Making the Case for Each School in the Semi-Finals (Big Schools)

With the Minnesota High School Football State Semifinals fast appearing, I wanted to provide an in-depth preview of the remaining teams. I've separated the schools by class, (6A/5A/4A), and done the math regarding their PPG (points per page) and OPPG (opponents points per game). Also included was the path that they've taken to get here, so their games will be ordered from most recent to least recent in the "playoff schedule" section. I've also taken care to highlight some of the stars on each team, as well as given a comprehensive paragraph to why I believe each team has a chance to win that coveted title.   AAAAAA:   Centennial (10-1)   PPG: 33 - OPPG: 13   Playoff Schedule: 24-0 W over Rosemount (6-5), 26-23 W over Prior Lake (5-5), 61-6 W over Burnsville (2-7)   Stars: QB [player_tooltip player_id='105383' first='Daylen' last='Cummings'] (2024), RB [player_tooltip player_id='1145327' first='Maverick' last='Harper'] (2024), WR [player_tooltip player_id='242424' first='Ty' last='Burgoon'] (2024), LB [player_tooltip player_id='105389' first='Timmy' last='Ball'] (2024), DE [player_tooltip player_id='704473' first='Marcus' last='Whiting'] (2024), DT Melvin Wallace (2024), LB Owen Ringen (2024)   The Case:   Fresh off of a shutout victory and on an 8-game win streak, slowing down the Cougar's momentum appears impossible. They have big-play potential and can break a run loose at any moment. They've been in dogfights and have come out ahead consistently. This team's got two things, grit and determination, and they refuse to back down to physical teams run-heavy teams like Lakeville South. With a stout and imposing defense, don't be surprised if a high-powered offense slows down against the Cougars. Combine that with a talented senior-heavy team and you're looking at an intense state run.   Lakeville South (10-1)   PPG: 37 - OPPG: 16   Playoff Schedule: 35-34 W over East Ridge (4-7), 30-13 W over Shakopee (6-4), 56-0 W over Roseville (1-8)   Stars: QB [player_tooltip player_id='362278' first='Gaven' last='Dean'] (2025), RB [player_tooltip player_id='234775' first='Connor' last='Cade'] (2025), RB [player_tooltip player_id='945336' first='Jonah' last='Shine'] (2025), DB [player_tooltip player_id='429419' first='Bo' last='Bokman'] (2025), LB [player_tooltip player_id='348688' first='Isaac' last='Cin'] (2024), LB [player_tooltip player_id='1146308' first='Joe' last='Hager'] (2024)   The Case:   Riding a 5 game win streak and some serious momentum following their quarterfinal barn burner against East Ridge, Lakeville South has cemented itself as a perennial powerhouse. With a deep run game and a stifling defense, it'll be very tough to overcome this Cougar team. The depth they have at running back is crazy and that defense is among the best in the state. They've beaten strong running teams previously like Shakopee and have experience with Centennial's scheme. While they may be a younger team offensively, that defense is loaded with senior talent who has been to the state semis before.   Eden Prairie (11-0)   PPG: 37 - OPPG: 13   Playoff Schedule: 21-3 W over Lakeville North (9-2), 42-14 W over Eagan (4-6), 41-12 W over Osseo (0-9)   Stars: QB David Ivey (2024), RB Liam Berndt (2024), RB Jeremy Fredericks (2025), RB [player_tooltip player_id='641134' first='Elijah' last='Rumph'] (2025), OL [player_tooltip player_id='105391' first='Will' last='Sather'] (2024), DT [player_tooltip player_id='551395' first='Mo' last='Saine'] (2024), DB Vaugn Feely (2025), LB Shaun Peterson (2024)   The Case:   By far the favorite team heading into the state tournament, Eden Prairie appears to be an unstoppable steamroller that crushes anyone in their way. No team has come within two scores of the Eagles, and even that hasn't happened in 5 weeks. They have a dominant run-heavy offense that can consistently put up 40+ points. A deep running back room, a massive and talented offensive line, and an incredibly efficient QB are part of the reason that no one has come close yet. Defensively, they are ironclad. Whenever the most points you let up in a season fall under 30 and only two teams have put up more than 2 scores on you, you're in a great position.   Edina (8-3)   PPG: 33 - OPPG: 19   Playoff Schedule: 49-21 W over Stillwater (8-3), 35-24 W over Maple Grove (7-3), 42-0 W over Farmington (3-6)   Stars: WR [player_tooltip player_id='234833' first='Meyer' last='Swinney'] (2025), WR Sonny Villegas (2024), WR [player_tooltip player_id='819442' first='Trillion' last='Sorrell'] (2025), RB [player_tooltip player_id='1145305' first='John' last='Warpinski'] (2024), QB [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'] (2026), LB [player_tooltip player_id='1255886' first='Evan' last='Gilder'] (2026), LB Kellen Chapuran (2024), S [player_tooltip player_id='1145298' first='Owen' last='Kemper'] (2024), DL [player_tooltip player_id='704476' first='Kade' last='Chrysler'] (2024)   The Case:   It's hard not to root for this Edina team. After starting the season 1-3, they've gone on an epic 7-game win streak which saw them upset a dangerous Maple Grove team and a talented Stillwater. They have a strong and well-balanced offense. A giant QB that can sling with the best of them, and a sharp senior ball-carrier who has no issues pounding the rock. The Hornets boast one of the deepest and most talented WR cores in recent memory. Over the last 5 games, their defense has allowed only an average of 10 PPG. This semis matchup is going to be nuts!   