PrepRedzoneMN's Heroes of Week 1

Week 1 of the 2025 Minnesota high school football season more than lived up to the hype, as we saw heavyweight showdowns, upsets, shootouts, and some very exciting new classification promotions that saw Minnesota high school programs break onto the scene and tell the state that yes, they are the real deal in 2025. With these big wins, there were, of course, outstanding personal efforts and Game Heroes that showed up and showed out on Thursday and Friday night. PrepRedzoneMN's Heroes of Week 1 are below!   --   SMB 21, Winona 14   I can't lie, this is my personal biggest score line of the entire Week 1 schedule. SMB, former state champions in the not-so-distant-past, have only won two games in the past two seasons, one of which came against newly-formed Twin Cities Charter, and their rising sophomore quarterback got hurt and is out for the season prior to fall camp starting, so to say that I thought they'd beat Winona in Week 1 of the 2025 season would be a straight-up lie. Well, in stepped 2030, yes, 2030, quarterback and star hooper Carter Cupito - a Phelps Falcons product, shoutout Phelps. The son of former Gophers QB Bryan Cupito, Carter apparently has ice in his veins, and he lead SMB to a Week 1 win against an always-feisty Winhawks program while showing off arm talent and poise well above his years. The film is linked below. Could SMB be back on the rise? Only time will tell, but what I am much more confident in proclaiming is that Carter Cupito is a DOG, and an early choice for the #1 ranked 2030 in the Great State of Minnesota.   Hero = Carter Cupito (SMB) 2030!! QB.   [player_tooltip player_id='1648445' first='Aiden' last='Wilson'] (SMB) 2026. RB/SS. 5'10, 175 lbs. - 49 rushing yards, 12 passing yards on a completion, 16 tackles, 5 solo, 1 PBU   #5 on SMB - took a curl or a hitch, spun out of a tackle, and took the ball to the house for a 56-yard scamper in a beautiful display of contact balance and top-end speed. Too bad SMB doesn't even have a roster inputted to MaxPreps or MNFootballHub, so I have no idea who I'm looking at.   <a href="https://fan.hudl.com/usa/mn/minneapolis/organization/19107/minnehahaspablake-high-school/team/119054/boys-varsity-football/watch?hr=SGlnaGxpZ2h0UmVlbFN1bW1hcnk2OGIzODlkODBhMzhmNmQ0YmY4NjVkNWQ%3D&ot=TEAM&oi=119054">https://fan.hudl.com/usa/mn/minneapolis/organization/19107/minnehahaspablake-high-school/team/119054/boys-varsity-football/watch?hr=SGlnaGxpZ2h0UmVlbFN1bW1hcnk2OGIzODlkODBhMzhmNmQ0YmY4NjVkNWQ%3D&ot=TEAM&oi=119054</a>   Edina 49, Hopkins 21   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='1522278' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] (Hopkins) 10 for 202 and 3 TDs in the loss   One of the few Heroes to come out of a losing effort by their program, [player_tooltip player_id='1522278' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] was nothing short of electric against a stingy and talented defense of the Hornets. With rare, explosive burst and the top-end speed that can easily outpace pursuit angles from 6A defensive backs, Moore is one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in Minnesota and is capable of taking the ball to the house any time he touches the rock. The Moore to Moore connection in 2025 is going to be nuts.   --   Farmington 35, Eastview 28   6A on 6A violence here, and a good win for Farmington. Eastview, in the multiple exposure points I got on the Lightning this summer, were returning some pieces, and they competed well at the Bemidji State Big School Team Camp. Lots of new shoes stepping up for the Tigers, and it looks like these new faces, as well as the returners, specifically on the defense, have the juice.   Heroes: Ty Beck (Farmington) 8 rushes for 136 yards and a TD   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TyBeck2027/status/1961611396434555324 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1255138' first='Chris' last='Rehak'] (Farmington) 2026. LB/RB. 5'10, 205 lbs. - Popped off 12 for 106 and 2 TDs   Hastings 20, New Prague 17   Another game I wish PrepRedzoneMN could have gotten some eyes on, both Hastings and New Prague have some very exciting pieces, but the cream always rises to the top, and in this Week 1 5A matchup, that cream was Hastings RB Zack Shatek. Big-time players can take over games, and Shatek was simultaneously a workhorse as well as a splash play machine, and if you got to see him - and his testing numbers - on the 2025 Summer Camp Circuit, it won't come as much of a surprise. This kid's stat line is going to continue to impress in 2025.   