PrepRedzoneMN 2025 Regular Season Awards and Superlatives

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Minnesota sectional playoff tournament is well underway, and given the lightning-quick nature of the prep football season overall, <em>PRZMN</em> is excited to publish some "regular season only" coverage in this shrinking window for <em>PRZMN</em> readers. A seasonal favorite to research and publish for <em>PRZMN</em>, the Regular Season Awards and Superlatives feature is a litmus test of MN prep football comprehensive knowledge that should cover the entire state's geographic and classification diversity, as well as remind the reader on some of the state's best stories and performances from Albert Lea to International Falls. Hopefully, this special article covers all your bases from the regular season, because we have tons of playoff coverage and content coming in hot the rest of the week and beyond. No better time to be subscribed than now! Check out the <em>PRZMN</em> 2025 Regular Season Awards and Superlatives below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Player of the Regular Season:</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss'] </strong>(<em>Jackson County Central</em>) 2026. ATH. 6'4, 230 lbs. Committed to Minnesota </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a tough choice, and one that <em>PRZMN</em> took seriously, but I think we have the right answer to the question of: "who was MN's 2025 regular season player of the year?" Between a wealth of talented peers and options, <em>Jackson County Central's</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss'] </strong>stood head &amp; shoulders above the competition, and not just because of his 6'4 frame. After the graduation of a loaded 2025 <em>Huskies</em> football class, <strong>Voss</strong> has truly had to put the team on his back this fall, stepping up as the only 11Man player in Minnesota to pass for over 1,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in 2025, and he's also led <em>JCC</em> to their fourth straight undefeated regular season and broke the <em>JCC</em> record for career passing TDs with his 50th career TD pass, which came against <em>Windom</em> in October. <strong>Voss</strong> also surpassed 5,000 career passing yards that game, and the Gophers commit rushed for his 50th career TD on the ground 10/9 vs. <em>Luverne</em> as well. <strong>Voss</strong> also won his 25th straight home game 10/3 vs. <em>Le Sueur-Henderson</em>. Additionally, this all comes after <strong>Voss</strong> suffered a season-ending injury that knocked him out of <em>JCC's</em> 2024 state quarterfinal matchup with <em>Norwood Young America</em>, and the combination of elite athleticism, <em>JCC's</em> small school dominance, how dynamic <strong>Voss</strong> is, and how much of a singular role and workload has in the defending Class AA champions were unmatched in any other prospects resume in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, with [player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer'] coming in second. We aren't going to see anything like <strong>Voss</strong> for a long time, folks. Enjoy his final postseason as a prep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Voss</strong> Regular Season stats: 83 rushes for 1139 yards and 17 TD's + 1303 yards passing and 15 TD's to only 2 int. + 1 reception for 39 yards </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PilotSports/status/1971735992324509775","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PilotSports/status/1971735992324509775 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mentions: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 6A: [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle'] (<em>Maple Grove)</em> Senior. RB. 5'8, 190 lbs. Committed to MSU-Mankato </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 5A: [player_tooltip player_id='1255909' first='Nathan' last='Ramler'] (<em>Chanhassen</em>) Senior. QB. 6'5, 220 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A: [player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer'] (<em>Byron</em>) Senior. ATH. 6'1, 190 lbs. Committed to MSU-Mankato </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class AAA: [player_tooltip player_id='1612765' first='Logan' last='Lachermeier'] (<em>MPLS North)</em> Senior. QB. 5'11, 160 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class AA: [player_tooltip player_id='1255144' first='Jaxon' last='Bartkowicz'] (<em>Holdingford</em>) Senior. QB/ATH. 6'4, 220 lbs. Committed to St. Thomas </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class A: [player_tooltip player_id='1633417' first='Parker' last='Kuehn'] (<em>Springfield</em>) Junior. QB. 6'3, 175 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 9Man: [player_tooltip player_id='1371692' first='Jamin' last='Metzger'] (<em>Hills-Beaver Creek</em>) Senior. QB. 6'5, 210 lbs. Committed to Sioux Falls </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player of the Midseason: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/prepredzonemn-2025-midseason-awards-and-superlatives/"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss']</strong> <em>(Jackson