Minnesota Week 7 Recap, Top Performers, MEA Week 8 Preview

Short week in Minnesota no doubt means it's MEA Break, which means PrepRedzoneMN has to get the recaps, top performers, and previews out for release early! In our Week 7 Recap, we check out the upsets, hair-raising finishes, dominant showings & statement wins, and game of the year contenders, as well as the top individual performances from Minnesota's Week 7. Make sure you check out a preview of the biggest and best games from Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as well. Bye bye, regular season!   --   Top Team Results, Scores, New   Thursday:   Aitkin 27, International Falls 20   Then 3-3 Aitkin knocked International Falls down to 5-2 with an upset in the Section 7AA ranks. No box score available, but I'm sure senior [player_tooltip player_id='945919' first='Jacob' last='Williams'] - a 5'11, 220 lber. who is also a state wrestling placer - had a hand in Aitkin's win here. International Falls' offense has been dynamic so far this season, led by QB Hayden Swenson and RB [player_tooltip player_id='1363926' first='Cooper' last='Crandall'], the latter of whom had 21 tackles in the loss. Still, Aitkin must have ground out the narrow, thrilling victory in gritty fashion. Wish we could have had someone here.   Rush City 24, Moose Lake-Willow River 22   No box score here either, but Rush City is having a fantastic 2024 and sit at 7-0 after a nail-biting, last-second win over perennial AA contender MLWR. According to the Rebels' Twitter account, Rush City tied the ball game with a 25-yard TD reception with a second remaining, then converted the 2pt to take the 24 to 22 win with no time on the clock, so you can imagine the post-game atmosphere in Pine County on Thursday after the clock hit zero. Class AA is a really fun one this fall.   <a href="https://twitter.com/MLWRRebelsFball/status/1844569485098750222">https://twitter.com/MLWRRebelsFball/status/1844569485098750222</a>   Mountain Iron-Buhl 62, Cherry 6   Statement win here by the Rangers in a Top 10 9Man showdown. Dominant showing on offense in particular. Mountain Iron-Buhl's Micaden Clines went 12-17 for 202 and 4 TDs, as well as a forced fumble on defense, and Derik Dahl rushed for 2 TDs in the win. MiB scored 16 in the 1st, 16 in the 2nd, and 30 in the 4th. Hard not to think this team is built for a deep playoff run.   Friday:   Triton 21, Caledonia 20   We made sure to highlight this game as one of the best of the weekend, and it seems like the AA showdown lived up to the hype. Triton came into the matchup 4-2, but with the exceptional athlete that is [player_tooltip player_id='1255902' first='Pierce' last='Petersohn'] at the helm, the Cobras can never be counted out. Perennial heavyweight Caledonia, led by Gophers LB commit [player_tooltip player_id='1202012' first='Ethan' last='Stendel'], have more than enough of their firepower, and this contest went into halftime tied 14-14. No score in the 3rd, and Petersohn's second rushing TD of the evening got Triton up 21-14 in the 4th. Looks like Caledonia scored late, then elected to go for 2, but Stendel was held out of the endzone in what seemed like the last play of the ball game. This one sounded electric! Both teams should be making noise come November.   Totino-Grace 11, Orono 8   Full game recap available below, but this was a 4A defensive slugfest that ended with yet another hair-raising finish from the weekend. TG, who had yet to score a TD, used a beautiful offensive drive capped by a RB pass in the red zone, and then held off a furious Orono comeback attempt with less than 45 seconds remaining to stay undefeated and on the fast track for a 4A playoff run soon.   