PrepRedzoneMN Best I Saw This Season's Superlatives

And just like that, snow is on the ground and winter is upon us. Luckily, we have the comfortable and fulfilling memories of the recently completed 2025 season to keep us warm through the holiday season, and before we starting publishing the upcoming state rankings updates full throttle, PRZMN has a couple more special features to pump out, beginning with this "Best I Saw This Season's Superlatives", naming some of the players, performances, moments, and results that PRZMN saw with our own two eyes this fall. As a reminder, no one watched more Minnesota high school football than yours truly. Don't believe me? Check out the game list below:   Edina vs. Moorhead   Jackson County Central vs. Goodhue   Orono vs. Kasson-Mantorville   Minneota vs. Breckenridge   Minneapolis Southwest vs. St. Louis Park   Moorhead vs. Blaine   Maple Grove vs. Minnetonka   Breck vs. Brooklyn Center   Monticello vs. Elk River   St. Thomas Academy vs. Hastings   Chanhassen vs. Mankato East   Edina vs. Eden Prairie   MPLS Camden vs. Brooklyn Center   Byron vs. Holy Angels   Simley vs. MPLS North   Totino-Grace vs. Rocori   Also watched:   Orono/Marshall, Hills-Beaver Creek/Fertile-Beltrami, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy/Kittson County Central, Edina/Minnetonka, Jackson County Central/Eden Valley-Watkins, Kasson-Mantorville/Grand Rapids, Spring Lake Park/St. Thomas Academy, Goodhue/Holdingford, Moorhead/Lakeville South, Minneota/Mahnomen-Waubun, Breckenridge/Murray County Central, Waseca/Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Annandale/Minneapolis North, Chanhassen/Elk River, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy/Hills-Beaver Creek, Waseca/Annandale, Chanhassen/Spring Lake Park   Some of the best moments of 2025, for your eyes only, below!   --   Best Individual Performance:   [player_tooltip player_id='923840' first='Chase' last='Bjorgaard'] vs Moorhead in the Class 6A state championship   In the biggest game in Edina football history, 2026 running back [player_tooltip player_id='923840' first='Chase' last='Bjorgaard'] etched his name in the front page of the Hornets' history books forever. One of the best multi-sport athletes in a Minnesota 2026 class stuffed with multi-sport talent, Bjorgaard has even been rivaling teammate and Chicago Blackhawks First Round Draft Pick [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'] in terms of recent notoriety after his state championship performance against Moorhead. 31 rushes for 320 yards and 4 TDS + 2 catches for 31 yards and 2 TDs in Edina's thrilling 42-35 state championship victory over the Spuds proved to be one of the most spectacular individual efforts I've ever seen regardless of competition level. Moorhead tacklers were melting off the 215 lber. in seemingly surreal fashion, and whether they were choosing not to try to square up the senior tailback or he was simply too wide and coming downhill too fast, Bjorgaard was splitting the defense like Moses and the Red Sea, allowing Edina's plethora of fellow playmakers to have a chill night of blocking and watching Edina's #1 backside as he carried the rock in for not one, not two, not three, etc. TDs in the biggest moment and on the biggest platform a high school football player could imagine. A performance for the ages coming out of one of Minnesota's most notable names and programs, with a player who will not be forgotten anytime soon.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1992083583192928278 </div></figure>   Best Comebacks:   Breck over Brooklyn Center in the Section 4AAA semifinals   The most surprising, as well as arguably entertaining, game that PRZMN watched in 2025 goes to the section semifinal matchup, as well as 2025 rematch between the two AAA competitors that ended in absolute fireworks. Breck scored 20 points in the last 8 minutes of the 4th quarter, which included a successful onside kick, another successful onside kick that was called off due to an offsides call, two TD passes to Mu Muhammad and the go-ahead score coming on a John Henry Berntsen pass to Bowdoin commit [player_tooltip player_id='1395226' first='Oliver' last='Kuhn'], who high-pointed the ball perfectly over the heads of two waiting Centaurs defenders with around 26 seconds left in the ball game, ultimately giving his Mustangs the 34-30 victory. The feeling in the stadium was unforgettable, as you could feel the momentum permanently slide to Breck's favor, and with Brooklyn Center down three of their top players at this point in the ball game, the tension grew more and more palpable as BC's fans and players felt fate suddenly turn against them.   