MPLS North vs. Academy of Holy Angles: Recap and Top Performers

Football is finally back in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and PrepRedzoneMN had a busy Thursday/Friday collecting as much information as possible from Week 1, as well as, of course, watching games live. On Friday, after watching some 6A ball the night before, I stayed close to home and went over north to watch the Minneapolis North Polars take on the Academy of Holy Angels. Props to the Polars, who took on a non-conference opponent a classification above them, and the 3A vs. 4A matchup proved to be an electric start to both teams 2024 season. Holy Angels, filled with large, well-built, and physical two-way players and led by Villanova commit and 6'3, 225 lb. QB/RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1191511' first='Damian' last='Devine'], as well as the monstrous 2026 6'6, 230 lb. LT [player_tooltip player_id='402072' first='Dalton' last='DeBoer'], took on a smaller, yet athletic, speedy, and physical Polars side, which used big plays, team defense, high-energy, and some new faces stepping into playmaking roles to keep the game ultra-tight and competitive down to the last second. Check out the Recap and Top Performers below!   --   Game Recap   Things got off to a shaky start for the Polars, who went 3-and-out to start the game and then relented an impressive, bruising, beatdown of a nearly double-digit play drive by the Stars, who pounded the ball down the field with a combination of 225 lb. bulldozer [player_tooltip player_id='1191511' first='Damian' last='Devine'] and a companion of tailbacks. Devine capped the drive with a short-yardage TD to go up 7-0 with 5:50 left in the first, and it looked like North may be in for a long night, which couldn't have been more wrong. The Polars bounced back by going to the air and finding success in space, as 2026 WR Anthony Deline moved the chains on 3rd down with a big catch, setting up the [player_tooltip player_id='1255132' first='Jay' last='Sanders'] show. The best prospect on the Polars, 2026 WR Sanders took over the drive, using an end-around for a big gain, a deep fade that he beautifully tracked to the sideline for 30+ yards, and finally, a well-excited slant that he reeled in through tight, contested coverage for six. With 1:49 left in the first, we were knotted up at 7-7. However, this was the last time we'd see Sanders, who stayed out the rest of the game after his hamstring tightened up. Sadly, that missed playmaking ability could have proved the difference maker for the Polars down the stretch. No matter, the Polars kept the momentum as 2027 OLB Evan LaScala forced a missed throw that was picked off by Stephan Jackson to help North capture the ball in great territory, but they fumbled the snap in the ensuing series and AHA took back over, driving deep down the field as the first quarter expired, still 7-7.   Devine, as well as the Stars' [player_tooltip player_id='1208064' first='Emmett' last='Anderson'], who had a great game in his own right, led Holy Angles on another physical drive built on the run game, and pound paydirt with 11:57 in the 2nd to go up 14-7. The two squads then traded punts, setting Minneapolis North back up with the rock after an exciting punt return by 2026 ATH Cordae Williams. The Polars started to tap into their own running game, as 5'9, 190 lber. Jackson used back-to-back aggressive runs, churning out big chunks of yarage and breaking tackles to get his offense inside the red zone of the Stars, where the impressive 6', 195 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='743266' first='Jajuan' last='Bobmanuel'] scored his first TD of the night. More on him later, and with 5:25 left in the half, the score stood at 14-13 Stars after a failed PAT by the Polars. AHA was knocking right at the door of the endzone as the half expired, using another physical play series to pound their way down the field and convert 3rd and even 4th down attempts, but the Polars scratched and clawed and forced a turnover on downs inside their own 10, aided by beautiful coverage and an ensuing PBU by the aforementioned Williams on 4th down. North nearly scored on the final drive of the half as well, using three big catches by 2026 6', 195 lb. WR [player_tooltip player_id='1602750' first='Jeremiah' last='Jackson'] to cross into Stars territory, but a 35ish yard FG was missed to end the half. 14-13 Stars!   Holy Angels started the 2nd half with the rock, but didn't hold onto it for long, as 2026 Polars DB Ronell Willis intercepted a pass for North's second INT of the night, and the home crowd was rocking as the Polars stormed down the field in hopes of taking this nonconference game over. However, in heartbreaking fashion, the Polars threw a bad INT at the Stars' 1-yard line that 2026 Stars' DB [player_tooltip player_id='1120537' first='Gavin' last='Coughlin'] ran 99 yards to the house for a massive switch in momentum, and a tricky double pass on the following PAT by AHA put the Stars up 22-13 with 8:10 left in the 3rd. The two teams then traded possessions again, and at this point, the wear & tear, number of carries, and physical play and hard-hitting style of defense by the Polars was noticeable in Devine's body language. The Villanova commit is as tough as they come, and he took a massive amount of carries and contact to open his senior season, and he took a massive hit near the end of the 3rd quarter that jolted the ball loose and was recovered by North deep in the Stars' territory. This set up the [player_tooltip player_id='743266' first='Jajuan' last='Bobmanuel'] show, who proceeded to take over the rest of the game, and he scored on a smooth TD run with 2:04 left in the 3rd to put the Polars behind 22-19, setting up what was a heckuva 4th quarter.   