AAAAA:   St. Thomas Academy (9-2)   PPG: 38 - OPPG: 19   Playoff Schedule: 46-28 W over Owatonna (8-3), 43-14 W over Bloomington Jefferson (8-2), 47-14 W over Two Rivers (8-2)   Stars: QB Maximus Simms (2024), RB [player_tooltip player_id='105372' first='Savion' last='Hart'] (2024), WR Luke Dobbs (2024), RB Niko Vargas (2024), RB Ari Tobias (2025), DE [player_tooltip player_id='242375' first='Teddy' last='Knapp'] (2024), LB Cade Caruso (2024), CB [player_tooltip player_id='1581587' first='Finn' last='Benz'] (2025), LB [player_tooltip player_id='1204372' first='Hank' last='Steveken'] (2025), DB Charles Probst (2025)   The Case:   The level of competition that STA has played to get here has been unbelievable. 3 wins against teams that have had 8 wins on the season is crazy to me, and it isn't like they've been scraping by either. They've dominated their last 3 opponents and have seemed to have elevated to a whole other level of play this offseason. With legitimate Divison 1 talent on both sides of the ball, STA is hot and peaking at the right time, a dangerous combination.   Alexandria (11-0)   PPG: 34 - OPPG: 13   Playoff Schedule: 38-14 W over Rogers (9-2), 24-19 W over Brainerd (8-2), 39-0 W over Bemidji (4-6)   Stars: QB [player_tooltip player_id='641133' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] (2025), TE [player_tooltip player_id='945334' first='Mason' last='Gorghuber'] (2025), RB [player_tooltip player_id='551305' first='Andrew' last='Flaten'] (2024), RB Macklen Heydt (2025), LB Braden Staples (2024), S Evan Moore (2024), DE [player_tooltip player_id='551427' first='Sawyer' last='Rumohr'] (2024)   The Case:   One of the surprise teams of the 2023 season, the Cardinal's resume this season speaks for itself. A win over a stud Rogers team, 2 wins over Brainerd, as well two wins over section finals contenders, Elk River and Monticello. The immediate comparison one draws is to Edina. Similar schemes, two giant QBs, talented ball carriers to help draw defenders in, and a great defense. Alex has been a hotbed of recruiting talent recently this year is no different. It'll take a lot to stop this hype train.   Chanhassen (11-0)   PPG: 35 - OPPG: 18   Playoff Schedule: 28-22 W over Mahtomedi (6-5), 37-36 W over Mankato West (8-2), 36-6 W over Waconia (4-6)   The Stars: RB [player_tooltip player_id='105374' first='Maxwell' last='Woods'] (2024), QB [player_tooltip player_id='242399' first='Brayden' last='Windschitl'] (2024), WR Daxton Bush (2024), LB [player_tooltip player_id='105369' first='Sam' last='Macy'] (2024), DB Logan Smith (2026), LB Carter (Boom) Carstens (2025), LB Sam Strand (2024), LB Tyler Burton (2024)   The Case:   Everyone thought Chan would be good this year, I just don't think anyone expected them to be this good. What they have is incredibly intangible, but necessary all in the same. They are just clutch. Whenever a big moment approaches, the team rises to the occasion. Their offense can consistently put up 35, or more when needed, but it's their versatile defense that has found a way to stifle many different kinds of powerful offenses that impresses me. We saw their defense have a short stretch of shutouts earlier in the year, let's see if they can contain a lethal Huskies offense.   Andover (10-1)   PPG: 48 - OPPG: 23   Playoff Schedule: 37-20 W over Robbinsdale Armstrong (8-3), 65-32 W over Elk River (4-7), 84-28 W over Cambridge-Isanti (4-6)   Stars: QB [player_tooltip player_id='652799' first='Chase' last='Pemberton'] (2024), RB DMario Davenport (2024), WR [player_tooltip player_id='752525' first='Cameron' last='Begalle'] (2025), WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='470809' first='Luke' last='Dehnicke'] (2024), DB Obe Efaye (2024), LB [player_tooltip player_id='945922' first='Kaleb' last='Weikel'] (2025), LB Luke Beck (2024), DL Bailey Taylor (2024)   The Case:   Is it crazy to say that a team is better than their record if they're 10-1? I don't think so. Andover has without a doubt the best offense in the entire state. Speed and efficiency are the name of the game and they will slice and dice you across the field. They're well-coached and absolute sharks on the field. When they smell blood in the water, they swarm. A pair of relentless victories over teams in their section tournament is proof enough of that. Any game with Andover in it is bound to be a crazy interesting and high-scoring affair and I recommend that you watch.   