County Central)</em> 2026. ATH. Committed to Minnesota </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Comeback Player of the Regular Season: </em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257442' first='Isaiah' last='Turner'] </strong>(<em>Annandale</em>) Senior. RB. 6', 190 lbs. Uncommitted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The heart &amp; soul of the undefeated <em>Annandale Cardinals,</em> a Top 5 team in Class AAA, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257442' first='Isaiah' last='Turner']'s </strong>recovery from a horrific leg injury was covered well by<a href="https://twitter.com/SlipOffZay/status/1978954090068549939"> the <em>Minnesota StarTribune's </em>Chip Scoggins for a "Football Across Minnesota" special earlier this month</a>, has been nothing short of remarkable. The star RB for <em>Annandale's</em> 2024 leg injury required six surgeries over 12 days, resulting in a "compartment syndrome" diagnoses that could have resulted in amputation had it not been for his parents swift action in taking him to the ER. Less than a year later, <strong>Turner</strong> is back and better than ever, and <em>Annandale</em> has been so good in 2025 that <strong>Turner</strong> hasn't had to play a full game all year, setting up a platform for a potentially electric playoff run once <strong>Turner</strong> is fully unleashed over four quarters. Either way, <em>PRZMN</em> is stoked to see this young man continuing to play the the best game in the world, and at 6', 190 pounds, <strong>Turner</strong> is also a wildly overlooked RB prospect on the recruiting trail. Could be a huge land for a prospective college squad's 2026 recruiting class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Comeback Player of the Midseason: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/prepredzonemn-2025-midseason-awards-and-superlatives/"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1289981' first='Caleb' last='Kamara']</strong> (<em>Burnsville</em>) 2026. RB. </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players Qualifying for Comeback status in 2025: [player_tooltip player_id='1629868' first='Jayden' last='Meister'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657081' first='Marlowe' last='Strain'], [player_tooltip player_id='1029336' first='Caden' last='Gutzmer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']' last='Feeney'], [player_tooltip player_id='1368410' first='Eli' last='Diane'], [player_tooltip player_id='1540406' first='Everett' last='Arnold'], [player_tooltip player_id='1693230' first='Drew' last='Erlandson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SlipOffZay/status/1978954090068549939","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SlipOffZay/status/1978954090068549939 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Breakout Player of the Regular Season: </em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1893142' first='Owen' last='Konrad']</strong> (<em>Eden Prairie</em>) Sophomore. RB. 5'10, 165 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another tough choice for <em>PRZMN</em> in this Regular Season Superlatives special, it was simply too hard to overlook the sophomore/6A combination when it came to <em>Eden Prairie</em> superstar sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1893142' first='Owen' last='Konrad'].</strong> After <em>Eden Prairie's</em> 2024 season resulted in one of the worst in recent memory for <em>Eden Prairie,</em> <strong>Konrad's</strong> first-year breakout varsity campaign helped catapult the <em>Eagles</em> back into the Big School state title conversation as the team's leading rusher, finishing the regular season with 97 rushes for 889 yards and 6 TDs for the 6-2 <em>Eagles</em>. <em>PRZMN</em> got to see <strong>Konrad</strong> live against <em>Edina</em> in Week 3, where the dynamite 5'10, 165 lb. multi-sport standout showed a filthy skillset of speed, vision, twitch, and contact balance created some of the more electric runs I saw all year in person, and the immediate adjustment and comfortability, not to mention production, into the 6A ranks should be understated. <strong>Konrad's</strong> sustained success throughout 2025 has only sweetened the pot. Can't wait to see what the future has in store for this young man. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mentions: <strong>Talan Witt </strong>(<em>Alexandria</em>) Senior. QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633909' first='Miles' last='Felton'] </strong>(<em>Champlin Park)</em> Junior. QB/ATH. 6'3, 210 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Thein</strong> (<em>Pine Island</em>) Senior. RB. 5'10, 170 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breakout Player of the Midseason: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/prepredzonemn-2025-midseason-awards-and-superlatives/"><strong>Talan Witt</strong> (<em>Alexandria</em>) 2026. QB. </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27404089/68c588e42612daceb0690604"><strong>Konrad's</strong> game highlights versus <em>Edina</em> </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/FootballEPHS/status/1974264187502096824","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FootballEPHS/status/1974264187502096824 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Best Games of the Regular Season:</em> <em>Byron</em> 29, <em>Stewartville</em> 27 in Week 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Andover</em> 62, <em>Anoka</em> 61 in Week 5 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Pillager</em> 30, Staples-Motley 24 in Week 7 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Mahtomedi</em> 28,<em> Cretin-Derham Hall </em>27 in Week 7 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Rochester Mayo</em> 42, <em>Northfield</em> 35 Week 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best Game of Midseason: <em>Rochester Mayo</em> over <em>Northfield</em> in Week 4 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Play of the Regular Season</em>: [player_tooltip player_id='1248616' first='Beau' last='Nicklay'] (<em>Byron</em>) Junior. ATH. 5'11, 170 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walk-off game winner against a heavyweight Stewartville making serious noise in their first year up from Class AAA. Best finish in Minnesota since the <em>New London-Spicer's</em> walk-off Hail Mary to win the 2022 Class AAA state championship? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PBglimbeck/status/1976841126759088160","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PBglimbeck/status/1976841126759088160 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Play of the Midseason:<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/prepredzonemn-2025-midseason-awards-and-superlatives/"> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612777' first='Sammy' last='Stephenson']'s</strong> "You Got Mossed" selected TD snag in <em>Edina's</em> loss to <em>Eden Prairie </em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Freshman (2029) of the Regular Season: </em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1555622' first='Jayden' last='Bates'] </strong>(<em>Eden Prairie</em>) 2029. DE. 6'4, 210 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wish I had an entire week to comb through the stats, local media pieces, and research digital footprints in order to find any and all 2029 freshman contributors to Minnesota's varsity football scene, but <em>PRZMN</em> still has enough 2029 names that qualify as legitimate Freshman of the Year selections, but none come close to the pedigree of the state's #1 freshman in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1555622' first='Jayden' last='Bates']</strong>. Starting on the defensive line for traditional powerhouse <em>Eden Prairie</em> as a freshman, <strong>Bates</strong> cemented himself as a potential future blue-chipper after earning a P4 B1G offer from the hometown Gophers as an 8th grader this past June, and after seeing <strong>Bates</strong> live, padded, and in the flesh once again during the fall, <em>PRZMN</em> feels more than ready to name <strong>Bates</strong> as the freshman of the regular season, and potentially beyond. <em>Eagles</em> don't upload any stats to <em>MaxPreps</em> or <em>MNFootballHub</em>, but after seeing a sack and a few TFLs against <em>Edina</em> with our very own eyes, I'm sure the stats can back up <strong>Bates</strong>' natural size, bend, twitch, length, and pass rushing instincts. Keep an eye on <strong>Bates</strong> and his <em>Eden Prairie Eagles </em>as they attempt to make some serious noise in the 2025 6A bracket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mentions: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henry Cone (<em>Totino-Grace</em>) QB. 6'1, 195 lbs. - no stats available </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1362678' first='Gavin' last='Thomas'] (<em>Brooklyn Center</em>) RB. 5'6, 180 lbs. - 50 rushes for 478 yards and 4 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270305' first='Fua' last='Taumalolo'] (<em>Totino-Grace</em>) FB. 5'11, 220 lbs. - no stats available</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='888363' first='Brayden' last='Hartmann'] (<em>Hill-Murray)</em> QB. 5'8, 165 lbs. - no stats available</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brody Anderson </strong>(<em>Jackson County Central</em>) ATH. 5'8, 150 lbs. - no stats available</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eli Walkup</strong> (<em>Hillcrest Lutheran Academy</em>) 2029. RB. 5'10, 165 lbs. - 88 carries for 418 yards and 5 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman of the Midseason: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/prepredzonemn-2025-midseason-awards-and-superlatives/"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1555622' first='Jayden' last='Bates']</strong> (<em>Eden Prairie)</em> 2029. DE. 6'4, 210 lbs. </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Jaydenbates_/status/1979590562010513766","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jaydenbates_/status/1979590562010513766 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>8th Grader (2030) of the Regular Season: </em><strong>Carter Cupito</strong> (<em>SMB</em>) 2030. QB. 5'11, 150 