Minnesota Prep Bowl State Championship X-Factors

And just like that, it's the last week of the 2024 Minnesota high school football season. It's been a fun season, to say the least, and the future of Minnesota's high school football scene and talent is in good hands, especially on the recruiting front. Now that the season is down to seven games and 14 teams, PrepRedzoneMN wanted to focus on some potential X-Factors and darkhorse players that could change the course of their upcoming Prep Bowl state championship games. Keep an eye out for these guys on Friday and Saturday!   --   9Man   Fertile-Beltrami vs. Hills-Beaver Creek   Saturday, 10 AM   X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='1602768' first='Bryer' last='Strem'] (Fertile-Beltrami) 2026. 5'9, 150 lbs.   Lot of star-power on the gridiron for the 2024 9Man state championship, led by South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1573209' first='Beau' last='Bakken'] out of Hills-Beaver Creek and former North Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='502012' first='Isaiah' last='Wright'] out of Fertile-Beltrami, but for the sake of argument we can go ahead and assume that those standouts are going to do what big-time players do, and the on-field success will cancel each other out in terms of big plays and potential points. After watching both teams compete in the state semifinals last week, I think an under-the-radar playmaker is going to be that X-Factor and game-changer with so many big names on the field. Insert junior [player_tooltip player_id='1602768' first='Bryer' last='Strem'], a three-phase contributor as a WR, DB, and returner with a smooth, explosive playstyle and a ton of juice with the ball in his hands. Strem is dynamic, catching, running, returning, tackling, and picking off passes, and he posted an interception in the 9Man semifinal against LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli. That ballhawking ability is going to be key in this 9Man matchup, as HBC's QB [player_tooltip player_id='1371692' first='Jamin' last='Metzger'] can really sling the rock around, and a timely turnover could be key in this evenly matched up state championship game, especially with how much HBC is looking to throw the rock. If Strem can produce a splash play in one, two, or even three phases of the game, it could make all the difference in this Prep Bowl game.   Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='1371692' first='Jamin' last='Metzger'] (Hills-Beaver Creek) 2026. QB. 6'5, 200 lbs. slings it around while keeping the ball safe   Class A   Minneota vs. Springfield   Friday, 10 AM   X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='1288305' first='Aiden' last='Moriarty'] (Springfield) 2027. TE/LB. 6'3, 240 lbs.   Safe to say that Minneota is the favorite coming into this Class A Prep Bowl final, riding high on a 32-game win streak behind the legs of returning All-State RB pick [player_tooltip player_id='1145278' first='Ryan' last='Meagher']. I think the X-Factor has to come from the underdog in this one, and after a lengthy amount of consideration, I think the X-Factor is sophomore stud TE/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1288305' first='Aiden' last='Moriarty']. One of the best college football prospects of the entire Prep Bowl weekend, Moriarty is still a sophomore, but he has big-play ability, influence, and athleticism, and is a two-way contributor who can make his mark on either side of the ball. Moriarty is a massive 6'3, 240 lb. off-ball LB, and his size and strength are going to be key in stopping Meagher, one of the best RBs in the state regardless of class. It's also going to come in handy when getting off blocks, and although Minneota's OL is effective, tough, and mobile, they aren't the biggest, which means that Moriarty should be able to assert himself physically in the run game and keep himself disengaged and off blocks for four quarters, especially with stud senior [player_tooltip player_id='1582808' first='Gavin' last='Vanderwerf'] set to garner a ton of attention as a LB himself. Not only can he be a game-wrecker on defense, with the talent and talent to halt drives himself, Moriarty is also a reliable and athletic pass-catching TE, especially in the redzone. Big catch radius, soft hands, and can win contested catches, Moriarty could be clutch target when the Tigers need points or receptions the most. Keep an eye on #9 in the first game of the weekend tomorrow!   Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='1633417' first='Parker' last='Kuehn'] (Springfield) 2027. QB.   Class AA   Jackson County Central vs. Staples-Motley   Friday, 4 PM   X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='1582843' first='Alex' last='Schultz'] (Staples-Motley) 2025. WR/S. 6'3, 180 lbs.   