Minnesota Week 8 Recap, Top Performers, Playoff Round 1 Preview

With 108 games set to kick off this Tuesday, Minnesota's 2024 playoffs are looking to begin with a bang, PrepRedzoneMN is giving our wonderful readers one last look at Week 8's action-packed results, scores, news, and top performers. As it turns out, Week 8 was arguably the most exciting of the entire regular season, filled with overtimes, last-second scores and finishes, upsets, and major multi-class matchups, putting the 2024 playoffs on a tasty, ready-made platter fresh out of the oven for our enjoyment. If you need a one-stop shop for all things Minnesota high school football regular-season finale, look no further!   And make sure you keep hitting that "refresh" button on prepredzone.com this week, we have some exciting content already in the works and ready to hit the front page hot. Enjoy MNF, everyone!   --   Top Team Results, Scores, News   Robbinsdale Armstrong 57, Andover 56   What could be better than a double OT thriller? How about a 5A, Top 5 thriller? Wednesday's Robbinsdale Armstrong vs. Andover electric showdown, along with the Moorhead vs. Alexandria game from a couple of weeks ago, is in contention for Minnesota's 2024 game of the year. Backed by monster games from Armstrong's standout senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='743274' first='Kevon' last='Johnson'] and Andover's stud junior QB Joe Mapson, the two sides traded TDs all four quarters, finished by a 1-yard TD run by Mapson to knot the game back up at 42 with 2:05 left in the fourth, setting up a ridiculously exciting double overtime. The Falcons got the scoring going first, as QB Dawson Franke found 2026 WR/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1489326' first='Eli' last='Kuempel'] on a TD-yard reception, and Franke added the 2pt conversion for good measure. Andover then answered with a Mapson to Brody Jenson pass followed by a 2pt conversion by Wyatt Myers to tie it up 50-50. Mapson then scored another TD run to go up 56-50, but the 2pt was unsuccessful, and Johnson scored his final TD of the ball game the next series for the Falcons offense. Kicker Noah Miller, who also plays OL and DL, then hit the go-ahead, game-winning extra point to give his Falcons the victory. 57-57 Armstrong in a terrific end to the 2024 regular season.   Holy Angels 41, Hutchinson 34   No box score here, but I do know that this result has some major 4A ripples between two darkhorse contenders in a deep and balanced Class 4A playoff space. Holy Angels' 2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1208064' first='Emmett' last='Anderson'] rushed 16 times for 163 yards and 4 TDs in the win, senior LB/RB Isaiah Bird-Winston forced two fumbles, and junior DB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='1120537' first='Gavin' last='Coughlin'] added 2 TDs as well. For Hutch, RBs [player_tooltip player_id='1204346' first='Nathan' last='Thode'] and Jack Maiers both put up nearly 150 yards a piece, and both scored 2 TDs in the loss. Lot of football left for these two 4A contenders.   Chaska 24, St. Thomas Academy 21   Hard to beat a last-second, go-ahead FG to seal a victory, especially if you root for the Chaska Hawks. After a scoreless first, STA exploded for 14 points, using a [player_tooltip player_id='1246747' first='Chase' last='Young'] TD run, as well as a blocked kick that was returned for six by junior Matthew Wagner to go into the half up two scores. However, Chaska scored the only points of the 3rd in a Matthew Welter TD scamper, setting up a ridiculous fourth quarter. Chaska scored 10 points in the final 5 minutes of the game, including the game-winning kick by Quinn Meyer, a 42-yarder that sailed through the uprights as time expired on the exciting 5A showdown. Welter ran 14 times for 151 yards and that lone score, and St. Thomas Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='1270326' first='Ari' last='Tobias'], [player_tooltip player_id='923837' first='Dominic' last='Baez'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1246747' first='Chase' last='Young'] had solid days on the ground.   