Hero = Zack Shatek (Hastings) 2027. RB. - Popped off 35 rushes for 215 yards and 3 TDs   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Zack_Shatek/status/1961820282819129816 </div></figure>   HM: Matthew Foss (Hastings) 2026. WR. 6'1, 180 lbs. - 6 catches for 99 yards   Carter Den Hartog (New Prague) 2027. QB. 15-21 (71%) for 231 yards and 2 TDs   Elk River 50, Bemidji 42   Man, what a shootout out of the 5A ranks. I think Bemidji is legit this year folks, and it's just because of this scoreline. Additionally, Elk River looks like the Top Dawg in Class 5A yet again, and they have a plethora of playmakers and RBs, that can hurt you. The Elks had three RBs nearly hit the century rushing mark against the Lumberjacks, with RB [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'] finishing with 12 carries for 97 yards and a TD, and this Week 1 matchup.   Hero: Braedon Becker (Elk River) - 7 rushes for 172 yards and 3 TDs   HM: [player_tooltip player_id='1120521' first='Carsyn' last='Kleffman'] (Elk River) 11 rushes for 159 yards and 2 TDs   [player_tooltip player_id='1009970' first='Logan' last='Phonethep'] (Bemidji) 2027. RB/LB. 22 catches for 136 yards and 3 TDs   Miles Gish (Bemidji) 2026. 5'10, 160 lbs. ATH. - 11 carries for 119 yards, 1 reception for 21 yards   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/gish_miles00/status/1961610591396639134 </div></figure>   Chanhassen 24, Alexandria 22   Another big-time Week 1 matchup from Class 5A, this time with 2024 5A runner-up Alexandria and 2024 semifinalist Chanhassen, who returned a wild three-headed offensive monster of QB [player_tooltip player_id='1255909' first='Nathan' last='Ramler'], Arkansas TE commit [player_tooltip player_id='1104843' first='Kade' last='Bush'], and WR and track demon [player_tooltip player_id='1528749' first='James' last='Kopfmann']. Ramler had himself a day, proving his experience and poise in the big moment, and found a reliable target in the future SEC standout Bush. Additionally, I heard 2027 DL Tim Schuller, a 2027 6'2, 220 lber. out of Chanhassen, had himself a strong day against a talented and beefy Alex OL. Could be a fun name to watch in the 2025 pass rushing 5A ranks. I also want to give a shoutout to Talan Witt, a NSIC basketball commit, who is stepping into the shoes of Chase Thompson, who went off to Clemson to play some hoops as well. Those are big shoes to fill, but Witt went toe-to-toe with one of 5A's biggest heavyweights in his first start under center.   Hero: [player_tooltip player_id='1255909' first='Nathan' last='Ramler'] (Chanhassen) 2026. QB. 6'5, 220 lbs. - Went 28-45 (62%) for 356 yards and 2 TDs   HM: [player_tooltip player_id='1104843' first='Kade' last='Bush'] (Chanhassen) 2026. TE. 6'5, 220 lbs. - 7 catches for 110 yards and a TD   Talan Witt (Alexandria) 2026. QB. Committed to Southwest Minnesota State to play basketball. Popped off for 17-25 (68%) for 183 yards and 2 TDs   Cambridge-Isanti 21, Sartell-St. Stephen 14   It was the Peyton Coplan show in Cambridge on Thursday night. The junior RB scored 18 of the Bluejackets' 21 points, and the hosting Cambridge-Isanti squad pulled off a one-score victory to open their 2025 season after going 0-9 in 2024. The times are a changin'!   Hero = Peyton Coplan (Cambridge-Isanti) 2027. RB. 5'11, 170 lbs. - Popped off for 25 rushes for 121 and 3 TDs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22613527/68b439bf2c53745973e17dce">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22613527/68b439bf2c53745973e17dce</a>   --   Goodhue 21, Triton 14   Massive AA showdown here, and dare I say, upset. Goodhue, who went 11-1 in 2024 as a Class A competitor and finished as a state quarterfinalist, knocked off defending Class AA quarterfinalist Triton, who return one of the more athletic offensive skill corps in MN small school football. This includes Penn State TE commit [player_tooltip player_id='1255902' first='Pierce' last='Petersohn'], who was outdone by his Wildcat counterparts, most notably [player_tooltip player_id='936541' first='Jack' last='Carlson'] and Alex Loos, who both had big nights against a stingy 2025 Triton roster. Make sure to follow Goodhue in 2025, this looks like it could be a fun season for the Wildcats' faithful.   