Edina over Minnetonka in the Class 6A state semifinals   State semifinals, U.S. Bank Stadium, win or go home football, it doesn't get much bigger than that, folks. One of the trademarks of prep football as compared to its collegiate and professional counterparts is how hard it is to engineer a comeback, especially since high school football is so dominated by the running game. However, not every high school team has one of the best multi-sport athletes in the country in [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West']. A 6'7, 220 lb. rocket-armed gunslinger and forward on the hockey rink, the First Round Draft Pick by the Chicago Blackhawks engineered an absolutely magical comeback, beginning with his Hornets down 28-7 with 4:46 left in the 2nd quarter. Six straight scores by Edina, three of which were thrown by West while one score was ran in behind those giraffe legs of #9, gave Edina a 42-28 lead over Classic Lake Conference rival Minnetonka, a lead that held tough though the last 8:55 of the ball game and gave Edina a berth in the Class 6A state championship, which they went on to win. What a final run by Edina's 2025 roster!   Favorite Games:   Jackson County Central over Goodhue in the 2025 Class AA state championship game   After Maple Grove was downed in the Class 6A quarterfinals, I assumed the only remaining shoe-in for a state title was defending champs Jackson County Central in Class AA. After the Huskies downed Eden Valley-Watkins 38-0 in the state semifinals, I thought it was all but set in stone that the [player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss']-led Huskies would repeat without worry, but boy was I happy to be wrong. The Class AA was the most engaging ball game of the season, and I was completely absorbed in what turned into a 20-15 slobber knocker that included six lost fumbles by JCC, a 38 carry for 252 yards and 3 TD (plus passing & defensive stats) performance by [player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss'], late game heroics, big hits, and the best individual effort of the year by Goodhue's QB Luke Roschen, which I will expand on further below. JCC ended up scoring the go-ahead touchdown with a little more than four minutes left in the ball game, a hole that the Wildcats couldn't manage to crawl out of before time ticked away. I was on the edge of my seat nearly the entire 48 minutes. I was exhausted just watching it.   Best Sophomores:   [player_tooltip player_id='1695494' first='Taylor' last='Hussong'] (Eden Prairie) 2028. DT. 6'1, 240 lbs. - Big, powerful, stout, heavy handed 3T/NG for Eden Prairie who was in his first year starting for MN's traditional powerhouse while facing Big School OL competition week in and week out.   #98 [player_tooltip player_id='1693230' first='Drew' last='Erlandson'] (Eden Prairie) 2028. 6'4, 215 lbs. - Tall, long, and possessing a frame that screams D1 defensive end/EDGE, Erlandson possesses an impressive combination of strength and twitch and followed up what was a strong summer camp circuit with a nice introduction to MN Big School football in 2025. Unfortunately, Erlandson tore his ACL after six games of regular season play, but I'm excited to see the comeback from the high-potential sophomore.   Johnny Moore (Monticello) 2028. SAF/KR. 5'11, 200 lbs. - Impactful as a returner on a loaded Monticello 2025 squad, great build and an imposing third level defender, and showed noticeable range in both run support and pass coverage. Particularly strong 1v1 tackler in space.   Brody Riess (Marshall) 2028. 6'2, 220 lbs. - 5 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 PBU in state semifinal loss to Orono. One of the most active defensive presences I saw all season with PRZMN. Listed at 6'2, 220 on the Marshall roster and was an unrelenting presence in the Orono backfield in a way that not even the impressive stat line can describe. The Tigers have some fun pieces coming back on the defensive side of the ball next season, led by their defensive line crew.   Braedyn VanMeveren (Marshall) 2028. DT. 6'2, 280 lbs. - 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack in state semifinal loss to Orono. Get to know the name now. VanMeveren is going to make a massive debut on the 2028 rankings this month or the next, and he displayed an incredibly high ceiling in Marshall's 4A state semifinal loss to Orono. Strong at the point of active, heavy hands, and real-deal juice from the interior as a pass rusher equated a very exciting big body at a premium position on both the gridiron and recruiting trail.   