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was simply no other option here. The architect and engineer of the <em>SMB Wolfpack's </em>incredible turnaround, going from 1-8 in 2024 to a 7-2 record in 2025 with a legitimate chance of going to state out of Section 5AAAA, <strong>Cupito</strong> is built of legendary stock and is already laying the groundwork for what could be a legendary prep career in both football and basketball. <strong>Cupito</strong> played on <em>Hopkins</em>' freshman team last season as a 7th grader before transferring to <em>Minnehaha</em> to play for the <em>Redhawks</em> varsity basketball team and is a product of the <em>Phelps Falcons</em> youth football team in Minneapolis, and the son of one of the Minnesota Gophers best quarterbacks of all time has put that early high school athletic experience to good use in his first year as a starter in 2025. <strong>Cupito</strong> has tallied personal stats of 118 completions on 199 attempts (60%) for 1,599 yards (14th in MN) and 12 TDs to 5 INTs, leading <em>SMB</em> to their best regular season since Jalen Suggs departed Minnehaha for Gonzaga University's basketball team. Some kids are just built different, and <strong>Cupito</strong> seems to embody the now-overused phrase better than nearly anyone we've seen at <em>PRZMN</em>. <em>SMB</em> has a rematch with <em>Benilde-St. Margaret's</em> on Saturday with a chance to go to the section championship on the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8th Grader of the Midseason: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/prepredzonemn-2025-midseason-awards-and-superlatives/"><strong>Carter Cupito </strong>(<em>SMB</em>) 2030. QB. </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MinnehahaAcad/status/1978539343334486398","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MinnehahaAcad/status/1978539343334486398 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Biggest Surprise Teams of the Regular Season: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 6A: <em>Rosemount</em> (1-8 in 2024, 7-1 in 2025 so far)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 5A: <em>Mahtomedi</em> (3-7 in 2024, 7-1 in 2025 so far)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A: <em>SMB</em> (1-8 in 2024, 7-2 in 2025 so far)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class AAA: <em>Winona Cotter </em>(3-6 in 2024, 8-1 in 2025 so far)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class AA: <em>Osakis</em> (4-6 in 2024, 8-1 in 2025 so far)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class A<em>: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton </em>(2-7 in 2024, 7-2 in 2025 so far) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 9Man: <em>Mabel-Canton</em> (3-6 in 2024, 9-0 in 2025 so far) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CoachErdmann/status/1980313533226135951","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoachErdmann/status/1980313533226135951 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Best Success Stories of Regular Season: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending Class A state champs <em>Minneota</em> have won 41 straight games. The <em>Vikings</em> last loss came in 2022 to Dawson-Boyd</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Wadena Deer-Creek</em> going 2-7 in 2025 after season was cancelled in 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Austin</em>&nbsp;- 507 4A competitor&nbsp;<em>Austin</em>&nbsp;finally snapped their 17-game losing streak in Week 3, holding onto a thriller against Class AAA&nbsp;<em>Worthington</em>&nbsp;on the road and in electric fashion, 14-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Rochester Century</em> - <em>Rochester Century </em>won their first game since September 8th, 2023, taking down <em>Owatonna</em> 12-7 in Minnesota's Week 3. Not only was it the <em>Panthers</em> first win in two years, it was also the first time <em>Century</em> defeated perennial 5A heavyweight <em>Owatonna</em> since the 2010-2011 season, 15 years ago. <em>Century</em> then beat <em>Winona</em> 28-20 in Week 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Mankato East </em>over <em>Mankato West</em> to reclaim the Kato Jug for the first time in 19 years, 28-7 in Minnesota's Week 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Andover</em> and <em>Moorhead</em> in Class 6A - The <em>Huskies</em> and the <em>Spuds</em> look like the best of the 5A programs who moved up to Class 6A for the 2025 season. <em>Andover</em> has been especially impressive, with wins over <em>Centennial, Wayzata</em>, and <em>Coon Rapids</em>, with their lone loss coming in a tight 28-24 L to<em> Champlin Park</em> in Week 2. Moorhead, despite the midseason loss of [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='Jett' last='Feeney'] due to injury, have downed traditional powers Wayzata and Edina in the back half of the season, with wins over Rogers and Woodbury to pad the stats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Stewartville</em>&nbsp;in Class 4A - The defending Class AAA state championship did have to say goodbye to their 30-game win streak after a Week 3 loss to&nbsp;<em>Kasson-Mantorville</em>&nbsp;21-18, but the&nbsp;<em>Tigers</em>&nbsp;are 3-1 with three dominant victories in 4A in their first year up a classification of competition. Behind the legs of&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602765' first='Malik' last='Abdi']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/abdimalik-abdi/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;,</strong>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<em>Tigers</em>&nbsp;are a legit threat at the Class 4A crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Albert Lea</em> - first 3-0, then 4-0, start in more than 20 years.