2025 Team Preview: Cannon Falls Bombers

After coming just one game short of reaching the Class 2A State Championship game in 2023, the Cannon Falls Bombers made a strong push for another deep run in 2024. Led by a deep running game and potent defense, the Bombers would finish 8-3, with a 4-2 divisional record, ranking 3rd in the Southeast Central-Yellow district. Unfortunately, Cannon Falls was stunned in the section championship game, giving up 14 unanswered in the 4th quarter to lose to the eventual Class 2A runner-up, Norwood Young America. Nevertheless, the Bombers still retain plenty of talent that should once again propel the team toward making another deep postseason run in 2025.   Here are 5 players from the Bombers' team that will lead the way for this unit in 2025!    [player_tooltip player_id='1629194' first='Grady' last='Meyers'] is one of the top hybrid LB/Safety hybrids in this upcoming class for Minnesota, and he also serves as the Bombers' starting QB. Meyers has great vision as a defender, consistently finding where the ball is going through motion and reverse handoffs while also showing great lateral movement and does a great job plugging the outside gaps against the run. A physically imposing defender who's a clear mismatch in pass coverage, Meyers performs well as a man-defender who can cover against the deep ball while also excelling in robber-coverage, and he possesses the speed to take the ball all the way back to the house. As the QB, Meyers didn't throw much for the run-heavy offense, but he showed glimpses of potential as a solid pocket passer while also maintaining accuracy passing through contact. Meyers will be the central point for Cannon Falls' success in 2025.     We had mentioned [player_tooltip player_id='1654635' first='TJ' last='Kyyra'] as a freshman standout in Class 2A, and he's expected to move toward the top of the pecking order in Cannon Falls' rushing attack in 2025. Kyyra ran for 378 yards and 2 touchdowns during his freshman year, an impressive total on just 44 touches. A powerful runner who enjoys running through contact, Kyyra was often able to surge up the middle, consistently garnering momentum for forward progress, while also having solid vision and speed to scamper around defenders for extra yardage. Kyyra's run-style wasn't flashy, but it was effective, and his reliability in moving the chains for the offense should see itself more often, as Kyyra is slated as the No. 1 RB on Cannon Falls' roster headed into this season.     Jack Shepersky is another young name on this Cannon Falls' team that should emerge as a potential leader for the defense. As a sophomore, Shepersky finished 2nd on the team with 37 tackles to go with 7 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Shepersky showed quite a lot of awareness and big-play potential in the middle of the defense. Proving difficult to contain against the run, Shepersky was able to explode through the interior gaps, maintaining good footwork, and show great tackling form and power on his hits that stopped the ball-carrier dead in their tracks upon contact. Shepersky also played well against the pass, whether in containing the middle against RB checkdown throws, or in hustling to the sideline to stop the outside pass. Shepersky should become quite the force for the Bombers' defense, and he could very well enter his junior season as a team captain.     Another sophomore who stood out as an unexpected asset for the defense in 2024 was Griffin Peterson. Peterson ended up finishing with a team-high 39 tackles along with 4 TFLs and 1.5 sacks. While there isn't much film on Peterson's performance currently, he does play well beyond his size, showing impressive strength and tackling form, and that may stem from his performance as a wrestler, where he competed in the MSHSL state championship back in March. Peterson is certainly a player that shouldn't be overlooked for Cannon Falls going forward, as he should continue to play a big role for their defense.     I had mentioned [player_tooltip player_id='1602761' first='Talant' last='Rifenberick'] as an OL prospect last season, but he found his calling as a DE/OLB prospect. In 6 games, Rifenberick recorded 14 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble. Rifenberick's length and raw strength gives him an edge on the outside, as he was able to consistently drive back blockers toward the QB and force pressure to get the ball out quickly. Rifenberick also showed potential as a goal-line defender, most prevalently with his force fumble during their playoff loss against Norwood, forcing a turnover from inside the 5-yard line to turn the tide in the Bombers' favor. That game-changing potential should not be overlooked, and that could play very well heading into his senior campaign.

After coming just one game short of reaching the Class 2A State Championship game in 2023, the Cannon Falls Bombers made a strong push for another deep run in 2024. Led by a deep running game and potent defense, the Bombers would finish 8-3, with a 4-2 divisional record, ranking 3rd in the Southeast Central-Yellow district. Unfortunately, Cannon Falls was stunned in the section championship game, giving up 14 unanswered in the 4th quarter to lose to the eventual Class 2A runner-up, Norwood Young America. Nevertheless, the Bombers still retain plenty of talent that should once again propel the team toward making another deep postseason run in 2025.