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='936541' first='Jack' last='Carlson'] (Goodhue) 2026. 6', 215 lbs. RB/LB. - 19 carries for 83 yards and a TD   HM: Alex Loos (Goodhue) 2028. 6'3, 210 lbs. - 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 sacks   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18077543/68b12fedea4dbf27f18111c9">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18077543/68b12fedea4dbf27f18111c9</a>   --   Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 18, New York Mills 12   Class A showdown here, with BBE and NYM doing battle in a Section 5 vs Section 6 slugfest. Senior WR Kameron Hiltner, also a hooper on BBE's basketball squad, was the explosive option of the Week 1 competition, and was the easy choice for the game's Hero, as well as one of Class A's overall to boot. Unfortunately, no film available.   Hero = Kameron Hiltner (Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa) 2026. WR. - Popped off for 3 catches for 140 yards and a TD   --   Albany 21, Litchfield 19   Two of the more underrated talent factories in Minnesota AAA and small school football, Albany and Litchfield, a Section 6AAA matchup going down in Week 1, Albany squeezed out a tight one against a Litchfield squad whose offensive unit is stacked at key positions. Two-point victory must have been a thrilling Week 1 competition to open the 2025 season for Albany, a perennial AAA contender, in particular.   Hero = Jake Buttweiler (Albany) 202. TE/DE. 6'2, 225 lbs. 14 tackles   HM: Carter Fischer (Albany) - 2 rushing TDs   Alexander Medina-Lizarraga (Litchfield) QB/ATH. - 9-16 for 84 yards, 18 rushes for 136 yards and 2 TDs   --   St. Louis Park 27, Minneapolis Southwest 21   I always like geographic showdowns and rivalries, and the physical Southwest vs. SLP 7v7 matchups from my youth still ring fresh in my mind. I was stoked for this Week 1 matchup, but unfortunately, my alma mater came out on the losing end of what was a highly-contested Week 1 battle for both sides. This came down to overtime as well. Hope to see Southwest bounce back from this one; lot of football left in 2025.   Hero: [player_tooltip player_id='551390' first='Mason' last='Helfmann'] (St. Louis Park) 2026. 5'10, 200 lbs. RB/LB. Committed to St. Thomas - Popped off for 32 rushes for 248 yards and 3 TDs   HM: Dominic Barth (St. Louis Park) 2026. DB. 5'8, 150 lbs. - Pick-six and three tackles   [player_tooltip player_id='1552130' first='Leif' last='Kranz'] (Southwest) 2027. - Popped off for 8 tackles, 3 sacks   Evan Spear (Southwest) 2026. LB. - 19 tackles, 5 TFLs   Hank Walker (Southwest) 2027. LB/RB. 6', 190 lbs. - 12 tackles, 2 TFLs   Riley Orr (Southwest) 2026. OLB. - 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 TFL   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/leifkranz14/status/1961862030878486851 </div></figure>   Dawson-Boyd 7, Murray County Central 0   Nothing like a one-score, Class A slugfest to kick off your 2025 season! Dawson-Boyd, who went 7-3 in 2024, showed that they can gut tough tight victories, have their playmakers step up in crunch time, and like all great postgame football quote books, handle adversity. [player_tooltip player_id='481531' first='Nathan' last='Hansen'], a long-time stud recruit in the 2026 class, scored the game-winning, go-ahead score in the first quarter.   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='481531' first='Nathan' last='Hansen'] (Dawson-Boyd) 2026. ATH. 6', 180 lbs. - Rushing TD   Ace Larson (Dawson-Boyd) - 9 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack   --   Orono 21, Becker 0   One of the most eye-catching results of Minnesota's Week 1 action, defending Class 4 semifinalist Orono blanketed defending Class 4A champion Becker, picking off Becker's 2027 QB three times and seeing some new names rise to the occasion and fill a small talent vacuum from the 2025 class and the high school transfer portal. However, familiar faces stole the show, as powerhouse RB [player_tooltip player_id='1602718' first='Rory' last='Kvern'] churned his way into a strong Week 1 rushing effort, and his 6'3, 200 lb. SS counterpart [player_tooltip player_id='1602677' first='Dane' last='Kanwischer'] came through big-time on defense. Becker, always physical, technically-sound, and sporting some exceptional two-way talent, is going to have to figure some things out offensively if they hope to repeat as state champs, but there's a lot of football left in the 2025 season.   