2024 Team Preview: Wayzata Trojans

The Wayzata Trojans are coming off a rough season in 2023, finishing last year 2-7, their first losing record since 2020, and ultimately was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The Trojans' path to revival will be rough, with the losses of several key starters, including QB Cole Heilbrun, TE Jack Simon, and LB Trenton Radloff, all of whom have graduated. The Trojans also play in one of the toughest divisions in the state, the Metro-West division, with the other 5 teams in the division passing through at least the first round of the playoffs, and with Edina emerging in 2023 as a state contender.   The Trojans will certainly have their work cut out for them in 2024, and they may have to pull more than a few tricks up their sleeves to compete with this division. That being said, as the team is switching gears, they still have several talented athletes that will help with the Trojans' uphill battle. Wayzata has something to prove, and they should not be counted out in this division. Here are 7 players from the Wayzata Trojans' football team to look out for in 2024!    [player_tooltip player_id='945911' first='Evan' last='McCarty'] flew under the radar last season as a talented OL prospect, but a spectacular offseason where he was highlighted as a consistent standout in team camps resulted in McCarty signing with South Dakota State toward the end of July. McCarty has played extremely well for the Trojans', and his physicality, balance, and fluid movement has made him an effective cornerstone for the O-line. McCarty consistently wins his matchups and I saw growth in his reads last season. McCarty will be vital toward the development of senior QB Oscar Shoap in 2024.     1st team All-District WR [player_tooltip player_id='551437' first='Tony' last='Ley'] has been the go-to target for the Trojans' passing game, stretching the field to the limits for Wayzata's offense. Ley is a sharp route-runner, and when he gets a bit of separation, Ley will outrun the secondary with ease. Ley shows great control in his footwork and is constantly pumping the arms, showing great development with his technique. He is not afraid to show his physicality, showing strength in run-blocking, and he will run over DBs. Ley has already committed to Minnesota-Duluth after visiting with several D1 and D2 teams over the last year. It will be interesting to see how Ley performs with a new QB, and if they can create a strong rapport, who knows how high the ceiling will be for Ley in 2024.     Landan Reaves emerged out of nowhere last season as one of the most productive pieces for the Trojans' defense. Reaves finished with 30 tackles, and led the team last season in both TFLs (9) and sacks (4). Reaves' plays with great determination and effort that supersedes his smaller size. Reaves shows good instincts on his reads and drives through defenders to get to the ball-carrier. If Reaves can build a bit more weight, Reaves could explode in 2024 as an unstoppable force on the trenches, and he should be on the radar for several D2 and D3 teams moving forward.     [player_tooltip player_id='362302' first='Andrew' last='Stokes'] has been a versatile athlete for the Trojans, fielding kick returns, serving as the team's primary Punter, and saw much more playing time at WR toward the end of the season. Stokes finished the year with 224 yards on 21 catches and a touchdown. Stokes became a lot more confident in his route running as the year went by. His timing and sharp cuts, particularly on deeper routes looked smooth, and he utilized his frame very well against opposing DBs. Stokes has received looks from several D1 and D2 teams already. Stokes should get a lot more playing time next season at WR, and he could emerge as a big-time playmaker on the offense in 2024.     [player_tooltip player_id='1581715' first='Bode' last='Goerger'] has put in the work over the last year as a stellar blocking TE for the Trojans, and after receiving several invites and looks from D1 and D2 teams this offseason, Goerger committed to Minnesota State-Mankato last month. Goerger grew significantly from last season, and his athleticism has been scary, maxing a 405 lb squat and running a 4.76 40 yard time. Goerger serves as one of the leading run-blockers for the Trojans' run game, and he does a very good job at creating big holes for his RBs, showing steady balance and a quick back-step to contain DB-blitzes. I can't wait to see Goerger play for the Mavericks, and I know that he will be once again heavily relied on for opening the run game for Wayzata in 2024.     Bennett Brown emerged as a starting CB for the Trojans in 2023. Brown didn't have much film, but finished with 12 tackles, 2 interceptions, and one pick-six. Brown showed good timing on his picks, solid in run support, and dangerous with the ball in his hands. Brown has also a standout lacrosse athlete and is also working as a referee for USA Lacrosse. Brown has been an effective playmaker on the Trojans' secondary who will get a lot more reps next season as a starter.     On the opposite end of the O-line for Wayzata, Joey Andrada has been holding his own as the blindside blocker for QB Cole Heilbrun. Andrada shows skills in his balance and arm strength, and he defends well against skill moves from pass-rushers trying to get around him. Andrada plays hard to the whistle, and when he gets his hands on a defender, he will not stop blocking until they are flat on their backs. If Andrada can build a bit more mass this season, he could emerge as a premium prospect heading into the offseason that will garner attention from premium schools.

The Wayzata Trojans are coming off a rough season in 2023, finishing last year 2-7, their first losing record since 2020, and ultimately was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The Trojans' path to revival will be rough, with the losses of several key starters, including QB Cole Heilbrun, TE Jack Simon, and LB Trenton Radloff, all of whom have graduated. The Trojans also play in one of the toughest divisions in the state, the Metro-West division, with the other 5 teams in the division passing through at least the first round of the playoffs, and with Edina emerging in 2023 as a state contender.