Inspired Athletx 7v7 Invite: Recap and Top Performers

For the second year in a row, Inspried Athletx, a high performance physical therapy and athletic training team with facilities in Golden Valley and Delano, put on one of the best 7v7 events of the summer, welcoming the likes of the hosting Minnetonka Skippers, the defending Class 6A runner-up, defending 6A state champions Maple Grove, defending 4A state champions Becker, 6A state quarterfinalist Edina, 5A state semifinalist Owatonna, and 4A state semifinalist Orono, as well as the Fridley Tigers and Minnetonka's JV squad after Blaine dropped late, this 7v7 competition was STACKED, and even with all the hype coming in, the Inspired Athletx 7v7 Invite more than lived up to the hype. With the Maple Grove Crimson coming out on top for the second year in a row, check out the exclusive coverage from the loaded preseason, unpadded, skills-only 7v7 tourney, only on PrepRedzoneMN.   --   Recap and Quick Hitters   QB Play Highlights the Day's Action   In addition to the wealth of team talent that came together at Minnetonka High School last week, the Inspired Athletx 7v7 Tournament brought together the best QBs in the state of Minnesota's 2026 and 2027 class, namely [player_tooltip player_id='489731' first='Kaden' last='Harney'], [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'], [player_tooltip player_id='1029336' first='Caden' last='Gutzmer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1293093' first='Tristan' last='Kowalkowski']. With West off to play hockey after this year, we relished the opportunity to see the absolutely massive Hornet gunslinger rocking Blackhawks gear, and he lived up to the hype, as did his peers, who all seemed very locked in and competitive at this point in the season. The quarterbacks were loose, comfortable, accurate, and focused during the competition, and we saw a plethora of eye-catching throws throughout the evening from the aforementioned four gunslingers, as well as from Fridley, Owatonna, and Orono. With those aforementioned four quarterbacks in particular, I'm very excited to see how these offenses compete in 2025, especially Minnetonka and Becker, who primarily ran the ball on the way to deep playoff campaigns in 2024, as these QBs are too good not to build an offense around. It was a good day to be a QB last week in Tonka. More on that below!   Champions Maple Grove Picking up Right Where They Left Off   There wasn't a lick of rust on the Maple Grove Crimson last week in Minnetonka, and despite the Crimson graduating six Division 1 signees and a deep contingent of talent from their 2025 class, the rising upperclassmen have picked up right where their forebears left off. In addition to the standout QB play, Maple Grove's defense was stingy, aggressive, and cohesive, and they played some very impressive team defense throughout the 7v7 competition. Led by NDSU CB commit [player_tooltip player_id='592132' first='Brayden' last='Dozier'], who could shut down his half off the field and/or his opponents best wideout for an entire ball game, the Crimson's back-seven knew their assignments and played fast, creating very tight windows for opposing QBs that were simply too small for most prep QBs, so the Crimson's defense ate up more than their fair share of INTs and PBUs throughout the Inspired Athletx tournament, and I loved their competitive, in-your-face, high-energy demeanor when going up against their 6A competitors. The amount of coverage sacks that came over the course of the afternoon became too many to count, and the words "stifling" and "suffocating" came to mind as I watched the Crimson's back-seven shut down talented passing attacks this consistently for mid-July. Can't wait to watch these dues at the Bemidji State Team Camp next week. I wouldn't expect much of an offensive or defensive drop off here as the Crimson look to repeat as 6A state champs.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JaredMartyMN/status/1946018689490309348 </div></figure>   Minnetonka is looking Dangerous   Minnetonka, the defending Class 6A runner-up, is going to be a problem for 6A title contenders in 2025. With the emergence of rising junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1029336' first='Caden' last='Gutzmer'], a fantastic QB prospect going into his first year at the helm for the Skippers who has received D1 offers before ever starting a game, the Skippers run-heavy offense has opened up and become significantly more balanced, with an increase in multi-receiver sets and personnel and some dynamic skill players looking to make an impact on Minnetonka's 2025 season. The Skippers obviously return QB turned full-time RB [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'] - an Iowa State commit - as well as three of the five starters from last year's state title run and downright dominant OL, and the defense is now in their second year under DC Matt Lombardi, and the cohesiveness and comfortability in the back-seven of the defense was noticeable in the Skippers 2025 roster. I like Tonka as the state's #1 contender for the 6A crown going into the season.   