2025 Preseason Preview – Forest Lake High School

Forest Lake enters 2025 with high hopes. With most of the roster returning, including several key contributors, The Rangers are well-positioned to compete for conference and section titles. The blend of returning talent and new players ready to step up creates an exciting foundation for the year ahead.   The offense is built on physicality. The focus is on controlling the line of scrimmage with a strong running game, but the team has the versatility to stretch the field when needed. They're a run-first, gap-scheme offense that thrives on wearing down opponents. The plan is simple: move the ball efficiently, limit turnovers, and keep defenses guessing with a balanced attack.    Forest Lake ranked among the top five in the state for rushing yards over the past few seasons.   Here are some players to watch:   At the helm of this offense is quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='743253' first='Connor' last='Johnson'], who has earned the trust of his coaches as the "point guard" of the team. Johnson is a dual-threat quarterback who can both pass and run with equal effectiveness. He's got a calm presence in the pocket and the ability to make plays when things break down. Whether he's getting the ball to his teammates or taking matters into his own hands, Johnson will be the key to moving the offense forward.   The backfield will be led by [player_tooltip player_id='1289874' first='Mack' last='Jurkovich'], who is coming off a stellar sophomore season in which he ran for 1,200 yards. Jurkovich is a shifty, tough runner with the ability to break long runs. His agility and vision allow him to turn short gains into bigger plays, and he's poised to take on an even bigger role this year as he continues to develop physically. He's also a strong blocker, which will help protect Johnson in the pocket.   Forest Lake's receiving corps is loaded with talent, starting with [player_tooltip player_id='1602774' first='Kevin' last='Ndirangu']. Ndirangu is the ultimate versatile player. He can line up as a running back, tight end, slot receiver, or outside receiver, and he does it all. Last year, he totaled over 500 rushing yards and more than 100 receiving yards, and he's set to make an even bigger impact this year. His ability to run, catch, and block gives the offense a ton of flexibility and makes him a key player in all situations.   [player_tooltip player_id='743254' first='DJ' last='Westman'] is another player to watch. With his elite speed and quickness, Westman is a downfield threat who can stretch the defense both vertically and horizontally. He's also effective in the run game, adding another layer to Forest Lake's diverse offense. Westman's ability to make defenders miss and break away for big plays makes him a constant danger.   Mike Cassava rounds out the receiving corps. He's a precise route runner with top-end speed, able to create separation from defenders. Cassava's ability to catch passes at all levels of the field, whether it's a quick slant or a deep ball, gives Johnson another reliable target to work with.   At tight end, [player_tooltip player_id='1688607' first='Jacob' last='Rehfeld'] brings leadership and toughness. Described as the "heartbeat" of the team, Rehfeld is a strong blocker who can also contribute in the passing game. His versatility and leadership make him an essential part of the offense, whether he's helping to create running lanes or making clutch catches in the red zone.   Up front, Forest Lake is anchored by two experienced offensive linemen, Alex Knies and Jack Chelgren. Knies, a 6'3", 260-pound junior, and Chelgren, a 6'3", 270-pound senior, will be crucial in executing the team's physical run game. Their size and strength provide stability on the offensive line, and their ability to dominate up front will help clear running lanes and protect the pocket.   The Rangers defense is led by standout [player_tooltip player_id='592117' first='Howie' last='Johnson']. Arguably the best player in the state, Johnson is a force to be reckoned with, capable of rushing the passer, stopping the run, and collapsing the pocket. His ability to dominate at the point of attack makes him the cornerstone of the defensive front, and his presence will command attention from opposing offenses.   Joining Johnson on the line is Nate Schleif, a captain and one of the toughest players on the team. Schleif's his strength and relentless motor make him a standout. He's an excellent pass rusher who can bend around blockers and get into the backfield to disrupt plays.    At nose tackle, Andrew Johnson provides the strength to clog up running lanes and occupy blockers. His job is to hold the line and free up the linebackers to make plays. Johnson's ability to control the middle of the defensive line gives the team a strong foundation up front.   The linebacking corps is led by Cullen Christensen and AJ Degerstrom's, two of the toughest players on the team. Christensen, a wrestler, and Dagerstrom, a hockey player, both bring physicality and grit to the linebacker position. They're strong in both the run and pass games, capable of setting the edge and rushing the passer when needed. These two outside linebackers are key to Forest Lake's defensive success.   In the middle, Derrick Loomis steps into a starting role after gaining valuable experience as a sophomore. Loomis is a smart, instinctive linebacker who can read plays and make tackles in space. His ability to stay disciplined in the middle will help stabilize the defense and prevent big plays.   The secondary features [player_tooltip player_id='1579132' first='Ndifor' last='Tamukong'], a lanky, fast cornerback with the ability to cover a wide range of receivers. Tamukong is an asset in both coverage and run support, capable of making plays all over the field. At safety, [player_tooltip player_id='1752265' first='Brooks' last='Rohne'] provides versatility and range. He's excellent in coverage, capable of playing deep or moving up to support the run game. Rohne's ability to make plays in all areas of the secondary gives Forest Lake a strong back end.   Kicker [player_tooltip player_id='1648486' first='Jayden' last='Onuonga'] headlines Forest Lake's special teams with exceptional leg strength. Capable of kicking the ball out of the end zone on kickoffs and converting long field goals, Onuonga adds a powerful weapon to Forest Lake's already well-rounded team. His consistency and range make him a game-changer in the kicking game.

Forest Lake enters 2025 with high hopes. With most of the roster returning, including several key contributors, The Rangers are well-positioned to compete for conference and section titles. The blend of returning talent and new players ready to step up creates an exciting foundation for the year ahead.