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='1602718' first='Rory' last='Kvern'] (Orono) 2026. RB. 6'1, 205 lbs. - Popped off for 18 carries for 91 yards and a TD   HM: [player_tooltip player_id='1602677' first='Dane' last='Kanwischer'] (Orono) 2026. SAF. 6'3, 200 lbs. - 5 tackles, 1 INT   --   Apple Valley 35, Rochester John Marshall 29   Yeah, we have a star on our hands in Apple Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='1255129' first='Q' last='Barnslater']. The North Dakota State WR commit has switched to QB for the Eagles' 2025 campaign, and boy does he look smooth manning the QB spot. Either on TikTok or Instagram, Barnslater was the closest thing I've seen to Lamar Jackson in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and his twitchiness and fluidity with the ball in-hand is a fun sight under Friday Night Lights. In a Week 1 thriller against Rochester John Marshall, who can put up points in their own right with QB1 [player_tooltip player_id='1120576' first='Savy' last='Vath'], the Eagles showed they can both put up points and squeak out tight victories over quality opponents, all in Week 1 of the 2025 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1255129' first='Q' last='Barnslater'] (Apple Valley) 2026. QB/WR/ATH. 6'1, 165 lbs. - Went 8 for 13 for 104 yards passing and 2 TDs and 0 INTs + 17 rushes for 75 yards and 1 TD on the ground   Akit'j Williams (Rochester John Marshall) 2027. WR. 6'2, 180 lbs. - 6 receptions for 155 yards and a TD   [player_tooltip player_id='1255912' first='Tylan' last='Ward Jr']. (Apple Valley) 2026. DB/ATH. - Returned a kickoff back for a TD in the third quarter   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17842519/68b295475a5ae08122050834">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17842519/68b295475a5ae08122050834</a>   Brainerd 28, Buffalo 27   Lots to unpack here. Buffalo, in their first season down in Class 5A, took a tough loss to Brainerd, but I think this says more about Brainerd than it does Buffalo. The Warriors started 2028 signal-caller [player_tooltip player_id='1683410' first='Bo' last='Schwartz'] Week 1 of the regular season, and this kid looks like a winner, showing off accuracy, ball security, and a big arm in what was a narrow and thrilling victory over a big and physical Buffalo squad with a talented QB in their own right. Additionally, I think RB [player_tooltip player_id='1652933' first='Jayden' last='Barnum'] is due for a MASSIVE 2025 season, as the well-built and athletic RB, a 2025 PRZMN Showcase standout who blew the roof off of the event, and is on my shortlist of potential breakout stars of the 2025 campaign. Buffalo is going to bounce back fine, in my opinion, and as I've said earlier in this piece, there's a lot of football left this season.   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='1683410' first='Bo' last='Schwartz'] (Brainerd) 2028. QB. First varsity start - 14-18 for 205 yards and a TD   HM: [player_tooltip player_id='1652933' first='Jayden' last='Barnum'] (Brainerd) RB. - 30 carries for 123 yards and 2 TDs, one catch for 37 yards   [player_tooltip player_id='1201408' first='Grant' last='Benson'] (Buffalo) 2026. QB. 6'4, 205 lbs. - 17-32 (53%) for 304 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT + 20 carries for 133 yards and 3 TDs   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Bo_schwartz09/status/1962896604387496344 </div></figure>   Mahtomedi 21, Mankato West 19   I think 2025 is going to be one of the strongest years in the city of Mankato's prep football history, as both East and West possess size, physicality, and star power at the top end. However, Mahtomedi had something to say about Mankato West getting off to a hot start in 2025, smothering the Scarlets' Week 1 efforts and squeezing out a narrow two-point victory thanks to a dynamic rushing attack, led by verified speedster [player_tooltip player_id='1633472' first='Gavin' last='Kruse']. Mankato West is going to be able to bounce back fine, but I also think Maht has inserted themselves into the 5A conversation in a big way. Also, Kruse is about to have a big year, as the stat line suggests.   