Breakout Candidates Galore   [player_tooltip player_id='1120526' first='Cody' last='Braun'] (Minnetonka, 2027), Henry Knutson (Maple Grove, 2026), and [player_tooltip player_id='1602739' first='Sawyer' last='Brown'] (Becker, 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='1612777' first='Sammy' last='Stephenson'] (Edina, 2026) spearheaded a rising wave of upperclassmen who were playing their absolute tails off last week in Minnetonka. These three were legit, playmaking, explosive WR1s who took turns taking over ball games and flashing reps of complete athletic dominance, and now that the road to playing time has loosened up with the 2025 onto college, I'd expect these new names to take over the headlines and stat sheets this fall. More on them below!   Need Fridley Names   I haven't been able to get ahold of anyone on the Fridley program to confirm names, so I just want to make sure that there were indeed some Tigers who caught and held our attention last week in Minnetonka, and I will make sure to edit them in once we get ahold of someone after the time this article goes live. If you're someone who was rooting for, coaching, or playing for Fridley last week at the Inspired Athletx 7v7 tournament, please DM me ( @OJW_Scouting ) or email me: oliver@prepredzone.com . Go Tigers!   Top Performers   [player_tooltip player_id='489731' first='Kaden' last='Harney'] (Maple Grove) 2026. QB. 6'3, 190 lbs.   The lone Division 1 quarterback commitment remaining in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Maple Grove's defending 6A state champion [player_tooltip player_id='489731' first='Kaden' last='Harney'] looked every bit of a Division 1 signal-caller last week in Minnetonka. The kid has been putting in work behind the scenes, as he's added significant muscular definition to his 6'3 frame and is really looking the part of a heavyweight FCS commit going into his senior year of high school. Additionally, I've heard Harney has been clocking some noteworthy and impressive speed and athletic times during the Crimson's offseason workouts, so expect Harney to be more of a threat with his legs in 2025. At the Inspired Athletx 7v7 tourney last week, Harney was on the money all day long, opening his performance in front of PrepRedzoneMN with a beautiful bomb for a TD against Owatonna, a theme of stretching the field that continued throughout the afternoon. Harney was putting some serious zip on the ball, and he fit the ball into some tight windows throughout the multiple games PRzMN watched in Tonka, and his ability to read, process, and then drive the bal downfield with pinpoint accuracy did not go unnoticed drive to drive. Neither did his understanding of where his safety valves and check downs were, which kept his offense always on the front foot and seeing positive gains. Later, against Edina in the semifinals, Harney really started to throw some dimes, getting the ball out of his hand quickly and really flexing his ball placement ability, most notably a deep comeback from the opposite hash that was on time and on the money. Additionally, the Harney to fellow 2026 Henry Knutson connection was as in-tune as possible for mid-July, and with Harney's ability to spread the ball around to the variety of athletes on the Crimson's 2025 roster, the South Dakota State commit is poised to put up some monster numbers this fall.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMTWeWVyjAg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>   Henry Knutson (Maple Grove) 2026. WR. 6'4, 190 lbs.   Get on the bandwagon now, folks! PRzMN met one of 2025's breakout star candidates last week in Minnetonka, and we're buying stock like it's Apple in 1980. 6'4+ and 190 pounds, strong basketball background running with MG's varsity and MN Fury Reyes AAU squad, and runs in the 4.7s, what does that equal, folks? Your new WR1! Knutson was nearly unstoppable last week in Minnetonka, routinely blowing by CBs and safeties and taking the top off the defense with impressive and consistent ease, and his ability to track and play the deep ball in the air made for a skillset that created nothing but highlight-reel-worthy catches and explosive gains downfield. Knutson is everything you can hope for with these WR/basketball hybrids, as the short-area quickness allows him to separate and stack CBs at multiple points throughout a route, and his deep speed allows him to blow by safeties over the top. I also got to see his route running ability in full focus on an effective and well-ran deep comeback that saw great timing and a fast reaction, not to mention body control and soft hands at the catch point. I see a monster season coming up for this young man. Remember the name!   [player_tooltip player_id='1029336' first='Caden' last='Gutzmer'] (Minnetonka) 2027. QB. 6'2, 200 lbs.   