Best Offensive Linemen:   [player_tooltip player_id='1642211' first='Zivad' last='Robinson'] vs. Brooklyn Center. The best football player in the 612 comes and the Minneapolis City Conference and MPLS Camden High School, whose 6'4, 275 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1642211' first='Zivad' last='Robinson'] is a tank on both sides of the ball and had a fantastic personal showing when facing geographic rival Brooklyn Center early in the season. In addition to his 6 tackles, 2 TFLs, and sack on the defensive side of the ball, Robinson was absolutely crushing opponents as the Patriots tackle, vicious and physical through all four quarters. I saw him flatten a couple Centaurs in bone-crunching fashion from his OL spot. I think he's on a shortlist of Minnesotans on D1 offer watch this offseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='1289991' first='Jake' last='Gau'] (Eden Prairie) 2026. OT. - vs. Edina. A mammoth offensive tackle of Eden Prairie, [player_tooltip player_id='1289991' first='Jake' last='Gau'] will go down as the 2025 season's most improved and biggest recruiting stock riser besides [player_tooltip player_id='1452200' first='Nehemiah' last='Ombati']. Watching him vs. Edina was a frightening sight, as he was simultaneously flying out of his stance and moving incredibly well for a 6'7, 300 poundish tackle well dominating at the point of attack like a player of his size should. Kid's a beast, and recently committed to South Dakota to close out what was a tremendous senior campaign for the Eden Prairie Eagles offensive lineman.   [player_tooltip player_id='1255885' first='Matthew' last='Perusse'] vs. Minnetonka. The Montana State commit received a disheartening amount of postseason attention given how dominant he's been for Maple Grove's incredible past two-three seasons of action. Against Minnetonka, Perusse was road-grading machine, paving the way for yet another impressive [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle']-led offensive showing for the Crimson. So strong, so technically-sound, so versatile, so consistent, and Perusse was also one of the most pronounced leaders I saw all of 2025. Don't be surprised if he has a decorated career at Montana State.   [player_tooltip player_id='490046' first='Owen' last='Linder'] vs. Mankato East. - Chanhassen's B1G OL commit was straight-up ragdolling Mankato East defenders at the midway point of the 2025 regular season. A massive presence on the edge of the 2025 Class 5A runner up's OL, Linder was the toughest OL I saw at the point of attack all year long, as well as the meanest finisher. Minnesotans going to the Hawkeyes usually pays off well for Kirk Ferentz & company and I don't see this commitment going any differently.   Best Team: Minneota Vikings   46 in a row. Not a lot else needs to be said. Four straight state championships, I believe the seventh-longest winning streak in MSHSL history, and an incredible 2025 campaign that saw their tightest loss to a Class A competitor come in the state semifinals against Mahnomen/Waubun, 28-14. It's funny, the Vikings aren't led by a superstar like last season, and although they do have size in the trenches, the Vikings are simply a good football team in all phases and in all situations. All 11 are focused on just their job, they're all tough, strong, and fearless into contact, they rarely miss tackles, and they're assignment and technically sound all around the gridiron. Plus, their ball carriers and playmakers all have juice, as well as big game experience in droves. Vikings are losing a lot of linemen in this 2025 class, however, the chase for another fifth state championship has already started in Southwest Minnesota!   Best Offensive Lines:   Eden Prairie vs. Edina Week 3 - 55 rushes for 374 yards (6.8 YPC) and 4 TDs on the ground   [player_tooltip player_id='1289991' first='Jake' last='Gau'] (2026, OT, 6'7, 300, Committed to South Dakota), [player_tooltip player_id='592120' first='Ethan' last='Sather'] (2026, OG, Committed to Minnesota-Duluth), [player_tooltip player_id='1453214' first='Jack' last='Badon'] (2027, 6'2, 250), William Palmer (2026, OG, 6', 245), whoever #55 is. Plus [player_tooltip player_id='284019' first='Gavin' last='Walden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='591981' first='Braden' last='Minta']   Maple Grove vs. Minnetonka Week 8 - 37 rushes for 219 yards (5.9 YPC) and 3 TDs + 5 receptions for 142 yards and 1 TD   [player_tooltip player_id='1255885' first='Matthew' last='Perusse'] (2026, LT, 6'4, 270, Committed to Montana State), [player_tooltip player_id='1512179' first='Brelan' last='Coleman'] (2026, OG, 6', 250), Porter Emerson (2026, iOL, 5'11, 220), Elliot Claussen (2027, iOL, 6'1, 265), [player_tooltip