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/orono-totino-grace-game-recap-top-performers/">https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/orono-totino-grace-game-recap-top-performers/</a>   Moorhead 36, Alexandria 34   The game of the year in 2024, 5A #1 vs. #2 absolutely lived up to the hype. Thanks to the infusion of sophomore and senior talent on the Spuds 2024 roster, Moorhead was able to squeak out a win in thrilling fashion. Moorhead and Alex traded TDs through 3 quarters, with the 3rd ending 28-27 in favor of the away team, but a TD pass from sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='Jett' last='Feeney'] to senior [player_tooltip player_id='1207418' first='Reign' last='Battle'], and then a 2pt conversion throw from Feeney to sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack'] put the Spuds up 36-27 in the 4th. They then refuted an Alexandria Area comeback after the Cards made it 36-34 late in the final quarter of the ball game. Feeney went 25/38 for 340 yards and 4 TDs to 1 INT, [player_tooltip player_id='1207418' first='Reign' last='Battle'] caught 9 passes for 141 and 2 TDs, and [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack'] added 9 catches for 126 yards and 2 TDs himself. Awesome to see this one live up to expectations.   Forest Lake 7, Eagan 0   Didn't expect to see 6A upstart Eagan go down last week, but if we've learned anything from the 2024 season, it's that we don't know much about Class 6A this fall. Everybody is beating everybody, and Forest Lake proved they should be getting talked about more in taking down the Wildcats 7-0. Sadly, an inadvertent, accidental whistle from an official negated an Eagan TD, but football is filled with unexpectedness and human error, so what can you do? Big win for the Rangers.   Kimball 28, Eden Valley-Watkins 20   Class 2A #3 goes down to undefeated and #9 ranked Kimball Area! No box score here, and I can't find any info on what happened, but nothing beats an upset!   East Ridge 41, Lakeville North 17   Down goes the 6A #1! And this one wasn't close. After feeling each other out in the 1st, East Ridge let it rip in the 2nd, scoring on the ground and through the air, in addition to a [player_tooltip player_id='348787' first='Luke' last='Ryerse'] MONSTER 56-yard FG to go up 17-10 at half. Whatever the Raptors' coaches told their boys at halftime worked, as East Ridge scored twice in the 3rd and twice in the 4th, to put then #1 North in the losing column on Friday night. What a showing by East Ridge! Wyoming TE commit [player_tooltip player_id='743275' first='Kyle' last='Frendt'] caught 5 passes for 51 yards and a TD, and both of East Ridge's RBs scored, with [player_tooltip player_id='1602754' first='Cedric' last='Tomes'] going 15 for 38 and 2 TDs and [player_tooltip player_id='348718' first='Vincent' last='Hurley'] rushing 13 times for 33 yards and a TD. For the Panthers, 2025 breakout star [player_tooltip player_id='348783' first='Sam' last='Ripplinger'] rushed 28 times for 170 yards and 2 TDs. This really shakes things up going into Week 8!   Other Notable Scores:   Detroit Lakes 21, Little Falls 20   Edina 19, Stillwater 16   Champlin Park 29, Centennial 20   Owatonna 32, Rochester John Marshall 22   Hancock 32, Hillcrest Lutheran 28   Mound Westonka 15, Zimmerman 13   Benilde-St. Margaret's 14, Delano 13   Mankato West 28, Mankato East 7 - West has now beaten East 19 consecutive times   Lewiston-Altura 19, Rushford Peterson 18   Shakopee 30, Rosemount 9 - Shako was down at 9-7 half   Clearbrook-Gonvick 20, Park Christian 14   Sartell-St. Stephen 34, St. Cloud Tech 14 - first win for Sartell-St. Stephen in their last 17 games   Top Individual Performances   Week 7 MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']' last='Feeney'] (Moorhead) 2027. QB. 6'1, 185 lbs. - In the biggest game of the 2024 season (so far), sophomore sensation Feeney led