It's been a heckuva run for the Jackson County Central Huskies, who lost P4 offeree and QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss'] in the quarterfinals but continued the run of success thanks to an experienced, balanced, and dynamic roster filled with senior playmakers and high-end talent. However, if JCC is going to get beat, I think it's through the air, and the oncoming Staples-Motley Cardinals have quite a prolific passing attack led by the big, long, and playmaking WR [player_tooltip player_id='1582843' first='Alex' last='Schultz']. With great size and the wherewithal to use it, Schultz is a vertical threat with a big catch radius and a ton of 50/50 ball ability, and is able to take the top off the defense and pop off huge plays downfield and after the catch. Not only that, Schultz is a ballhawking safety who is also quite the thumper, adding physical enforcement from the defensive backfield who can turn the tide of a game with his hands or pads. JCC now has their backup QB manning the helm, and although the kid definitely has game, he's as experienced as Voss and under the bright lights of U.S. Bank Stadium, you never know what could happen. If there's an errant or forced pass, Schultz is going to be able to capitalize. Keep an eye on #4 on both sides of the ball tomorrow!   Honorable Mention: Thomas Liepold (Jackson County Central) 2025. DE/OL. 6', 210 lbs.   Class AAA   Dassel-Cokato vs. Stewartville   Saturday, 1 PM   X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='1582797' first='Cole' last='Veith'] (Dassel-Cokato) 2025. QB. 5'10, 180 lbs.   Stewartville is overflowing with talent on their 2024 roster, and to overcome the excess of athleticism and explosiveness, the Chargers are going to need their best players to have their best games in order to match and hopefully overcome the talent pool possessed by Stewie. Football is a sport whose success is generally predicated on the quarterback position, and after seeing the Chargers live and in person on Saturday against Pequot Lakes, I think QB [player_tooltip player_id='1582797' first='Cole' last='Veith'] is the Class AAA state championship's X-Factor. As I mentioned in my recent PrepRedzoneMN All-Semifinal Team series earlier this week, Veith is the lynchpin and signal-caller to DC's tremendous offense, which has my pick for the highest paced in all of Minnesota. That takes game awareness, leadership, being cool under pressure, and a high football IQ, and not only is Veith smart and efficient, he's got some legs under him too. Veith averaged an impressive 6.4 yards per carry last Saturday, totaling 20 carries for 127 yards against a physical Pequot Lakes defense, showing off burst, vision, and balance through contact. Didn't get to see him throw the ball much, which DC may have to call upon to keep the defense guessing, but he's the drum that sets the beat to DC's offense and is going to need his best game for the Chargers to take down the undefeated Tigers.   Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='234881' first='Parker' last='Wangen'] (Stewartville) 2025. WR. 6'4, 200 lbs.   MSU-Mankato commit Wangen completely took over the Tigers Class AA semifinal win against Albany, totaling 9 catches for 152 yards and 2 TDs on an impressive 17 YPC average. He was the best player on the field that day, as he is most days, and was unstoppable against a high-quality, experienced Huskies defense doing their darndest to try and keep him in check. If Wangen shows up in that same form that he did last week, I don't know if there's anything stopping Stewartville from going back-to-back. This dude has the "it" factor.   Class 4A   Totino-Grace vs. Becker   Friday, 1 PM   X-Factor: Jake Person (Totino-Grace) 2025. QB. 6', 185 lbs.   One of the top games of the weekend, I'm expecting an absolute slugfest between 4A finalists Totino-Grace and Becker. The Eagles have one of the playoffs top performers in electric, playmaking RB/SB [player_tooltip player_id='1221973' first='Marquel' last='Keten'], but he's going to garner the majority of the defensive attention from the talented, team-driven Becker defense. With how suffocating that Bulldogs defense is against the run, holding opponents to only 3.1 YPC and 89.5 YPG in 2024, I think the Totino-Grace offense needs to be more dynamic if they hope to overcome the undefeated, #1 ranked Bulldogs in the 4A Prep Bowl on Friday. That means Eagles senior signal-caller Jake Person is the game's X-Factor and will be the base and foundation of success - as well as failure - in the Eagles quest to upend the Bulldogs. Person has a good arm and the weapons to stretch the field and move the chains, but consistency and ball security are the two major keys here, and Person will need to make some clutch throws to overcome the high-energy Becker defense, something I saw him do in the Class 4A semifinal win against Orono. Can't wait to see what #3 is made of this Friday.   Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='1293093' first='Tristan' last='Kowalkowski'] (Becker) 2027. QB. 6', 180 lbs. - Only a sophomore and in his first year with Becker, Kowalkowski now finds himself as QB1 of a potential 4A state title winner, but he needs to earn the W first. Kowalkowski is going to be facing as much end-talent as he'll see in possibly his entire career, with UNI commits at both the DL and CB spots, a group of LBs coming for heads, and a DB group that is very sticky and plays well under pressure. Navigating both the defensive pressure he's going to face, as well as keeping his offense humming while keeping the ball safe, will be as big of asks as they've ever been on Friday. Keep an eye on the underclassman standout leading the Becker offense on Friday afternoon!   Class 5A   Alexandria vs. Elk River   Saturday, 4:30 PM   X-Factor: Gavin Kerns (Elk River) 2025. CB. 5'11, 160 lbs.   