Eastview, Eden Prairie, Benilde-St. Margaret's 7v7 Notes

Last week, thanks to a powerful itch to watch some football that generally comes in the month of July, PrepRedzoneMN made his way down to Apple Valley and Eastview High School to watch some unpadded 7v7 action. Although there were some no-shows, I still got an in-depth look at the skill positions of the Eastview Lightning, Eden Prairie Eagles, and Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights as the three Metro programs begin to inch closer to fall camp. Check out some notes, quick-hitting thoughts, and standout performers on the three squads below!   --   Eastview Lightning   From a skill position, back-seven perspective, the hosting Lightning had a lot to be excited about. There was a noticeable amount of variety in Eastview's receiving corps, with impressive size on the perimeter in particular, and the route running ability from the group was strong overall, especially given the fact that it was mid-July. Additionally, their linebacker and CB play was particularly strong, led by senior LB/SS Taylor Seaton (6'2, 215) and 2027 CB [player_tooltip player_id='1581395' first='Trey' last='Sanders'], who was looking particularly sticky at 6'2, 150. However, like many high school football teams around the country, it's going to be make or break at the QB position, although you don't get a look at a team's running game during 1v1. Eastview's safeties are always going to need to step it up a notch, as Benilde-St. Margaret's was torching the Lightning deep during the opening game of the tri-team tourney. Get to know of Eastview's Top Performers below:   Logan Myers - 2026. LB. 6', 210 lbs.   Rocking a knee brace and a thick, strapping upper body, Myers kicked off the day of competition by picking off an errant Benilde-St. Margaret's redzone pass right on the goal line by beautifully dropping into and reading a crossing route to for a slick INT and a strong start for the Eastview defense. Myers, who showed off some real-deal coverage ability by sitting on routes and breaking on the ball well, also had sticky hands and the physical build that looks like it can eat blocking attempts from climbing iOL and disrupt an offense's rushing attack. Passed the Eye Test from the stands as well.   Taylor Seaton - 2026. TE/SS/LB. 6'2, 215 lbs.   One of the most dynamic players of the three-team 7v7 matchup down in Apple Valley, Seaton was a large, rangy, and versatile two-way presence who did good things on both sides of the ball for his lightning. A big, strapping, 6'2, 215 lb. SS/DB/nickel hybrid, Seaton did a good job of sitting down and finding space in zone coverage as a halfback/TE, and he did a good job of working back to the ball and catching the rock away from his body. He was one of the Eastview QB contingent's favorite pass catching options and was targeted a good amount throughout a day, and given the size and change of direction ability, I could see him generating some YAC throughout a game. Also was rangy as a defender who was asked to do a lot throughout the day. Should be a strong senior season for the Lightning standout!   [player_tooltip player_id='1581395' first='Trey' last='Sanders'] - 2027. CB. 6'2, 150 lbs.   Long, wiry, explosive, and coming into his second year as a 6A varsity starter out on the perimeter of the Eastview defense, Sanders was the only CB I saw who was able to compete against BSM's monster WR1, and his ability to compete on shorter, three-step routes underneath and in the first level of the field will set up Eastview ahead of the chains and put his defense in advantageous situations throughout the year. Wish I got to watch him a little more but Sanders has a ton of tools at his disposal and I'm excited to see how he operates now that he's an upperclassman.   Ethan McGrath - 2027. WR/P. 6'3, 180 lbs.   The younger brother of current Minnesota Gophers redshirt freshman punter Caleb McGrath, 2027 WR/P/hooper Ethan McGrath was the most productive Eastview WR of the competition. McGrath popped off the most exciting individual effort of any Eastview offensive player in-game, sticking his foot in the ground and getting vertical before cutting past a couple of would-be BSM defenders for some broken tackles and a smooth TD reception and YAC effort. His length and quickness, as well as basketball background, transfer well to the gridiron, and he also ran a nice goal line out-route for a 2pt conversion later in the game as well. Quick feet, can sit down in zone coverage, and has the athleticism to both create separation and eat up chunks of yardage after the catch for his offense. Good showing from the 2027 multi-phase contributor, who biked off into the sunset after the BSM game feeling good about his performance.   Harrison Weldon - 2026. WR. 6'3, 180 lbs.   Presenting as an obvious mismatch on the perimeter for the Eastview offense, Weldon possessed eye-catching size and length as the Lightning's X receiver and his overall movement skills were impressive given the overall build and physical upside. The kid could run a bit, with some quick feet and smooth change of direction ability in his releases and throughout a route. As you'd hope for from an X receiver, Weldon was also running by the BSM cornerbacks when working vertically, and he was able to cut his routes off well and show off some burst and change of tempo ability throughout a route. Weldon also popped off what was nearly the craziest play of the day in a leaping, nearly highlight-reel-worthy, full-extended snag over a stud BSM defensive back that just nearly came down incomplete. Could be a big year for the rising senior wideout.   