Wayzata 30, Anoka 28   The north vs. west suburb matchups can be some of my favorites and Wednesday's nail-biter between Wayzata and Anoka was a heckuva way for both squads to end their 2024 regular season. Back and forth for three quarters, the score stood at 30-22 in favor of Wayzata after [player_tooltip player_id='924224' first='Matthew' last='Berkland'] found Minnesota-Duluth WR commit [player_tooltip player_id='551437' first='Tony' last='Ley']. Anoka, led by experienced playmakers in QB [player_tooltip player_id='485214' first='Peyton' last='Podany'], WR/LB [player_tooltip player_id='641223' first='Zach' last='Welch'], and WR [player_tooltip player_id='446976' first='Trey' last='Borchers'], had an explosive scoring drive in the 4th after Podany found Borchers on a 65-yard bomb, but the 2pt was unsuccessful, and neither team found points for the rest of the ball game, as Anoka's final possession ended with a turnover on downs on a failed 4th and 2. Podany went 12-16 for 209 yards and 2 TDs to 1 INT and Welch ran 25 times for 119 yards and 2 scores. Borchers got 5 for 108 and 2 TDs through the air. No stats for Wayzata available, but Berkland passed for two touchdowns and the Trojans scored two more on the ground.   Elk River 44, Alexandria 34   Been a rough two weeks for Alex, who went from a week after week #1 or #2 ranking in the state to two straight losses right before playoffs. It needs to be said that these are two quality losses, both of which have seen your offense put up points, but Wednesday's 44-34 loss to Elk River has to be a bit of a jolt for the Cardinals going into sections. The Elks Power-T rushing attack was humming, with [player_tooltip player_id='1120521' first='Carsyn' last='Kleffman'] opening the scoring for Elk River, [player_tooltip player_id='348733' first='Brecken' last='Keoraj'] adding the next two, and QB [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'] adding two more. Harris also returned a punt for six as the first quarter finished. Alex opened the scoring up though, and Clemson basketball commit [player_tooltip player_id='641133' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] had a good day with his arm as Alex's QB, going 26-37 for 291 yards and 2 TDs, although he did throw an INT. Senior RB Brody Berg added 26 carries for 166 yards and 2 TDs, but the Cardinals couldn't keep up with Elk River's offense and were unable to generate a sack or turnover throughout the game. Elk River is playing some good football going into sections, and I'm curious to see how the 5A race continues to work itself out behind Moorhead.   Rocori 22, Orono 20   Similar to the aforementioned Alexandria Area, Orono came into Week 7 of the regular season undefeated but has now dropped two straight after losing on Wednesday night. This one also came down to a failed 2pt conversion, as Orono came back from a 22-14 deficit after stud RB [player_tooltip player_id='1602718' first='Rory' last='Kvern'] found paydirt with 2:52 left in the 4th, but the 2pt pass from [player_tooltip player_id='1204490' first='Charlie' last='Cordes'] to [player_tooltip player_id='457241' first='George' last='Perkins'] was unsuccessful and Orono was unable to find points again before the game ended. We'll see how both of these teams can bounce back from, or continue to roll, after this finish on Wednesday night.   Waseca 20, Fairmont 19   A back-and-forth battle between two Top 10 3A programs lived up to the hype in Southern Minnesota. I was lucky enough to stream this game and it only got more exciting as the game wore on. Waseca got up in front early 13-0 in a strong first-half push, and Fairmont fought and clawed back in the 2nd half behind a strong day from St. Thomas RB commit [player_tooltip player_id='234777' first='Elijah' last='Johnson'] to score 19 unanswered. However, Waseca scored on a 10-yard TD pass from 2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1653241' first='Kellen' last='Klinger'] to South Dakota State WR commit [player_tooltip player_id='641132' first='Damarius' last='Russell'] to put the Bluejays up 20-19 with around 10 seconds left in the ball game. However, Fairmont drove down the field and attempted a 30-yard FG as the clock ticked down to 0, but it was unsuccessful. Fairmont drops to 6-2 while Waseca sits at 7-1 going into sections.   Crosby-Ironton 22, Hinckley-Finlayson 14   Knotted up at 14-14, Crosby-Ironton's junior QB Keyon Wesner found junior WR Eldon McLean on an 11-yard pitch & catch with 2.2 seconds remaining in the ball game to take the lead and give the Rangers their second straight win of the season.   