<em> Albert Lea </em>is 7-2 with a big Section 3AAA semifinal matchup with Luverne looming on the horizon this Saturday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sartell</em>&nbsp;- snapped their 16-game losing streak in Week 7 against&nbsp;<em>St. Cloud Tech</em>&nbsp;in 2024, now is 2-2 and is coming off a big-time upset of&nbsp;<em>Brainerd</em>&nbsp;in Week 4, 20-16. On the road too!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Minnetonka</em> first win over Eden Prairie since 2004, downing the <em>Eagles</em> 21-14 in Week 5 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Rosemount Irish </em>went 1-8 in 2024 and are now 7-1 in 2025 and won the Metro South subdistrict title in Week 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Minneapolis Southwest </em>first win at <em>Minneapolis Washburn</em> since 2014, first win over the Millers since 2022</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Osseo's</em> "Derrin Lamker" effect has helped the <em>Orioles</em> to a 4-4 record so far in 2025, tied for their most wins since 2021 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Hopkins</em>, who broke a 29-game losing streak in 2024, wins first conference/district title in three decades, going 4-0 in the Maroon District</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AliciaTipcke/status/1966698837780652339","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AliciaTipcke/status/1966698837780652339 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Top Two-Way Player of the Regular Season: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer'] (<em>Byron</em>) Senior. ATH. 6'1, 190 lbs. Committed to MSU-Mankato</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <em>Byron Bears </em>have been one of - if not the single most - dominant program in MN prep football this fall, and despite the team-oriented win style of the <em>Bears</em>, I doubt they'd be undefeated, the #1 contender for the Class 4A crown, and as overall dangerous if not for their MSU-Mankato nickel commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer'].</strong> <em>PRZMN</em> got to see the future Mr. Football Finalist live and in-person Week 1 vs. <em>Holy Angles</em>, and he was in excellent form, with one of the more natural playmaking skillsets we've seen with <em>PRZMN</em>. One of the fastest players in Minnesota, <strong>Heimer</strong> has also been one of the most productive, posting 145 carries for 1,321 yards and 18 TDs rushing, 7 catches for 90 yards and 1 TD through the air, 52 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs, and 1 FF, providing one of the best two-way stat lines of anyone in the state. Safe to say that Minnesota State-Mankato got a good one! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/carson_heimer8/status/1948781180381229471","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/carson_heimer8/status/1948781180381229471 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Biggest Upsets of the Regular Season: </em>Mounds View 28, Forest Lake 23 in Week 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Biggest Upsets of the Midseason: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/prepredzonemn-2025-midseason-awards-and-superlatives/"><em>Alexandria</em> over <em>Elk River </em>and <em>Rosemount</em> over <em>Shakopee</em> </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MoundsviewFB/status/1976844863577477397","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MoundsviewFB/status/1976844863577477397 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Positional MVPs: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB of the Regular Season: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1255909' first='Nathan' last='Ramler'] </strong>(<em>Chanhassen</em>) 2026. 6'5, 220 lbs. - 134/194 (69%) for 1,734 yards and 21 TDs to 0 INTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB of the Regular Season: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633432' first='Zack' last='Shatek'] </strong>(<em>Hastings</em>) 2027. - 210 carrie for 1,747 yards (8.3 YPC) and 22 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB of the Regular Season Honorable Mentions: [player_tooltip player_id='1292281' first='Martin' last='Sleen'] (<em>Hermantown</em>) 2027, Nick Thein (<em>Pine Island)</em> 2026, [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle'] (<em>Maple</em> <em>Grove</em>) 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR of the Regular Season: [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack'] (<em>Moorhead</em>) 2027. 