Alexandria has one of the state's top passing attacks, that can't be debated. In a clash of two offenses on opposite ends of the schematic spectrum, I think the X-Factor in the Class 5A semifinal needs to come out of the Elks defensive backfield. With do-it-all utility athlete [player_tooltip player_id='348733' first='Brecken' last='Keoraj'] holding down one of the cornerback spots, PRzMN's X-Factor is fellow cornerback Gavin Kerns. Pretty simple here, if the Elks want to stop the Cards explosive passing offense, Kerns is going to need to show up and show out, because you can bet your butt he's going to see his fair share of targets throughout the afternoon, especially with Keoraj on the other side of him. Both CBs will face a talented and diverse WR group from Alexandria, one that will be their toughest challenge to date. Kerns is comfortable playing the deep ball, competitive at the catch point, and does a good job of playing with physicality on the perimeter, so he has more than the ability to shine under the bright lights of the Prep Bowl. Can't wait to see how Kerns & co. rise to the occasion.   Honorable Mention:   [player_tooltip player_id='348733' first='Brecken' last='Keoraj'] (Elk River) 2025. RB/CB. - Two-way starter and standout for the Elks who plays a key role on both sides of the ball. The explosive element to the Elks Power-T rushing attack, Keoraj is also a starting CB facing an explosive and talented Alexandria WR + QB group. Keoraj has to be successful in order for the Elks to get a W.   [player_tooltip player_id='1118428' first='Charlie' last='Olson'] (Elk River) 2025. DE/TE. 6'3, 240 lbs. - You know what helps defensive backs in coverage? A pass rush. Olson has the size, motor, and skillset to get after a QB for four quarters, and will be counted on to disrupt the timing and effectiveness of Alexandria's passing offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1204489' first='Dean' last='Lempka'] (Alexandria) 2025. EDGE. 6'3, 220 lbs. - A part of a large & talented Alexandria defensive line, Lempka is going to have a big role in potentially stopping the vaunted Elk River Power-T offense. Lempka is a productive tackle machine with good size and length and some real pass-rushing capability on top of it all. He'll need every bit of skill to handle the ultra-effective Power-T, and will be tasked with holding the edge and keeping contain against Elks QB [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'], an electric and speedy ball carrier who can really hurt defenses once he gets out into space. We'll see what Lempka has to say about that on Saturday!   Class 6A   Minnetonka vs. Maple Grove   X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'] (Minnetonka) 2026. QB. 6'1, 190 lbs.   Nothing flashy or under the radar about this one. If Minnetonka wants to get this 6A semifinal win against a tenacious Maple Grove team, then Francois is going to need to have another monster individual showing. The junior QB/ATH posted an astounding 39 carries for 283 and 5 TDs in the semifinal against Anoka, barely looking tired by the time the backups made their way to the field. I've been trying to make sure I am examining both teams entire roster before making a pick for the game's X-Factor, searching and diving deep to make sure I check out each and every potential game-changer available, but the 6A final is going to come down to the underdog's figurehead having his best game. I think Francois is going to need to have a career game in order for the Skippers to overtake the Crimson, as Minnetonka's offense is run-heavy and somewhat one-dimensional, which doesn't need to be a bad thing, as their mauling offensive line and multi-pronged rushing attack have been unstoppable every game of the season, except for their Round 1 matchup with Maple Grove. The Skippers needed to throw the ball in that regular season finale loss to the Crimson, which Francois did pretty well actually, going 7-10 for 140 yards and a TD, as well as two INTs. Either way, run or pass, things are going to fall onto the shoulders of Francois.   Honorable Mention:   [player_tooltip player_id='489731' first='Kaden' last='Harney'] (Maple Grove) 2026. QB. 6'3, 185 lbs.   AJ Fider (Minnetonka) 2025. OLB/SS. 5'10, 170 lbs. - Fider does a lot of the dirty work and is a very productive defensive athlete for the Skippers. Instinctive, and is asked to read/react quickly to an opposing offense. He's also a good tackler, fits gaps well, and triggers on the ball with pace. With a lot of attention set to be paid to Tonka's well-built DL and ILB [player_tooltip player_id='641131' first='Dylan' last='Hudgens'], Fider is going to be freed up to make plays in space, and Tonka is going to need a sure tackler and potential playmaker on defense to handle the superstar that is Maple Grove RB Chuck Langama. Good matchup to watch here for those interested.

And just like that, it's the last week of the 2024 Minnesota high school football season. It's been a fun season, to say the least, and the future of Minnesota's high school football scene and talent is in good hands, especially on the recruiting front. Now that the season is down to seven games and 14 teams, PrepRedzoneMN wanted to focus on some potential X-Factors and darkhorse players that could change the course of their upcoming Prep Bowl state championship games. Keep an eye out for these guys on Friday and Saturday!