Week 4 Top Performers

We're now halfway through the 2025 season, and what a season it has been so far. We've seen electric games from athletes across the state, proving how high-level some of the talent is in the great north. I've found nine athletes spanning three classes who have had elite Week 4s, and I'm excited to share them with you!   ATH: [player_tooltip player_id='1425960' first='Jaidyn' last='Garibaldi'], 5'10" 165 lbs, Benilde St. Margarets 2026   It would not be hyperbole to say that Garibaldi has been one of the biggest driving forces in the Red Knights' success this season. In a 21-16 win over SMB, Garibaldi was doing it all. He took 7 carries and 1 reception for 124 total yards and all 3 of Benilde's touchdowns on the evening. He also tallied 4 tackles and 2 pass breakups on the defensive side of the ball. He's been racking up touchdowns, with a total of 7 in the last two weeks. Keep an eye out for this 2026 baller.   RB: [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle'], 5'8" 180 lbs, Maple Grove 2026   Engle has been playing like a Mr. Minnesota Football Finalist through 4 weeks, and has gone a long way toward cementing himself as the best back in the state. He carried the ball a whopping 28 times against a tough Edina squad and ended the day with an insane 242 rushing yards and 3 TDs while averaging 8.6 ypc. He also had his best receiving game of the season with a 43-yard TD reception. MSU got a steal in Engle.   RB:/DB Miles Gish, 5'8" 130 lbs, Bemidji 2026   Gish had the best game of his senior season last Friday, and his success was spread across the field. He took the rock 14 times, close to a season high, for 183 yards, which was a season high. He averaged an astounding 13.1 YPC and found the endzone twice, doubling his season total before the game. He also caught a ball for 10 yards and came down with an interception on defense. Bemidji is one of the best 2-2 teams in its class, and Gish is a large part of that success.   ATH: [player_tooltip player_id='1904817' first='Trevor' last='Larson'], 5'9" 160 lbs, Bemidji 2026   Bemidji has a two-headed monster out of its backfield, and Larson is the other half of that dangerous duo. He got a season high 15 carries in their win against Sauk Rapids, in which he ran for a season high 81 yards and another season high 2 TDs. Larson also made an impact on the defensive side of the ball, where he brought down a TFL, six total tackles, and his first interception of the year as well. Keep an eye out for this two-way threat from Bemidji.   WR/DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1581356' first='Ethan' last='Elwood'], 5'11" 165 lbs, Sauk Rapids-Rice 2026   Elwood had his best game of his senior campaign last week, and it wasn't even close. Out of the 14 completions for the Storm last Friday, Elwood caught 8 of those balls for an impressive 155 yards and 2 TDs. All throughout his stat line, he had career highs, and he nearly tripled what his expected yardage was. He also had one of his best nights yet defensively, bringing down 3 tackles and a fumble recovery. What a night from the 2026 standout.   RB: Kody Aikens, 5'11" 175 lbs, Park of Cottage Grove 2026   Talk about career games, Aikens had a breakout performance against Hopkins, blowing his previous season totals out of the water with a fantastic showing. He might've led the state in carries last week with an astounding 34, twice as many as his previous high this season. He took those 34 carries for a wild 228 yards, nearly 4x his previous best, and 3 TDs while averaging a great 6.7 YPC. He also caught 2 balls for 9 yards and had 3 kick returns for 51 yards. What a game from the Park senior.   QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1651164' first='Tre' last='Moore'], 6'0" 175 lbs, Hopkins 2028   Moore continues to show why he's one of, if not the best, 2028 prospects in the state. He went 7/15 (46.7%) for 123 yards and 2 TDs through the air while cumulating a season-best 114.7 passer rating. He also cemented his status as a dual-threat QB with his best rushing performance to date. He had his 3rd straight game of 10+ carries (11) this week, and this time he rushed for 77 yards and another season-best 2 rushing TDs. When Moore is on, he's one of the best athletes in his class.   WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1522278' first='Jayden' last='Moore'], 6'0" 170 lbs, Hopkins 2026   Speaking of Hopkins athletes who had monster offensive games, [player_tooltip player_id='1522278' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] was a dual-threat for the Royals last Friday. He had one of his better receiving performances of the season, catching 4 balls for 83 yards and both of the team's receiving touchdowns on the night. But what really stood out to me was his time as a ball carrier. Moore took a carry for 43 yards to the house early in the 4th to put the final nail in the Wolfpack's coffin. A big-time showing from the two-sport standout.   QB: Ethan Thorsen, 6'5" 195 lbs, North Branch 2026   When I tell you Thorsen is perhaps one of the biggest diamonds in the rough in 4A football, I mean it. He boasts an elite frame and put forth a brilliant performance with both his arms and his legs. He went 7/7 for 104 passing yards and a passing TD, and had a perfect 158.3 passer rating. But the real damage was done on the ground. On only 7, yes, 7 carries, Thorsen rushed for 201 yards and 2 TDs. This is an Isaiah Rodgers-level performance from Thorsen, and I hope he's able to replicate that success.

We're now halfway through the 2025 season, and what a season it has been so far. We've seen electric games from athletes across the state, proving how high-level some of the talent is in the great north. I've found nine athletes spanning three classes who have had elite Week 4s, and I'm excited to share them with you!