last='Ibekwe']</strong>, it's tough not to become enthralled by this team's potential. On the ground, they have senior <strong>Terrell Cummings</strong> and FRESHMAN <strong>Brody Rush</strong>. This team is building for the future and I'm excited to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->