6', 170 lbs. - 76 receptions for 1,046 yards and 17 TDs, all first in the state </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TE of the Regular Season: Dre'Mandre Frierson-Hollie (<em>Cretin-Derham Hall</em>) 2027. 6'4, 230 lbs. - 45 catches for 745 yards and 9 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensive Line of the Regular Season: <em>Maple Grove Crimson </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL of the Regular Season Honorable Mentions: <em>Minnetonka</em>, <em>Eden Prairie,</em> <em>Byron</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL of the Regular Season: [player_tooltip player_id='592117' first='Howie' last='Johnson'] (<em>Forest Lake)</em> 2026. 6'4, 260 lbs. - 56 tackles, 21 TFLs, 5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention: <strong>Anthony Benson</strong> (<strong>Brooklyn Center</strong>) 2027. &amp; <strong>Samuel McGill </strong><em>(Albert Lea</em>) 2026. 6'5, 205 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB of the Regular Season: [player_tooltip player_id='1255900' first='Kane' last='Thompson'] (<em>International Falls)</em> 2026. 6'3, 215 lbs. - 127 tackles, 28 TFLs, 4 FF, 3.5 sack, 1 BK </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB of the Regular Season: [player_tooltip player_id='1579132' first='Ndifor' last='Tamukong'] (Forest Lake) 2027. CB. - 26 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 5 INTs, 5 PBUs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB of the Regular Season Honorable Mention: <strong>Will Kirsch </strong>(<em>Waconia</em>) 2026. 6'1, 180 lbs. - 24 tackles, 5 INTs, 2 pick-sixes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH of the Regular Season: [player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer'] (<em>Byron</em>) 2026. ATH. 6'1, 190 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returner of the Regular Season: <strong>Gavin Giese</strong> (<em>Park Christian)</em> 3 kickoff return TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returner of the Regular Season Honorable Mentions: [player_tooltip player_id='1653240' first='Keymoni' last='Bent'] (Kasson-<em>Mantorville</em>) 2 kickoff return TDs, Easton Johnston (<em>Minneota</em>) 2 kickoff return TDs, [player_tooltip player_id='481531' first='Nathan' last='Hansen'] <em>(Dawson-Boyd</em>) 2 punt return TDs, [player_tooltip player_id='1658187' first='Alpha' last='Meaway'] (<em>Brooklyn Center)</em> 2 punt return TDs, DeMondre Collins (<em>Richfield</em>) 2 punt return TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/nathan_ramler/status/1980096263468220762","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/nathan_ramler/status/1980096263468220762 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Biggest Stock Rising Recruit of the Regular Season: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1452200' first='Nehemiah' last='Ombati'] (<em>Shakopee</em>) 2027. DT. 6'3, 270 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not a lot of competition for this one, as <em>Shakopee's</em> junior standout defensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1452200' first='Nehemiah' last='Ombati'] </strong>is the only Minnesota prospect who came into the season without a P4 offer to earn one, as the 6'3, 270 lb. <em>PrepRedzoneMN</em> Showcase MVP has earned offers from Iowa State, Wisconsin, and Iowa during the 2025 season. <strong>Ombati</strong>, after a fantastic 2025 summer camp circuit, came into the fall with offers from NDSU, SDSU, and UND, but he's catapulted himself into B1G and Big12 offer contention thanks to his stellar play as a junior, which shows improved strength, physicality, twitch, and production from the nuanced and instinctive junior pass rusher. Should be a huge offseason for the 2027 6A 3tech. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stock Rising Recruit of the Midseason: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/prepredzonemn-2025-midseason-awards-and-superlatives/"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1452200' first='Nehemiah' last='Ombati']</strong> (<em>Shakopee</em>) 2027. DT. </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Nehemiah_Ombati/status/1979689913831522439","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Nehemiah_Ombati/status/1979689913831522439 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Best Duos/Trios of the Regular Season</em>: [player_tooltip player_id='1651164' first='Tre' last='Moore'] (97-177 for 1,371 yards and 14 TD passing) to [player_tooltip player_id='1522278' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] (38 catches for 638 yards and 8 TDs) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mentions: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whoever is at QB for <em>Moorhead</em> to 2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='592229' first='Izaak' last='Johnson'] (142 to 210 for 2,195 yards and 25 TDs to 8 INTs) to Dre'mandre Frierson-Hollie (45 catches for 745 yards and 9 TDs) and [player_tooltip player_id='1656108' first='Sam' last='Heath'] (33 catches for 686 yards and 6 TDs) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1633417' first='Parker' last='Kuehn'] (123 