the Spuds to a win over #1 Alexandria, going 25-38 (65%) for 340 yards and 4 TDs. What a day and what a season for Feeney   Top 10 Performances of Week 6   1) [player_tooltip player_id='348787' first='Luke' last='Ryerse'] (East Ridge) 2025. K/P. 6'1, 215 lbs. - Golden Gophers baseball & football commit Ryerse etched his name in the history books on Friday, booting a 56-yard FG in the win over Lakeville North. The field goal was the second-longest in Minnesota prep football history, and to sweeten the pot, he took over second place from his older brother. He also added a 29-yard FG and 5 successful PATs on 5 attempts. East Ridge beat then #1 Lakeville North 41-17   2) [player_tooltip player_id='212361' first='Jabari' last='Strader'] (Edina) 2026. WR. 6'1, 185 lbs. - One of the best WRs in Minnesota's 2026 class, Strader recorded 6 catches for 154 yards (25.6 YPC) and 3 TDs, including the go-ahead game-winner, in Edina's 19-16 win over Stillwater   3) [player_tooltip player_id='1120541' first='Izaac' last='Vanek'] (Brainerd) 2025. WR. 6, 195 lbs. - Vanek caught 4 passes for 136 yards and 2 TDs (34 YPC) in Brainerd's tight loss to Bemidji   4) [player_tooltip player_id='1633392' first='Anthony' last='Taylor'] (Litchfield) 2027. RB. - A big-time stock riser from the 2027 season, Taylor rushed 31 times for 221 yards and 3 TDs in Litchfield's win over Glencoe-Silver Lake   5) [player_tooltip player_id='1248642' first='Kobee' last='Thielen'] (Dassel-Cokato) 2025. ATH. 5'11, 175 lbs. - In the 55-14 win over Watertown-Mayer, Thielen popped off for 25 carries, 316 rushing yards, and 4 TDs in the win   6) [player_tooltip player_id='945346' first='Cam' last='Hungerholt'] (LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli) 2025. QB/ATH. - MSU-Mankato commit Hungerholt had yet another eye-popping personal stat line in the Cardinals Week 7 47-14 victory. Hungerholt rushed 6 times for 297 yards (49.5) and 4 TDs, and completed 6 passes on 8 attempts (75%) for 154 yards and a TD. Additionally, Hungerholt tallied 9 tackles, a TFL, and half a sack as well   7) [player_tooltip player_id='1248652' first='Rajon' last='Gamble'] (Duluth Denfeld) 2025. OL/DL. 6'2, 300 lbs. - In a high-scoring loss to Rock Ridge, Gamble posted 14 tackles from his iDL spot while facing doubles and constant attention all night. Gamble also reported 8 pancake blocks as an OG   8) Jeremy Fredericks (Eden Prairie) 2025. RB. 5'10, 215 lbs. - A pickup truck of a RB, Fredericks tallied 211 all-purpose yards and 5 TDs in Eden Prairie's win over Rochester Mayo   9) [player_tooltip player_id='234900' first='Brady' last='Kittelson'] (Blooming Prairie) 2025. ATH. 6'2, 185 lbs. - Sioux Falls commit Kittelson popped off for 4 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs in the Awesome Blossoms' 48-13 win over Winona Cotter   10) Aiden Jones (Pierz) 2025. RB/DB. - In the Pioneers 67-34 shootout victory over Montevideo, Jones scored a rushing TD, receiving TD, and an interception he returned for six as well   Honorable Mentions:   [player_tooltip player_id='969431' first='Christian' last='Hooge'] (Pillager) 2025. 6'5, 210 lbs. QB/S. - One of the top unsigned seniors in the state, Hooge rushed for two TDs, threw for two TDs, and recorded more than 100 yards of total offense as Pillager beat Parkers Prairie. Hooge also picked off a pass on defense   [player_tooltip player_id='348752' first='Anthony' last='Martin'] (East Ridge) 2025 DB. 5'11, 175 lbs. - In one of the biggest upsets of the season, Martin showed up for his East Ridge Raptors as they took down Lakeville North in big-time fashion. Martin posted 7 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 3 fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a TD   [player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last=''] Olson (Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg) 2025. RB/LB. 5'10, 180 lbs. - Southwest Minnesota State commit Olson rushed 18 times for 200 yards and 3 TDs against Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, adding 5 tackles and a TFL on the defensive side of the ball. KMS won 41-0   Ethan Ryan (Holy Family) 2027. QB. 6'2, 185 lbs. - Sophomore gunslinger Ryan completed 10 passes on 15 attempts (66%) for 188 yards and 4 TDs as Holy Family beat up on Concordia Academy   Anthony Starks (Delasalle) 2025. QB/ATH. - Starks has been playing like a mad man as a senior, going 11-19 (57%) for 209 yards and 3 TDs, and added 6 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and a PBU in the Islanders' loss to Simley High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1204380' first='Ryder' last='Stern'] (LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli) 2025. LB/DE/TE. 6'1, 200 lbs. - Another Cardinal senior with a monster individual effort this past weekend, uncommitted standout Stern totaled 16 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and a reception that he took for 80 yards and a TD   Sam Howard (Kingsland) 2025. LB/TE. 6'3, 215 lbs. - Uncommitted senior standout Howard did his part in the Knights' 41-14 win over Red Rock Central, recording 14 tackles, 2 sacks, and interception returned for a TD, and 2 receptions for 50 yards and a TD   [player_tooltip player_id='1292281' first='Martin' last='Sleen'] (Hermantown) 2027. 5'11, 150 lbs. - Sophomore standout Sleen totaled 14 carries for 157 yards and 3 TDs in Hermantown's win over Esko   [player_tooltip player_id='1112510' first='Kaden' last='Herman'] (Waconia) 2025. QB. 6'3, 205 lbs. - Herman completed 19 passes on 21 attempts (90%) for 276 yards and 2 TDs, as well as a TD on the ground, in Waconia's win 38-7 win over New Prague   [player_tooltip player_id='1120521' first='Carsyn' last='Kleffman'] (Elk River) 2027. RB/DB. 5'10, 170 lbs. - Another sophomore sensation, Kleffman rushed 8 times for 128 yards and 3 TDs (16 YPC) in Elk River's win over Cambridge-Isanti   Luke Eastman (Stewartville) 2025. DB. 5'10, 160 lbs.- Senior DB Eastman posted two pick-sixes in AAA #1 Stewie's 71-0 win over Red Wing   Jack Lundberg (Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa) 2025. RB. - Lundberg rushed 5 times for 154 yards and 3 TDs in BBE's 54-7 win over Long Prairie-Grey Eagle   [player_tooltip player_id='945927' first='Brayson' last='Boike'] (Dawson-Boyd) 2025. WR. 6'7, 205 lbs. - SMSU basketball commit Boike had another big night through the air, catching six passes for 192 yards and 3 TDs in the Blackjacks win over MACRAY   [player_tooltip player_id='485214' first='Peyton' last='Podany'] (Anoka) 2025. QB. 6'3, 180 lbs. - Senior standout Podany went 18-27 for 330 yards and 4 TDs in Anoka's win over Osseo   Week 7 Preview   Tuesday   Six Games:   Win-E-Mac @ Kittson County Central   Murray County Central @ Wabasso   Warren-Alvarado-Oslo @ Badger/Greenbush-Middle River   Park Christian @ Stephen-Argyle Central   Goodridge/Grygla-Gatzke @ Northern Freeze   Long Prairie-Grey Eagle @ Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City   Wednesday   153 games total. Best Games:   Hermantown (6-1) @ Duluth Denfeld (5-2)   Two high scoring offensive attacks, plenty of splash play ability at the skill positions, and serious Section 7AAAA implication son the line.   International Falls (5-2) @ Rush City (7-0)   Rush City is ROLLING, but have yet another tough test in Internationalls Falls. The Broncos are coming off a one-score loss and upset to Aitkin, so they're going to be looking to bounce back with some authority. Should be a fun one up North.   