Even with the group of Division 1 QB offerees and commits in attendance last week, the ball was still coming out of Minnetonka's rising first-year starter [player_tooltip player_id='1029336' first='Caden' last='Gutzmer']'s hand differently. PrepRedzoneMN is well familiar with the rising junior by now, as he's a noted PrepRedzoneMN Showcase standout who also was a potential front-runner in a loaded group of QBs at one of this summer's Minnesota Gophers RTB Prospect Camps, but I love that every time I see the young man he seems to get better and better. Gutzmer was stretching the field with a frightening amount of ease, and with the flick of his wrist the rising junior Skipper could take advantage of back-seven mistakes no matter it was on the gridiron. Gutzmer had arguably the most impressive throw of the day's competition when PRZMN was watching the Skippers take on former Classic Lake Conference rival Edina, when the 6'2, 200 lber. threw a frankly jaw-dropping deep fade ball right in the breadbasket of a streaking Skippers wideout, a throw that had over 40-yards of air distance that beat a racing safety coming over the top as well. He threw it with as much ease as I do playing catch with my German Shepherd too, and continued to carve up talented defenses across the board at the Inspired Athletx 7v7 tournament. Sees the field well, was safe and secure with the football, got the ball out fast, and was throwing with poise, velocity, and accuracy to all three levels of the field. Gutzmer has really opened up this Minnetonka offense going into 2025; 6A foes beware!   [player_tooltip player_id='1293093' first='Tristan' last='Kowalkowski'] (Becker) 2027. QB. 6', 185 lbs.   Kowalkowski is having a heckuva offseason, and with a year of 4A starting experience and a state championship already under his belt, he looks ready to hold down a spot near the state's passing leaderboards all 2025 long. Playing with a more mature poise and confidence, Kowalkowski was lighting up opposing defenses for explosive plays no matter the competition's classification, and his deep balls were especially impressive, as was his connection with soon-to-be-mentioned WR [player_tooltip player_id='1602739' first='Sawyer' last='Brown']. Kowalkowski, in the first game PRzMN got to watch of the defending 4A state champs, threw a beautiful tear drop on a fade ball downfield against Orono, and he was playing aggressively and quickly, getting the ball out of his hand with noticeable speed and hitting his receivers on-time and with accuracy no matter the route concept. The rising junior lefty has hungry and athletic pass-catching options and has really embraced the offseason grind, showing noticeable strides in his development going into his second year as a starter. Can't wait to see him padded up soon.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DMTzS7SMpje/ </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'] (Edina) 2026. QB. 6'6', 200 lbs.   The recent Round 1 NHL Draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks was quite the eye-catcher last week in Minnetonka, and not just because he's 6'6, 200+ pounds. Trust me, he's all of the 6'6+, and with that kind of size and arm talent, the 7v7 setting was a very exciting setting to see the multi-sport phenom. The kid has been playing hockey most of his offseason, so I knew he was transitioning back to football, but it was still fun to see the kid chuck the pigskin 40-50 yards downfield as easily as a simple slant. West was at his best when he could really put some air under the ball, and in addition to his explosive fade and post balls that were taking the top off the defense, he threw a couple beautiful corner routes to show off some touch as well. Additionally, seeing West rocking Blackhawks gear in a 7v7 setting was quite the flex, and with the amount of talent in Edina's skill corps going into the season, I'm very excited to see how this Edina squad comes together once we getting padded up in August.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612777' first='Sammy' last='Stephenson'] (Edina) 2026. WR/DB. 6'2, 200 lbs.   Did someone say stock riser? One of the four big-time breakout candidates I mentioned in the intro's quick-hitters, Edina's well-built, two-way contributor [player_tooltip player_id='1612777' first='Sammy' last='Stephenson'] was tearing it up on both sides of the ball last week in Minnetonka. At a solid, explosive 6'2, 200 pounds, Stephenson popped off some of the most impressive and athletic individual efforts we saw all day. A big-bodied, strong, and physical wideout, Stephenson was also an effective route runner, showing a strong command of the route tree that continued to catch PRZMN's eye throughout the multiple games of competition. Not only could he take the top off the defense and win vertically, Stephenson could also separate with consistency at the top of the route. He ran a fantastic dig route before plucking the ball right out of the air against Minnetonka, and his deep speed led to more than a handful of deep TD catches, including a smooth post route for a touchdown against Fridley. He also added an excellent PBU on a well-read corner route that showed off some range and physicality in coverage as well. More coming on this soon-to-be breakout star!   [player_tooltip player_id='1602739' first='Sawyer' last='Brown'] (Becker) 2026. WR/DB. 6'2, 180 lbs.   The defending Class 4A state champions graduated a near historic amount of talent from their loaded 2025 class, but as great programs seem to do, Becker has already reloaded. With a significant amount of offensive production up for grabs on the Bulldogs 2025 roster, the new go-to playmaker is undoubtedly [player_tooltip player_id='1602739' first='Sawyer' last='Brown'], a big, strong, competitive, and versatile multi-phase contributor who looked nearly unstoppable at times last week in Minnetonka. The best route runner in attendance, Brown put on a crazy double move for a TD that ended with him leaving his feet and sacrificing his body for a highlight-reel-worthy TD effort. Brown was getting open on seemingly every route and rep, and his quickness at the top of the route and strength at the contact point helped him reel in every throw that came his way. Additionally, Brown's defensive range and instincts resulted in him being one of the biggest ballhawks in attendance, with multiple disruptive breaks and reads ending in INTs and PBUs throughout the day. Brown is going to get Becker fans on their feet in 2025!   [player_tooltip player_id='1120526' first='Cody' last='Braun'] (Minnetonka) 2027. WR. 6', 180 lbs.   One of the state's biggest winners from the 2025 summer camp szn, Braun was an explosive weapon out of the slot who generated a ton of production for his offense as Gutzmer's go-to target throughout the day. Braun could shut down and break off his routes smoothly and suddenly, and his sticky hands could consistently finish receptions at the catch point and with contested coverage. Braun also made some great reads on defense, resulting in one of the more electric INTs of the afternoon, and it seems that Minnetonka has found that true #2 option behind future Iowa State Cyclones RB [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois']. Should be a big year for this Skipper!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMTp7XYyZsU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='592132' first='Brayden' last='Dozier'] (Maple Grove) 2026. CB.   The stickiest defensive back in attendance at last week's Inspired Athletx 7v7 tournament, Dozier was absolutely lockdown in coverage all afternoon long in Minnetonka. Regardless of the receiver or the coverage concept, Dozier was locking his side of the field down, and his impressive deep speed allowed him to stay with even the most explosive X receivers in attendance with the ease that you or I walk to the park. Dozier was locking down any and all vertical routes that came his way, completely negating the competition's WR1, and his ability to anticipate routes and trigger on the football with quickness made for some smooth and impressive undercuts and plays on the ball throughout the 7v7 games. The NDSU commit's side of the field is closed until further notice.   [player_tooltip player_id='1735024' first='Bennett' last='Halverson'] (Orono) 2027. WR/TE. 6'2, 205 lbs.   Orono is going to have some new names in their receiving and pass-catching corps in 2025, and after seeing rising junior Bennett Halverson live last week at the Inspired Athletx 7v7 tournament, I think I found a potential top producer. Halverson, with good size and some positional versatility on both sides of the ball, was prolific in unpadded competition, producing maybe the most big plays of any pass-catcher and defensive back throughout the entire afternoon and looking good while doing it. Halverson produced one of the most explosive plays of the afternoon when he climbed the ladder and completely Mossed a helpless defensive back vs. Becker, and his ability to consistently separate, as well as win vertically, had defenses on their heels while trying to contain him. Multiple games with multiple receiving TDs, and he also made some beautiful reads and breaks on teh ball as a high defender, almost snagging a couple INTs throughout the day and proving himself to be Mr. Everything for Orono on that afternoon in nearby Minnetonka. Yet another new, electric name to the PRZMN radar from last week in Minnetonka.   Honorable Mentions   [player_tooltip player_id='592225' first='Ryder' last='Skanson'] (Maple Grove) 2026. LB. 6'1, 220 lbs.   The Air Force commit was one of the biggest eye catchers in attendance at the Inspired Athletx 7v7 tournament, as well as one of the most productive linebackers in coverage during the event. His ability to read and quickly drop into passing lanes resulted in some big-time explosive plays for his defense, most notably a forced INT that landed right in the breadbasket of fellow LB Beaux Theyen for what would have been a pick-six. Get out of this young man's way in 2025.   Beaux Theyen (Maple Grove) 2026. OLB. 5'9, 180 lbs.   