of 177 for 2,117 yards and 31 TDs to 4 INTs) to [player_tooltip player_id='1666356' first='Isaac' last='Fredin'] (41 catches for 589 yards and 14 TDs) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1255909' first='Nathan' last='Ramler'] (134/194 (69%) for 1,734 yards and 21 TDs to 0 INTs) to [player_tooltip player_id='1528749' first='James' last='Kopfmann'] (33 for 675 yards and 10 TDs) and [player_tooltip player_id='1104843' first='Kade' last='Bush'] (44 for 503 yards and 5 TDs)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Cupito</strong> (199 attempts (60%) for 1,599 yards (14th in MN) and 12 TDs to 5 INTs) to [player_tooltip player_id='1338141' first='Jonah' last='Schimelpfenig'] (36 for 654 yards and 5 TDs) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1593562' first='Tanner' last='Rothbauer'] (UMD commit, 144-244 for 1,935 yards and 19 TDs to 3 INTs) to [player_tooltip player_id='1238166' first='David' last='Downs'] (50 for 718 yards and 8 TDs) and [player_tooltip player_id='743237' first='Adam' last='Jordan'] (40 for 629 yards and 8 TDs) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1290743' first='Reid' last='Hungerholt'] (117-245 for 1,701 yards and 20 TDs to 9 INTs) to Talan Lewison (48 catches for 765 yards and 6 TDs) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best Duo of the Midseason: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/prepredzonemn-2025-midseason-awards-and-superlatives/"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612765' first='Logan' last='Lachermeier']</strong> (<em>Minneapolis North)</em> to the <em>Polars</em>' WR corps </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Treday_03/status/1969270745537613974","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Treday_03/status/1969270745537613974 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Midseason State Championship Predictions:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"9Man:&nbsp;<em>Hills-Beaver Creek&nbsp;</em>- 9Man is pretty up in the air right now, but I like HBC's playoff experience from last year, as well as the dynamic duo of Metzger &amp; Bush. In fact, there's a handful of Metzgers I like on the HBC team. I'm not going to bet against the two best players in 9Man until I have to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class A:&nbsp;<em>Springfield</em>&nbsp;- Springfield is incredibly talented at the Class A level, already have big-game experience from last year's run, and are going to be hungry to avenge last year's state title L. Importantly,&nbsp;<em>Minneota</em>, although still lean &amp; mean, has lost some key pieces to graduation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class AA:&nbsp;<em>Jackson County Central&nbsp;</em>- I don't see anyone being able to get in the way of&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/roman-voss/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;&amp; co. come playoff time. Remember,&nbsp;<strong>Voss</strong>&nbsp;missed last year's state run due to an injury. He's going to be hungry for this as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class AAA:&nbsp;<em>Waseca</em>, really want to say&nbsp;<em>Minneapolis North</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A:&nbsp;<em>Byron</em>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<em>Byron</em>&nbsp;has already beaten some of the top contenders in 4A. They look like the best team by a good measure at the midseason point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 5A:&nbsp;<em>Elk River&nbsp;</em>- I'm just not ready to bet against the&nbsp;<em>Elks</em>&nbsp;yet. Doesn't help that 5A is as up in the air as it's been in a while. This take could look stupid in a couple of weeks, as&nbsp;<em>Elk River&nbsp;</em>still has&nbsp;<em>Armstrong</em>,&nbsp;<em>Monti</em>, and&nbsp;<em>Cretin-Derham Hall</em>&nbsp;left on the schedule, but the&nbsp;<em>Elks</em>&nbsp;are so heavy at the top end and that offense is so hard to stop later in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 6A:&nbsp;<em>Maple Grove</em>&nbsp;- best team in the state. Best OL, best QB, playmakers across the board, size, coaching. After this year,&nbsp;<em>Maple</em>&nbsp;<em>Grove</em>&nbsp;is going to have a big drop off, but this 2026 class is another great one and I think the preseason humbling at the Bemidji State War on the Shore Big School Team Camp did the&nbsp;<em>Crimson</em>&nbsp;some good."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Most Under-the-Radar Uncommitted Senior of Regular Season: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kyree Nelson</strong> (<em>Hopkins</em>) CB. 6'5, 190 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Magnus Melhlhoff </strong>(<em>St. Thomas Academy</em>) DL. 6'5, 250 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midseason: [player_tooltip player_id='1921151' first='Parker' last='Maloney'] <em>(St. Peter)</em> OT. 6'7, 260 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Kyreelll_/status/1980641649303630230","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kyreelll_/status/1980641649303630230 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->