player_id='1568954' first='Noah' last='Spears'] (2026, RT, 6'4, 295)   Minnetonka vs. Maple Grove Week 8 - 48 rushes for 228 yards (4.8 YPC) and 2 TDs   Jacob Gendreau (2026, LT, 6'1, 240), [player_tooltip player_id='1517061' first='Griffin' last='Moore'] (2026, LG, 6'4, 305), [player_tooltip player_id='1602687' first='Aiden' last='Zapzalka'] (2026, OC, 6', 265, Committed to St. Olaf), [player_tooltip player_id='1561898' first='Kingston' last='Hamblin'] (2026, RG, 6'4, 310), Laird Cassidy (2026, RT, 6'6, 230)   Best Catches:   [player_tooltip player_id='1602750' first='Jeremiah' last='Jackson']'s one-handed catch, in-stride, on a beautifully-thrown deep ball by [player_tooltip player_id='1612765' first='Logan' last='Lachermeier'] in North's Week 1 win over Class 4A Simley   [player_tooltip player_id='1612777' first='Sammy' last='Stephenson']'s outrageous "Moss" of an Eden Prairie defender, leaping and high-pointing the rock right on top of a helpless Eden Prairie Eagles defensive back   [player_tooltip player_id='1395226' first='Oliver' last='Kuhn']'s game-winning, go-ahead leaping catch in the back of the endzone over two helpless Brooklyn Center DBs to cap Breck's incredible comeback in sections over the Centaurs in win-or-go-home section semifinals   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/OJW_Scouting/status/1966662490453934431 </div></figure>   Biggest Hits:   [player_tooltip player_id='1634038' first='Tyler' last='Blaschko']'s massive hit on Chanhassen's West Virginia TE commit to jar the reception loose   [player_tooltip player_id='1654702' first='Myles' last='Augustyn'] crushing, crumpling hit on [player_tooltip player_id='489731' first='Kaden' last='Harney'] near the goal line on an extended scramble   [player_tooltip player_id='591747' first='Andrew' last='Stelter']'s explosive, perfect, fundamentally-sound state semifinal stick on a huge full-tilt blitz and TFL in the state semifinals against Orono   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/mylesaugustyn/status/1995229534166413700 </div></figure>   Most Active Pass Rushers:   Anthony Benson (Brooklyn Center) 2027. 6', 285 lbs. - 5 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 FF vs. MPLS Camden. 3 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack vs. Breck.   [player_tooltip player_id='1942232' first='Magnus' last='Mehlhoff'] (St. Thomas Academy) 2026. 6'5, 240 lbs. - 6 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack vs. Hastings   [player_tooltip player_id='615314' first='JR' last='Vierstraete'] (Marshall) 2026. 6', 230 lbs. - 9 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1.5 sacks in state semifinal loss to Orono   Best Passing Performances:   Max Fredin (Rocori) 2026. QB. - 31/43 for 273 yards and 2 TDs to 0 INTs in Week 1 win over Totino-Grace   [player_tooltip player_id='1255909' first='Nathan' last='Ramler'] (Chanhassen) 2026. 6'5, 225 lbs. 14-19 for 243 yards and 2 TDs vs. Mankato East   [player_tooltip player_id='923855' first='Kyler' last='Thom'] (MPLS Southwest) 2026. - 14/21 for 255 yards and 3 TDs + 9 rushes for 91 yards in section semifinal win over St. Louis Park   [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='Jett' last='Feeney'] (Moorhead) 2027. 20-29 for 228 yards and 2 TDs to 0 INTs in the Spuds 26-14 state semifinal win over Lakeville South   Best Recruiting Find:   [player_tooltip player_id='1739373' first='Wyatt' last='Perry'] (Edina) 2028. OG. 6'6, 230 lbs.   Amongst the giants that made up the now-state champion Edina Hornets 2025 offensive line stands a lone non-senior and non-upperclassman in [player_tooltip player_id='1739373' first='Wyatt' last='Perry']. The left guard made quite the impression throughout the Hornets contests with Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Moorhead, as he displays the strength and physicality to move mass and open up holes around the LOS, impressive technique and consistency in his fundamentals for a sophomore and first year starter in the Big School ranks, and obvious lateral twitch from the guard spot. Found myself especially impressed by his clean, fluid, concise pass set, lateral agility, and the lead in his hands had enough pop to put defenders on their butts in pass pro once he locked out and extended his arms. Pass pro doesn't need to be passive! The LG explodes out of his stance, is an excellent puller who is fluid and effective in space, and is easily able to climb to the second level and find work thanks to his start/stop ability. Perry is especially effective at moving defenders and manhandling larger upperclassmen defensive linemen when he gets inside hand positioning and can win the leverage battle, and if he can work on his flexibility, strength, and nasty streak in the lead up and into his junior season, he's a no doubt P4 prospect all day long. You heard it here first!   