One of the fastest linebackers in the state, Thyen is also one of the most dynamic, and he made a beautiful read on an underneath crosser against Edina that resulted in a pick-six and one of the most explosive defensive efforts PRzMN saw on the day. Thyen's ability to carry RBs deep and all over the field looked like that of a defensive back, but his instincts around the flats and hook/curls showed off his experience around the line of scrimmage in coverage.   [player_tooltip player_id='212361' first='Jabari' last='Strader'] (Edina) 2026. WR. 6'1, 180 lbs.   With Meyer Swinney off to Cal-Berkeley for college, 2025 is the season for [player_tooltip player_id='212361' first='Jabari' last='Strader'] to shine, and the Hornets WR1 going into the fall proved he was up to the task of playmaker last Thursday in Minnetonka. Strader, an always-smooth route runner, did a great job of converting contested catches for positive gains, and his route running ability was in full effect when he saw man coverage, as he showed a strong understanding of the route tree and how to separate. In one of the last games of the afternoon, when Edina saw Maple Grove in the semifinals, [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'] hit Strader on a beautiful back-shoulder fade that highlighted Strader's ball tracking ability, strong hands, and comfortability under the high ball, not the mention the ability to win vertically. Strader had a number of TDs and 2pt conversions to solidify himself as a go-to option for West. Should be a stock-rising season for the soon-to-be-senior.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMTdv4pSobL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='923839' first='Alex' last='White'] (Edina) 2026. WR/DB. 5'9, 160 lbs.   An explosive and reliable option out of the slot for Edina's passing attack, as well as a fast and physical cornerback out on the perimeter of the Hornet's defense, White had some serious speed and quickness to work with, and he showed he could separate, stack, and pull away from talented cornerbacks when working vertical. I liked White's competitiveness in-game as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'] (Minnetonka) 2026. RB. 6'1, 190 lbs.   A physical and reliable passing option for Minnetonka's offense, Francois was a monster at the catch point, ripping the ball out of DBs hands and owning 50/50 contested catches in dominant fashion. Big, strong, and physical, his run style and overall game showed up as a pass catcher as well. Plus, Francois was looking bigger and like he had put on weight, so I'm very interested to see how the Skippers use him in 2025. Go Cyclones!   [player_tooltip player_id='1049987' first='James' last='Fitch'] (Minnetonka) 2027. CB. 5'10, 175 lbs.   A multi-time Top Performer at the Minnesota Gophers' summer prospect camp, 2027 CB Fitch, a Champlin Park transfer, looked good in blue last week at the Inspired Athletx 7v7 tournament. With the top-end speed to carry any and all WRs deep, Fitch was also physical and effective in his punch at the LOS, and he was explosive when sticking and planting and breaking on the ball. Big addition to the Skippers defense, who is losing some star power to the 2025 graduation class.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602726' first='Simon' last='Vinton'] (Orono) 2026. TE. 6'5, 225 lbs.   A big, long, eye-catching target out of the slot as a flexed out TE, Vinton's length and COD ability are going to be a big asset for Orono in 2025, especially once the pads come on. This kid is athletic, and already is used to playing on both sides of the ball, so let's get the gamer some touches. If anyone has a chance of blowing up in their senior season to earn that always-coveted first D1 offer, I'd be watching Vinton.   Nolan Johnson (Owatonna) 2027. CB. 5'9, 160 lbs.   I didn't get to watch Owatonna very much during the Inspired Athletx 7v7 tourney, and although they took some licks against the Big School 6A competition, they popped off some strong plays on both sides of the ball, and in particular, on defense. Rising junior CB Johnson showed good instincts and some sticky COD ability, and he had some especially impressive goal line wins against speedy 6A WRs. Johnson looks physical, athletic, and ready for the task of Minnesota 5A ball. Another new name to add to the 2027 PRZMN radar!   --

For the second year in a row, Inspried Athletx, a high performance physical therapy and athletic training team with facilities in Golden Valley and Delano, put on one of the best 7v7 events of the summer, welcoming the likes of the hosting Minnetonka Skippers, the defending Class 6A runner-up, defending 6A state champions Maple Grove, defending 4A state champions Becker, 6A state quarterfinalist Edina, 5A state semifinalist Owatonna, and 4A state semifinalist Orono, as well as the Fridley Tigers and Minnetonka's JV squad after Blaine dropped late, this 7v7 competition was STACKED, and even with all the hype coming in, the Inspired Athletx 7v7 Invite more than lived up to the hype. With the Maple Grove Crimson coming out on top for the second year in a row, check out the exclusive coverage from the loaded preseason, unpadded, skills-only 7v7 tourney, only on PrepRedzoneMN.