After yet another butt-whooping of an offensive series by AHA, capped by a 4th and 2 conversion by Devine and a TD run by the stout 2026er Anderson for the Stars, AHA seemed to be in control up 28-19 with 7:15 left in the game. However, North answered with a beautiful 60-yard bomb from 2026 Polars QB [player_tooltip player_id='1612765' first='Logan' last='Lachermeier'] to Williams with 6:06 left, and at 28-25 after yet another PAT failure by North, the crowd was once again fully back into the game. At this point, the Stars were looking beat up, as their number of two-way contributors was beginning to show, but they still managed to convert a 4th and 2 at the North 22 with 1:40 left, seeing Devine crack through the Polars second-level for yet another TD run to go up 34-25 with 1:35 left. However, North still continued to fight, driving quickly down the field on big run-and-catch showing by their receiver corps, and Bobmanuel scored his third TD of the night to bring North back to within 3 as time expired. What a game and what a showing by both squads! Both teams should be proud.   Final: Holy Angels 34, Minneapolis North 31   Top Performers   Holy Angels   [player_tooltip player_id='1191511' first='Damian' last='Devine'] - '25. 6'3, 225 lbs. ATH.   As mentioned, Devine put the Stars on his back and is the heart and soul of their 2024 team, especially on offense. A bruising, balanced, and tough-as-nails ball-carrier, Devine also completed some passes in key moments and did a little bit of everything for AHA last night. He punted, didn't miss a snap at OLB, and had around 30 carries for the Stars rushing attack throughout the night. It was easy to be impressed, as he was a tackle-breaking machine, ate contact like it was a bowl of cheerios, and was disruptive of the defensive side of the ball, especially in the run game. I can't imagine how sore he was this morning. Villanova got a good one!   [player_tooltip player_id='402072' first='Dalton' last='DeBoer'] - '26. 6'6, 320 lbs. LT.   Already an established name as an OL prospect, DeBoer was a monster in the run game last night, drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd and making himself hard to miss throughout the night. At least in the run game, DeBoer looked like a P4 OL last night. I don't remember seeing a kid this big sprinting, blocking, changing direction, and moving mass downfield so often and so impressively in a while, and he consistently was lead blocking for his tailbacks and had the rushing attack built around his monstrous skillset. DeBoer's effort, balance, ability to block and find work in space, and win at the point of attack was very much in the spotlight last night, and this came against a very quick and elusive North defense who did their best to avoid knocking pads with the junior. Loved seeing him padded up and on the gridiron last night.   [player_tooltip player_id='1476059' first='Daniel' last='Devine'] - '26. 6'4, 225 lbs. DE/TE.   A must-add to the 2026 PrepRedzoneMN rankings, the younger Devine is quite the college prospect in his own right, looking larger than his 6'3, 225 lb. brother standing next to each other and passing the eye test with flying colors. He hit a massive growth spurt this summer, and was putting it to good use on the field, particularly from his DE spot. Devine was consistently disruptive in both run and pass situations, showing off an exciting get-off, as well as some bend, quickness, and power in his rushes. He could also tackle in space and was moving mass as a TE on the offensive side of the ball. Two-way contributor, good motor, and physical as well.   Isaiah Bird-Winston - '25. 6'3, 190 lbs. LB/WR/RB.   A new name on my radar and another must-add to the PRzMN rankings, Bird-Winston was an eye-catcher physically, with good length, a filled-in upper & lower body, and two-way dynamic ability. Bird-Winston made some big plays on both sides of the ball, plays with a physical edge, was a strong tackler, and was exciting with the ball in-hand and in space. He's a kid that should get some of his college paid for. NSIC schools hit him up!   [player_tooltip player_id='945921' first='Macalister' last='Nolen'] - '25. 6'4, 250 lbs. OL/DL.   Big #71 was all over the field on Friday night as an offensive and defensive lineman, and I loved his frame and the amount of room he has to continue to fill in. Nolen was a playmaker along the DL, completing some impressive TFLs in the Minneapolis North backfield throughout the night. Good size, tough kid, and got a ton of reps on Friday night.   [player_tooltip player_id='1208064' first='Emmett' last='Anderson'] - '26. RB. 5'10, 185 lbs.   One of the best backs in the state, Anderson put on some weight this offseason and was impressive on both sides of the ball on Thursday. The combination of vision and burst resulted in some explosive, game-breaking runs for Anderson, who shot through and first and second level of the field like he popped out of a cannon, and I liked his ability to absorb and work through tackle attempts at his lower body from hard-charging North defenders. Good start to the season for the Stars' stud tailback.   Minneapolis North   [player_tooltip player_id='743266' first='Jajuan' last='Bobmanuel'] - '25. 6', 195 lbs. RB/LB.   