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='1633472' first='Gavin' last='Kruse'] (Mahtomedi) 2027. RB. - 2 carries for 82 yards and a TD   HM: Jacob Reubish (Mahtomedi) 2026. RB. - 20 carries for 98 yards and a TD   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18258942/68b66f990a38f6d4bf8c3784">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18258942/68b66f990a38f6d4bf8c3784</a>   Blaine 21, Lakeville North 14   I think the regional power dynamic in Class 6A has shifted from the south suburbs to the northern suburbs, and the results from Week 1's action back up that suggestion. One example is the Blaine vs. Lakeville North finish, with the Bengals, despite the lynchpin of their 2024 offense and past season's success graduating and heading to the Air Force Academy, had some. new names step up in a big way, and. on both sides of the ball to boot.   Hero = Jameson Niska (Blaine) 2027. ATH. - 9-14 for 155 yards and a TD, 16 carries for 81 yards and 2 TDs   HM: Charlie Ramacher (Blaine) 2026. DB. 5'10, 155 lbs. - 13 tackles, 1 INT   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17806362/68b27431c56be32377780a5a">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17806362/68b27431c56be32377780a5a</a>   --   Forest Lake 21, Prior Lake 18   One of the craziest finishes of Minnesota's Week 1 action, 6A "Lake" heavyweights Forest Lake and Prior Lake did battle at the home of the Rangers, with the hotly-contested 6A showdown coming down to the game's final minute. In electric fashion, FL stopped PL on the 6-yard line with a minute left, sealing the home victory in front of a rowdy Rangers home crowd that set the tone for what should be a memorable 2025 campaign for Forest Lake. In what should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, Forest Lake superstar of a 2027 tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1289874' first='Mack' last='Jurkovich'] stole the show, one again showing off his big-play ability in explosive fashion. Defenses have trouble touching this kid, much less tackling him. Easy choice for the game's hero.   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='1289874' first='Mack' last='Jurkovich'] (Forest Lake) 2027. RB. - 13 rushes for 142 yards and 1 TD   HM: [player_tooltip player_id='592117' first='Howie' last='Johnson'] (Forest Lake) 2026. DL. 6'3, 260 lbs. - 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack   [player_tooltip player_id='592231' first='Prince' last='Faulk'] (Prior Lake) 2026. DL. 6'4, 255 lbs. 8 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack   [player_tooltip player_id='1522534' first='Colten' last='Gunderson'] (Prior Lake) 2026. WR. 6'7, 205 lbs. - 4 catches for 57 yards and 2 TDs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17533559/68b3dcf7020d971d5477b172">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17533559/68b3dcf7020d971d5477b172</a>   Andover 44, Wayzata 20   For the sake of transparency, I was bullish on Wayzata going into the 2025 season, potentially Top 5 in Class 6A bullish, but the Trojans are going to need to figure some things out quick if they want to make some serious noise in 2025. However, Andover's inaugural Class 6A contest couldn't have gone much better, as a masterpiece of an individual rushing effort by Andover's 2026 QB Joe Mapson. Despite a rocket of an arm that had PrepRedzoneMN VERY excited all offseason, Mapson got it done with his legs, rushing for 216 yards and 5 TDs, inserting themselves into the Class 6A discussion in what was one of the most impactful results of MN's Week 1. Be careful, folks, Andover may be here for the long haul.   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='1491934' first='Joseph' last='Mapson'] (Andover) 21 rushes for 216 yards and 5 TDs , 8 for 17 for 83 yards and a TD   HM: Nolan LaPointe (Andover) 2026. LB. 6', 220 lbs. - 9 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 FF   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17749329/68b33259a110f1fab6a1a5ed">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17749329/68b33259a110f1fab6a1a5ed</a>   Stewartville 25, Benilde-St. Margaret's 6   This is one of my most notable score lines and results of Minnesota's Week 1. Stewartville, the defending Class 3A state champions who went undefeated in 2024, kept the good times rolling in their inaugural season up in Class 4A. Facing Benilde-St. Margaret's, who always seem to put together a tough roster but did lose blue-chipper DaJohn Yarborough to the high school transfer portal, got the breaks beat off them by a Stewie team that graduated the most talented senior class in MN small school football last year. [player_tooltip player_id='1602765' first='Malik' last='Abdi'], a big-time speedster and a good hooper on the Tigers basketball team, was our hero of the game, stepping into a much larger role in 2025 and stepping up as the #1 playmaker for Stewie this season.   