Otter Tail Central (5-2) @ Hancock (7-0)   Don't know a lot about Otter Tail Central, but 5-2 is legit. However, they're going to have to try and contain the Mack Truck of a RB that is NDSU DL commit [player_tooltip player_id='1204066' first='Chase' last='Evink'], the biggest RB in the state at 6'5, 240ish.   Robbinsdale Armstrong (7-0) @ Andover (6-1)   Top 10, potentially Top 5 Class 5A showdown here. Plenty of star power here, as well as one of the best rushing attacks in the state coming from the Falcons and one of the better passing attacks in MN in Andover. Both teams are going to want to end their regular season emphatically.   Pine Island (6-1) @ Caledonia (5-2)   [player_tooltip player_id='641136' first='Blake' last='Schiltz'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1202012' first='Ethan' last='Stendel'] is enough to get you in the door, but this is also a AAA vs. AA battle as 6-1 Pine Island will face AA perennial heavyweight Caledonia. Both teams have only lost to good teams, so this has the makings of a high-quality, physical small school contest.   Holdingford (6-1) @ Eden Valley-Watkins (6-1)   EVW is going to be trying to bounce back from their first loss of the season in Week 7, but have a Top 10 AA competitor coming in hot in 6-1 Holdingford. Could be a turning point for both squads 2024 season.   Alexandria (6-1) @ Elk River (6-1)   Another big-time 5A matchup, Alex is going to want to reassert themselves in the Class 5A conversation, while Elk River is looking to make some noise at the top with a potential upset of heavyweight Alexandria. Tons of talent going to be on the field for this one.   Dawson-Boyd (6-1) @ Minneota (7-0)   The biggest test for Minneota so far, Dawson-Boyd has some real-deal athleticism on its 2024 roster, as well as one of the biggest matchup nightmares in the entire state in 6'7 WR and Southwest Minnesota State basketball commit [player_tooltip player_id='945927' first='Brayson' last='Boike']. Minneota is going to try and run that rock, so we'll see how this difference in playstyles manifests.   Dassel-Cokato (7-0) @ Princeton (7-0)   Really like the makings of this one. Top 2 AAA DC vs. Top 5 AAAA Princeton. Both teams are playing fantastic football and could create some serious momentum going into sections with a win here.   Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta (7-0) @ Fergus Falls (6-0)   Pequot Lakes (7-0) @ Grand Rapids (5-2)   Pipestone Area (6-1) @ Jackson County Central (7-0)   Fairmont (6-1) @ Waseca (6-1)   Rocori (5-2) @ Orono (6-1)   Thursday   14 games total:   Shakopee @ Blaine @ 12PM   Lakeville North @ Burnsville @12PM   Eastview @ Eagan @ 12PM   White Bear Lake @ Osseo @ 12PM   Champlin Park @ Lakeville South @ 1PM   Maple Grove @ Minnetonka @ 1PM   The #1 matchup of the weekend, Maple Grove and Minnetonka are two of the top 3 6A squads in the state and are looking to finish their regular season off in momentum-building fashion. Two well-coached, physical, talented Big School squads playing some great football in 2024? This has the makings to be one of the best regular season games of the year!   St. Michael-Albertville @ Mounds View @ 1PM   Buffalo @ Prior Lake @ 1PM   Woodbury @ Eden Prairie @6PM   Rochester Mayo @ East Ridge @ 6PM   Farmington @ Coon Rapids @ 7PM   Centennial @ Rosemount @ 7PM   Forest Lake @ Roseville @ 7PM   Park of Cottage Grove @ Stillwater @ 7PM

Short week in Minnesota no doubt means it's MEA Break, which means PrepRedzoneMN has to get the recaps, top performers, and previews out for release early! In our Week 7 Recap, we check out the upsets, hair-raising finishes, dominant showings & statement wins, and game of the year contenders, as well as the top individual performances from Minnesota's Week 7. Make sure you check out a preview of the biggest and best games from Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as well. Bye bye, regular season!