Maple Grove 31, Minnetonka 21   We got a full write-up of this game live on PRzMN, so go hit that link if you want a detailed breakdown of his heavyweight 6A showdown in Minnetonka. However, I will say that Maple Grove firmly asserted themselves as the #1 seed in Class 6A, clawing back from a 14-0 deficit in the 2nd quarter for a gritty win that saw them force three straight turnovers to end the ball game. Minnetonka was fully in the mix and should not be counted out, as their OL is arguably the best in the state and they have some serious thunder & lightning ability from their skill players, but the Crimson, led by NDSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='586119' first='Dylan' last='Vokal'], who caught three TD passes in the win, are as complete, experienced, and talented as there is in Minnesota. I was fired up I got to see this one live.   Princeton 23, Dassel-Cokato 13   Another big-time Top 3 showdown that PRzMN sent a scout to, make sure you check out [player_tooltip player_id='1292716' first='Nate' last='Wahl']'s recap and top performers for a full breakdown of this game. Princeton, ranked in the Top 3 of Class 4A, and Dassel-Cokato, then undefeated and ranked #2 in Class 3A, went head-to-head for full quarters, but the class difference was too much for the Chargers to overcome. Lots of talent, high-quality coaching, and impressive small-school football on display last Wednesday in Princeton.   Other Notable Scores:   Shakopee 29, Blaine 20   Lakeville South 20, Champlin Park 13   St. Paul Highland Park 17, St. Paul Central 14   Detroit Lakes 14, East Grand Forks 13   Warroad 22, Roseau 20   Cleveland 22, Lester Prairie 20   Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 20, Pierz 18   Providence Academy 14, Kasson-Mantorville 7   Lakeview 20, Lac qui Parle Valley 19   Mahtomedi 21, Spring Lake Park 14   Bertha-Hewitt 24, McGregor 20   Nicollet 34, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 28   Pelican Rapids 15, Park Rapids 12   Robbinsdale Cooper 27, Hastings 20   Minneota 54, Dawson-Boyd 0   Top Individual Performances   Week 8 MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='743274' first='Kevon' last='Johnson'] (Robbinsdale Armstrong) 2025. RB. 34 carries for 309 yards and 5 TDs in the Falcons electric double OT win over Andover. It's Johnson's second game in a row with five rushing TDs as well   Top 10 Performances of Week 8:   1) [player_tooltip player_id='362313' first='Frank' last='McAninch'] (Mankato West) 2025. LB/RB. - North Dakota linebacker commit McAninch tied the Minnesota state record with a 99-yard TD run to put his Scarlets up 17-6 over Rogers, where the game would end up finishing at. Also posted 12 tackes and 2 TFLs on defense   2) Zach Reiland (Kingsland) 2025. RB. - 17 carries for 366 yards and 5 TDs in the Knights 9man victory over Houston 38-28. Also caught a TD pass for good measure!   3) [player_tooltip player_id='1208064' first='Emmett' last='Anderson'] (Holy Angels) 2026. RB. - 16 rushes for 163 yards and 4 TDs in Holy Angels' big win over Hutchinson   4) [player_tooltip player_id='348723' first='John' last='Jeanetta'] (North St. Paul) 2026. WR. - One of the state's receiving leaders, Jeanetta had a big game against St. Cloud Apollo, catching 10 passes for 205 yards and 2 TDs through the air. Also posted three tackles on defense. NSP got the win 40-20   5) Brock Kajewski (Red Wing) 2025. TE. - Caught 6 passes for 251 yards and 2 TDs in Red Wing's shootout loss to Lake City   6) [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']' last='Feeney'] (Moorhead) 2027. QB. - In undefeated Moorhead's Week 8 49-14 victory over Sauk Rapids-Rice, sophomore sensation Feeney went 26-38 (68%) for 435 passing yards and 5 TDs   7) [player_tooltip player_id='1120521' first='Carsyn' last='Kleffman'] (Elk River) 2027. RB/DB. 5'10, 170 lbs. - In Elk River's big win over Alexandria, Kleffman posted 12 rushes for 151 yards and a TD, as well as 9 total tackles, in the win   8) Henry Oscarson (Nicollet) 2026. QB. 5'10, 150 lbs. - In a tight win over Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda, Oscarson went 25-39 (64%) for 300 yards and 2 TDs to 1 INT. He also rushed 11 times for 22 yards and 3 TDs as well   9) [player_tooltip player_id='1292281' first='Martin' last='Sleen'] (Hermantown) 2027. RB. - 25 carries for 261 yards and 3 TDs to put Sleen over 1,000 yards for the season and help clinch the Hawks' 31-19 victory over Duluth Denfeld   10) Mason Boesl (Parkers Prairie) 2025. RB. 5'10, 185 lbs. - Boesl is having a heckuva senior year and added to his exploits on Wednesday, carrying the rock 12 times for 248 yards and 4 TDs in Parkers Prairie's 57-0 win over Pine River-Backus   Honorable Mentions:   Zach Libal (Two Harbors) 2025. RB. - Four TDs before half as Two Harbors beat down Hibbing 59-0   Calvin Nelson (Red Wing) 2026. QB. 6'3, 180 lbs. - 15 for 31 for 472 yards and 4 TDs to 3 INTs, as well as a rushing TD, in Red Wing's 49-39 loss to Lake City   [player_tooltip player_id='282093' first='Keegan' last='Knutson'] (Red Wing) 2025. WR. - Caught 5 passes for 170 yards and 2 TDs in Red Wing's shootout loss to Lake City   [player_tooltip player_id='362301' first='Vinny' last='May'] (Minnetonka) 2025. WR. 5'8, 165 lbs. - Explosive senior May posted 6 catches and 137 yards and a TD in the loss to Maple Grove in Thursday's big-time 6A matchup   [player_tooltip player_id='1255140' first='JaDale' last='Thompson'] (Cretin-Derham Hall) 2026. RB. 5'10, 200 lbs. - Against Irondale High School, Thompson posted another strong day of running on the ground, rushing 19 times for 215 yards and 2 TDs in the 34-7 win   [player_tooltip player_id='641133' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] (Alexandria) 2025. QB. 6'7, 210 lbs. - Clemson basketball commit Thomson went 26-37 (70%) for 291 yards and 2 TDs to 1 INT and also ran in a TD as Alex dropped a tough one to Elk River   [player_tooltip player_id='923855' first='Kyler' last='Thom'] (Minneapolis Southwest) 2026. QB. - 612 product Thom went 17-20 (85%) for 232 yards and 4 TDs, as well as 8 rushes for 73 yards, as the Lakers took down St. Paul Harding/Humboldt 42-0   [player_tooltip player_id='1633417' first='Parker' last='Kuehn'] (Springfield) 2027. QB. 6', 160 lbs. - Springfield has another gunslinger on their hands, and sophomore Kuehn had a big-time showing in a big win over Windom Area, going 23-32 (72%) for 361 yards and 5 TDs to only 1 INT   Vincent Wellik (Stewartville) 2026. QB. - In Stewie's 50-0 win over Rochester Lourdes, Wellik went 12-15 (80%) for 210 yards and 4 TDs to only 1 INT   Owen Lamson (St. Francis) 2025. WR. 6'1, 190 lbs. - In St. Francis' regular season finale against Brainerd, Lamson caught 9 passes for 180 yards and 3 TDs. Lamson is balling out this fall   Derik Dahl (Mountain Iron-Buhl) 2025. RB/LB. 5'10, 175 lbs. - No shortage of playmakers for MIB, who earned a 76-6 win over Bigfork last Wednesday, and Dahl popped off for 6 carries for 132 yards and 2 TDs   [player_tooltip player_id='1582863' first='Jacob' last='Robillard'] (North Branch) 2025. QB/DB. 6', 185 lbs. - One of the best uncommitted athletes in the state, Robillard carried 4 times for 110 yards and 2 TDs and added 5 tackles on defense   Playoffs Round 1 Preview   Tuesday 10/22:   108 Games. Best Matchups:   Randolph (7-1) @ Cannon Falls (6-2)   Crosby-Ironton (2-6) @ International Falls (5-3)   Chaska (4-4) @ Waconia (4-4)   Little Falls (2-6) @ Detroit Lakes (5-3) - Regular season game between the two finished 21-20 in favor of Detroit Lakes   Nicollet (4-4) @ New Ulm Cathedral (5-3)   Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons (4-4) @ Heron Lake-Okabena (5-3)   Friday 10/25:   16 Games. Best Matchups:   Champlin Park (3-5) @ East Ridge (5-3)   Wayzata (4-4) @ Lakeville South (5-3)   Saturday 10/26:   94 Games. Lots of them depend on results from Tuesday, so I will update this after the fact, but we do have some contests already set. Best Matchups:   Rocori (6-2) @ Princeton (8-0)   Mankato East (6-2) @ Mankato West (5-3)   Round 2 of this in-town, 5A, talent-loaded matchup. East is going to be looking to regain some glory after a big loss in these two's first meeting.   Minneapolis Washburn (6-2) @ Robbinsdale Cooper (7-1)

With 108 games set to kick off this Tuesday, Minnesota's 2024 playoffs are looking to begin with a bang, PrepRedzoneMN is giving our wonderful readers one last look at Week 8's action-packed results, scores, news, and top performers. As it turns out, Week 8 was arguably the most exciting of the entire regular season, filled with overtimes, last-second scores and finishes, upsets, and major multi-class matchups, putting the 2024 playoffs on a tasty, ready-made platter fresh out of the oven for our enjoyment. If you need a one-stop shop for all things Minnesota high school football regular-season finale, look no further!