EJ Heglund - 2026. SB. 5'6, 150 lbs.   A tough, shifty, and potentially explosive pass-catching threat out of the slot, Heglund had a nice TD catch against Eden Prairie on a smooth little corner route, and his sudden COD ability helped him get open throughout the evening of competition against both BSM and EP. Heglund took a decent hit and came back even harder in the opening game against a Red Knights, but he needs to make sure his hands are a softer and more consistent once the season rolls around. Could be a darkhorse option for Eastview's passing attack in 2025.   Eden Prairie Eagles   Not a ton of takeaways from the perennial Big School contender Eden Prairie, as the Eagles are rarely in their best setting in unpadded, 7v7 action, but I am much more bullish on their skill position talent going into 2025 than I was going into 2024. With QB1 Jackson Bakkum going into his second year at the helm of EP's offense, the Eagles skill corps include a variety of sizes and skillsets, with two of the best jumbo athletes in the state in TE [player_tooltip player_id='591981' first='Braden' last='Minta'] - a recent North Dakota commit - and Montana State DL commit [player_tooltip player_id='284019' first='Gavin' last='Walden'], who is about to receive a significant amount of offensive snaps as a halfback. Stay out of that kid's way, we can start and end it there. Additionally, 6'5, 200 lb. hooper and non-varsity QB [player_tooltip player_id='1547329' first='Phillip' last='Moita'] made some splash plays as a wideout, a new role for him, and I think once the rust gets knocked off this EP offense could really do some damage at the 6A level.   [player_tooltip player_id='284019' first='Gavin' last='Walden'] - 2026. HB/TE. 6'2, 255 lbs.   A Top 20 senior in the loaded Minnesota 2026 class, Walden is expanding his role with Eden Prairie going into his senior season in 2025, adding a variety of offensive assignments to his plate in what is sure to be one of the most physical, exciting, and athletic jumbo playmakers in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Walden caught a TD on a fade route that hung in the air for far too long, allowing three DBs to gather around the 6'2, 255+ pounder, but Walden still climbed the ladder a bit and plucked the ball right out of the air with impressive physical authority, and his ability to change direction and get open in the flats and over the middle of the field are going to be a problem for defenses once he gets the ball in space. We don't see kids of this size with this kind of offensive capacity very often folks, I'd get on your feet every time he touches the rock.   [player_tooltip player_id='1120625' first='Luke' last='Henry'] - 2026. LB. 6'3, 215 lbs.   One of the hardest working Minnesotans of the 2025 summer camp circuit, Henry has been putting in some serious work this offseason and is coming into his senior season bigger, faster, stronger, and ready to make some plays for the EP faithful. An obvious physical eye-catcher, Henry made some great breaks on the ball throughout the afternoon, showing off some real-deal coverage ability and quickness that even produced an INT on the best WR in attendance. Coming out of a LB-factory that is Eden Prairie, I think Henry is poised for a monster senior season in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1665851' first='Maddox' last='Mulder'] - 2027. WR. 5'10, 160 lbs.   PrepRedzoneMN has gotten to see Mulder a couple times on the 7v7 circuit this offseason, so seeing the white sleeves on the shifty, speedy Eden Prairie WR was a familiar sight, and I think the rising junior could be in for a breakout varsity season in 2025. A good route runner who is able to separate at the top of the route and burn CBs deep, Mulder didn't get a ton of balls thrown his way that afternoon in Apple Valley, but his hard work and overall skillset look ready for varsity reps in 2025.   Justice Bates - 2026. HB/RB.   A physical eye-catcher who has put on some serious mass going into his senior season, Bates was a bulky, yet quick, RB/HB hybrid who brings some serious size and physicality out of the backfield as a pass-catching option during 7v7 play. Able to reel in and complete contested catches thanks to his strong hands, Bates has an interesting skillset and some real-deal power to the position for his Eden Prairie offense. Potential breakout performer for the Eagles offense going into the 2025 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1656423' first='Bryce' last='Jensen'] - 2027. CB.   Not sure if this is the same [player_tooltip player_id='1656423' first='Bryce' last='Jensen'] who lit up our 2025 PRzMN Combine Series Showcase, as that 2027 RB/CB Jensen was at Shakopee as of a couple months ago, but if it is the same Jensen, Eden Prairie has a heckuva athlete on the perimeter of their defense. Strong, aggressive in coverage, and able to get out of his breaks with noticeable pace, Jensen was able to compete on routes all around the field and owned the athleticism to stay in-phase with even the twitchiest and most explosive wideouts. Stay posted on this potential new name to the Eden Prairie roster.   [player_tooltip player_id='1547329' first='Phillip' last='Moita'] - 2027. WR/QB. 6'5, 200 lbs.   With rare physical traits and an eye-catching frame that could create some serious momentum on the recruiting trail, I was stoked to see 2027 athlete Phil Moita working at WR last week in Apple Valley. With a basketball background and verified athletic ability, Moita had one of the best catches of the afternoon, winning a 50/50 ball on a fade route right on the head of a helpless DB, and I also liked his strength when fighting through the press and length at the catch point. Get this kid the rock!   Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights   Benilde-St. Margaret's, led by rising senior QB Peyton Myers, who PRzMN is quite familiar with thanks to Myers' hard work with 612Qs, was the most polished team in attendance, especially offensively. Led my the dynamic duo of Myers and WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1425960' first='Jaidyn' last='Garibaldi'], the Red Knights were far from rusty in their offensive passing attack, consistently creating splash plays downfield while also showing off the ability to move the chains and utilize the routine, dink & dump type short and intermediate passes that keep an offense humming. Ball security was key, and I think Myers could have a massive season at the helm of the Red Knights in 2025. Garibaldi was dynamic and productive on both sides of the ball and was the best player in attendance at the 7v7 tourney, and he was joined by a host of smart, experienced, and competitive teammates who played some exciting team football given the fact it was mid-July. Although they lost some pieces from their star-studded 2025 graduating class, I'm optimistic about BSM going into fall camp and their Week 1 matchup against defending Class AAA state champs Stewartville.   Peyton Myers - 2026. QB. 5'11, 180 lbs.   QB1 of the Red Knights has positioned himself for a huge 2025 senior campaign. A hard worker and natural leader from the QB position, Myers has been putting in the work this offseason, and he looked polished and locked in as of mid-July. With noticeable command of the offense, Myers opened the 7v7 tri-team tourney with a moon ball of a TD toss for a beautiful opening throw of the competition, and he continued to show he could stretch the ball to all three levels of the field with accuracy and touch throughout the afternoon of action. Myers did a good job of getting through his reads, seeing the field, and making smart decisions with the football, and he put the ball into some tighter windows throughout his day of throws. With a real-deal WR1 like the soon-to-be-mentioned Garibaldi, Myers could post some serious production throughout the 2025 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1425960' first='Jaidyn' last='Garibaldi'] - WR/SAF. 5'10, 175 lbs.   The best player in attendance last week in Apple Valley, Garibaldi was a straight-up menace on both sides of the ball against Eastview and Eden Prairie. He was unstoppable as a wideout, where his was able to consistently burn defensive backs, including in Cover 2 assignments, vertically and for explosive gains and TD catches, and his contested catch ability and athleticism & body control when climbing the ladder and high-pointing the football was as exciting as it was effective. Garibaldi did a great job of separating at the top of the route against CBs throughout the afternoon, and possessed a balanced skillset of speed, quickness, and competitiveness that produced what seemed like double-digit TDs throughout only two games of 7v7 action. Additionally, Garibaldi was a ballhawk as a safety for his Red Knights, with noticeable range that produced some thrilling INTs and PBUs as a MOF or Cover 2 defender, and his instincts, ability to break on the ball with pace, and sticky hands helped him shut down his half of the field no matter what the WR combination he was competing against. Going to be a monster season for the rising senior playmaker repping St. Louis Park and the MN private school ranks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1654847' first='Mac' last='Lang'] - 2028. DB. 5'10, 150 lbs.   Only a rising sophomore, Lang proved himself to be a ballhawk against 6A competition after posting an exciting INT vs. Eastview in the opening game of the competition and providing an explosive play for his defense against a quality offensive opponent. New 2028 to the ever-growing PRzMN radar who seems ready for the bright lights of varsity ball as a third-level defender.   Nate Decowski - 2026. WR. 6', 180 lbs.   Caught a dime of a post route against Cover 2 defense to score an explosive TD against Eden Prairie in the Red Knights' second 7v7 matchup of the afternoon, showing he is able to win vertically, track the deep ball, and produce big plays against athletic secondaries. Could be a big season for the rising senior out of BSM.   [player_tooltip player_id='1658262' first='Finn' last='Lang'] - 2028. DB. 5'10, 155 lbs.   The rising sophomore, while fully extended and flying high through the air, created a beautiful contested catch TD against Eden Prairie that was one of the most exciting plays and individual efforts of the afternoon. New to varsity competition and still an underclassmen standout, Lang looked athletic last week in front of PRzMN, and is going to be an integral part of the Red Knights' skill corps in 2025. I have a feeling we'll be hearing more about the sophomore soon!

Last week, thanks to a powerful itch to watch some football that generally comes in the month of July, PrepRedzoneMN made his way down to Apple Valley and Eastview High School to watch some unpadded 7v7 action. Although there were some no-shows, I still got an in-depth look at the skill positions of the Eastview Lightning, Eden Prairie Eagles, and Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights as the three Metro programs begin to inch closer to fall camp. Check out some notes, quick-hitting thoughts, and standout performers on the three squads below!