The St. Paul Johnson transfer, who primarily played WR last season for the Govs, took over the game as both a RB and LB last night. Well-built and muscle-bound, Bobmanuel used good vision, contact balance, and a high-effort running style to power his way to three TDs on the ground last night. He was also a thumper who could negate extra gains once he made contact, complete 1v1 tackles in space and in the hole, and broke down ball carriers and opponents with his nonstop physicality on both sides of the ball. Excellent showing for Bobmanuel last night.   [player_tooltip player_id='1255132' first='Jay' last='Sanders'] - '26. 5'8, 165 lbs. WR/S.   It was a huge bummer that Sanders left the contest so early, as he was in the midst of taking over the ball game and adds an explosive and playmaking ability to the North Polars that will be needed throughout the 2024 season. Able to create separation at the top of the route as well as take the top off the defense, Sanders catches everything that comes his way and is also dangerous after the catch and with the ball in-hand. Sanders is also a reliable safety with range and impact ability in coverage, but last night, I loved how he was sticking his head into the action and taking down the massive Devine in 1v1 tackles at the third level of the defense. The kid is fearless. Hope he's back int the thick of the things next week against Rocori.   [player_tooltip player_id='369592' first='Michael' last='Roberts IV'] - '25. 6'4, 180 lbs.   The backbone of the Polars defense, Roberts IV has an excellent frame that could really do some damage if he added some weight and invested himself in a college S&C program. Roberts IV was all over the field, a sideline-to-sideline defender, and had a nonstop motor that could also lay the wood at the contact point. I saw the 180 lber. go all-out into contact to force some devasting results, and he did a good job of reading his keys and sniffing out ball carriers before they could net positive gains. His best football is still in front of him too.   Cordae Williams - '26. DB.   Williams played a massive role in North staying competitive and in the thick of things during their game against AHA, and was all over the field as a defensive back in both run and pass support. Instinctive, not afraid of being on an island or in the spotlight, and technically sound, he was fun to watch and made a ton of key plays throughout the night for his Polars. Good athlete who is positioned for a massive junior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602750' first='Jeremiah' last='Jackson'] - '26. WR. 6', 195 lbs.   Reliable, well-built, technically sound, and wanted the ball in his hands as much as possible, Jackson caught everything that came his way and was great after the catch, showing off contact balance and quickness that helped him break tackles in a variety of different ways. Ran crisp routes, had the AHA DBs on skates and second guessing themselves, and could consistently create separation, I liked his catch radius and soft hands as well. North has a heckuva WR option in the 2026, who is quickly raising his stock as a possible next-great-pass-catcher out of North High School.   Morgan McDonald - '26. DB.   The junior safety wasn't the biggest player on the field, but I was very impressed with his tackling ability and physicality. A fearless tackler, McDonald was the last-line-of-defense against AHA's XL RBs and made some terrific tackles against Devine in 1v1 settings throughout the game. Solid in coverage as well.   Anthony Palmer - '26. 6'3, 280 lbs. OL/DL.   The biggest Polar in the trenches, Palmer is a new name to my radar and asserted himself as one of the better lineman in the state yesterday. Could play two ways, was level-headed yet aggressive, owns some heavy hands, and has the size and strength to handle talented DL in the Land of 10K Lakes, I like how he carried himself, as well as the play style along the LOS against a big-time AHA DL.   [player_tooltip player_id='1201991' first='Anaise' last='Dotson'] - '25. 5'11, 230 lbs. OL/DL.   One of the top returning sack leaders from 2023, Dotson makes his money as a DL, but I came away impressed with his blocking ability yesterday against AHA. Especially in pass pro, Dotson showed off good technique, a balanced anchor, and strength at the point of attack, handling some powerful and XL rushers from the Stars defense and more than holding his own. THe kid is just a good football player, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Football is finally back in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and PrepRedzoneMN had a busy Thursday/Friday collecting as much information as possible from Week 1, as well as, of course, watching games live. On Friday, after watching some 6A ball the night before, I stayed close to home and went over north to watch the Minneapolis North Polars take on the Academy of Holy Angels. Props to the Polars, who took on a non-conference opponent a classification above them, and the 3A vs. 4A matchup proved to be an electric start to both teams 2024 season. Holy Angels, filled with large, well-built, and physical two-way players and led by Villanova commit and 6'3, 225 lb. QB/RB/LB Damian Devine Damian Devine 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Holy Angles | 2025 State MN , as well as the monstrous 2026 6'6, 230 lb. LT Dalton DeBoer Dalton DeBoer 6'6" | 330 lbs | OL Holy Angels | 2026 IA , took on a smaller, yet athletic, speedy, and physical Polars side, which used big plays, team defense, high-energy, and some new faces stepping into playmaking roles to keep the game ultra-tight and competitive down to the last second. Check out the Recap and Top Performers below!