AAAA:   Byron (10-1)   PPG: 36 - OPPG: 10   Playoff Schedule: 31-28 W over Hill-Murray (8-3), 17-14 W over Kasson-Mantorville (8-2), 21-17 W over Winona (3-6)   Stars: RB [player_tooltip player_id='139178' first='Adam' last='Glynn'] (2024), WR/LB [player_tooltip player_id='242382' first='Tyler' last='Connelly'] (2024), DE [player_tooltip player_id='723797' first='Zach' last='Vanderpool'] (2024), OL [player_tooltip player_id='242448' first='Payton' last='Jax'] (2024), QB [player_tooltip player_id='246031' first='Kale' last='Robinson'] (2024), WR/S [player_tooltip player_id='583648' first='Jackson' last='Schnell'] (2024), OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='831981' first='Colin' last='Hansen'] (2025)   The Case:   Byron has beaten not one but two state tournament teams this season. They've avenged their only loss to Kasson-Mantorville in the playoffs and they had two separate games this year where they've dropped 60+ points. They've proven they can hang with the best and have one of if not the best offensive lines in their class. For some reason, Byron Minnesota produces giant workhorses, and this team is no exception. They're physical up front and will come out swinging, and that attitude can scare a lot of teams away.   Rocori (9-2)   PPG: 22 - OPPG: 14   Playoff Schedule: 28-27 W over Orono (9-2), 30-21 W over Becker (9-1), 30-28 W over Detroit Lakes (7-2)   Stars: QB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='242378' first='Will' last='Steil'] (2024), WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='392533' first='Grant' last='Tylutki'] (2025), RB Anthony Rodriguez (2025), RB Dylan Thompson (2025), OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='706018' first='Grady' last='Minnerath'] (2024), LB [player_tooltip player_id='743236' first='Aaron' last='Baisley'] (2025), DL Kaden Rausch (2024)   The Case:   Another AAAA school that avenged their only two losses, Rocori has the best "hit list" of anyone in the state this season. This includes Orono 2x, Hutchinson 1x, Detroit Lakes 1x, Becker 1x, BSM 1x, Minneapolis North 1x, and Holy Angels 1x. That means that everyone they beat spare 1 team, was either in the section finals, went to state, or found themselves ranked in the top 10 at some point this season. Rocori can hang with the best teams and they only seem to be rising to the occasion.   Hutchinson (9-2)   PPG: 34 - OPPG: 10   Playoff Schedule: 44-12 W over Totino-Grace (7-4), 30-14 W over Marshall (7-3), 52-14 W over New Ulm (6-4)   Stars: QB [player_tooltip player_id='348683' first='Logan' last='Butler'] (2024), RB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='348782' first='Charlie' last='Renner'] (2024), WR/RB [player_tooltip player_id='1204346' first='Nathan' last='Thode'] (2025), RB Carter Verhasselt (2024), ILB Davontay Parker (2025), MLB Parker Peterson (2024), OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='242403' first='Anton' last='Kadlec'] (2024)   The Case:   Hutchinson is known as THE AAAA powerhouse. Constantly in the later rounds of the state tournament, they've been to the state championship for the last 2 years. They've been there before and they know how to perform under that pressure. They've only lost twice by a combined 12 points and that defense hasn't allowed over 2 scores for 5 weeks. They're physical up front and will run the ball down your throat for the whole game. Good coaching, great talent, and experience? It's tough to beat that.   North Branch (10-1)   PPG: 37 - OPPG: 20   Playoff Schedule: 38-27 W over BSM (5-7), 28-21 W over Hermantown (7-4), 28-0 W over Grand Rapids (5-5)   The Case:   Except for a week 1 loss, North Branch has looked phenomenal. They do a nice job of consistently putting up at least 4 TDs a game. The most points they've been held to is 28. They have 2 50+ point games this season and defensively they've only let up 4+ score games 3 times. They run a T and control the time of possession well. Having experience stopping Hutchinon's offense, an offense that typically puzzles defenses, should lend the Vikings a serious advantage.

With the Minnesota High School Football State Semifinals fast appearing, I wanted to provide an in-depth preview of the remaining teams. I've separated the schools by class, (6A/5A/4A), and done the math regarding their PPG (points per page) and OPPG (opponents points per game). Also included was the path that they've taken to get here, so their games will be ordered from most recent to least recent in the "playoff schedule" section. I've also taken care to highlight some of the stars on each team, as well as given a comprehensive paragraph to why I believe each team has a chance to win that coveted title.