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='1602765' first='Malik' last='Abdi'] (Stewartville) 2026. RB. 5'11, 185 lbs. - 24 rushes 163 yards and 1 TD   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MNHSFBNETWORK/status/1961544578361881022 </div></figure>   Armstrong 41, Burnsville 21   Tough Week 1 look for Burnsville, who dropped down from Class 6A for the 2025 season, but I think this says more about Armstrong than it does the Blaze. Despite the graduation of a TON of talent from the Falcons' 2025 class, namely star RB Kevon Johnson, Robbinsdale Armstrong is once again a Top Dog in Class 5A, and they had some new names step up to the plate and show up in big-time fashion during Week 1. Namely, QB Gabe Hall,   Hero = Gabe Hall (Armstrong) 14-19 (74%) for 255 yards and 3 TDs and 2 INTs, also 11 rushes for 69 yards and a TD   HM: [player_tooltip player_id='1606273' first='Farelle' last='Deline'] (Armstrong) 2026. WR. 6', 170 lbs. - 5 catches for 93 yards and 2 TDs   Cal Pilon (Armstong) 2026. LB. 6'2, 210 lbs. - 11 tackles, 2 sacks   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/calan_pilon/status/1961851300586373259 </div></figure>   St. Paul Johnson 57, St. Agnes 30   Two seasons in a row and we have St. Paul Johnson WR [player_tooltip player_id='551376' first='Justice' last='Moody'] taking over the headlines of Minnesota's Week 1. August is just Mr. Moody's time, and he went off in a big way against St. Agnes, who are always a sleepy tough team out of the 651. Moody, as well as his recruitment, are very much in my crosshairs in 2025. St. Paul city kids have been underrated and overlooked and this dude is too smooth and too talented to not be on a college roster next year.   Hero = [player_tooltip player_id='551376' first='Justice' last='Moody'] (St. Paul Johnson) 2026. WR. - 3 carries for 128 yards and 2 TDs, 2 receptions for 75 yards and a TD   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Justice8Moody/status/1961815257870946574 </div></figure>   Mountain Iron-Buhl 36, Cherry 34   Both MIB and Cherry bumped up from Class 9Man to Class A in 2025, and they both kicked their seasons off with one of the closest geographic rivalries in the state. Cherry High School, with its Asuma star power, is always going to put up points, but Mountain Iron-Buhl showed that despite a massive graduation of talent from the 2025 class they can still compete and score points with the best of them. Additionally, MIB showed they have some grit, coming back from 26 points down (!) for what was a wild and memorable Week 1 comeback victory to kick off the 2025 season. I'll be keeping an eye on both these teams introductory season to Class A in 2025, especially Cherry, whose stats and game film are hard to acquire, even with Minnesota Gophers baseball commit [player_tooltip player_id='592118' first='Noah' last='Asuma'], the team's RB.   Hero= [player_tooltip player_id='591741' first='Caleb' last='Rossi'] (Mountain Iron-Buhl) 2026. QB. - 9-12 for 181 yards and 2 TDs, 19 carries for 172 yards and a TD, 7 tackles and 3 TFLs   Izaiah Alto (Mountain Iron-Buhl) 2027. LB. - 11 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 catches for 44 yards and a TD   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Caleb_Rossi15/status/1961910116145389691 </div></figure>

Week 1 of the 2025 Minnesota high school football season more than lived up to the hype, as we saw heavyweight showdowns, upsets, shootouts, and some very exciting new classification promotions that saw Minnesota high school programs break onto the scene and tell the state that yes, they are the real deal in 2025. With these big wins, there were, of course, outstanding personal efforts and Game Heroes that showed up and showed out on Thursday and Friday night. PrepRedzoneMN's Heroes of Week 1 are below!