Biggest Sleeper:   Dom Baez (St. Thomas Academy) 2026. RB. 5'8, 185 lbs. - 12 for 156 yards and 3 TDs in win over Hastings   St. Thomas Academy suffered one lone defeat in 2025, coming in the state semifinals to eventual champion Spring Lake Park, yet the amount of postseason hardware and recognition the Cadets 2025 roster has received has been insufficient, in my humble opinion. With all of the hoopla surrounding the RB play of the 2025 season and the RB talent in the upcoming 2027 class, Baez is getting talked about far too little, and I can't seem to figure out why. Excellent vision, outstanding contact balance, dynamic skillset as a pass catcher and blocker, a deep tool bag of elusive moves in the open field, and production, production, production. Plus, St. Thomas Academy's history of skill position talent speaks for itself. College coaches: don't miss out!   Biggest Senior Sleepers:   Anthony Palmer (Minneapolis North) OL. 6'3, 265 lbs.   Elijah Saker (Byron) OL. 6'6, 245 lbs.   Hudson Bernarde (Edina) OL. 6'7, 270 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1561151' first='Noah' last='Baerenwald'] (Minnetonka) TE. 6'4, 225 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1120625' first='Luke' last='Henry'] (Eden Prairie) LB. 6'3, 210 lbs.   Broox Platt (Murray County Central) OL. 6'6, 280 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1575668' first='Nolan' last='Verdi'] (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton) Jumbo ATH. 6'3, 250 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1942232' first='Magnus' last='Mehlhoff'] (St. Thomas Academy) 2026. DE. 6'5, 240 lbs.   Largest Humans:   [player_tooltip player_id='591732' first='Andrew' last='Trout'] (Rocori) OT. 6'7, 315 lbs. Committed to Minnesota   [player_tooltip player_id='212360' first='Braden' last='Petzel'] (Mankato East) OT. 6'9, 270 lbs. Committed to Northern Illinois   Best Student Section: Goodhue Wildcats   You want to talk about pound for pound rowdy? This goes to Goodhue all day. Yes, it would be easier to pick a Big School student section, cleanly divided up in rows by grade and led by a pronounced cheer leader standing at the front and center of the isolated student section, strengthened by row after row of screaming high schoolers to back their unanimous three cheers followed by a unified Ric Flair-worthy "whoo." However, Goodhue, far less than 50 strong, were the loudest student section PRZMN heard all state semifinal and state championship. Led mostly by girls, the Class AA school was boisterous, rowdy, and fun, with constant chants, many geared toward the larger-but-quieter JCC student section, and their leader, a young, blond girl, was excellent at constantly getting her classmates going with every cheer of the book, minus an "overrated" at the very much non-overrated [player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss']. I think they went so hard that they gassed themselves out, as the 4th quarter of the ball game, especially the last 8 minutes, had everyone on the edge of their seats and far too locked in to focus on cheering. What a game that Class AA battle was!   Most Dynamic:   [player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss'] (Jackson County Central) 2026. ATH. 6'4, 230 lbs. 4 rushing TDs, 2 passing TDs, 1 INT defensively in one half of work against Eden Valley-Watkins in the Class AA state semifinals   [player_tooltip player_id='1576392' first='Caleb' last='Maddox'] (Rocori) 2026. - 8 for 108 yards and 2 TDs + 2 tackles & 1 INT in Week 1 win over Totino-Grace   [player_tooltip player_id='1654545' first='Larry' last='Smith'] (Brooklyn Center) 2028. - 8/14 for 157 yards and 2 TDs passing, 9 rushes for 53 yards and 2 TDs, 10 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 PBU vs. MPLS Camden   [player_tooltip player_id='284019' first='Gavin' last='Walden'] vs. Edina Week 3 - 1 rush for 5 yards and 1 TD, 1 catch for 9 yards and 1 TD, started all game at DT (no defensive stats available)   [player_tooltip player_id='1665895' first='Windlan' last='Hall'] (Eden Prairie) 2027. 5'10, 160 lbs. 12 rushes for 105 yards and 1 TD + multiple PBUs and tackles (no defensive stats available) vs. Edina.   Biggest Freight Train:   Ben Bergan (Totino-Grace) 2027. FB. 6'2, 240 lbs.   Jeffrey Nordvold (Maple Grove) 2026. FB. 6'1, 215 lbs. Committed to Minnesota-Duluth   Brody Lhotka (Mahnomen/Waubun) 2026. RB. 6'1, 220 lbs. Committed to MSU-Moorhead   Biggest Thumper:   [player_tooltip player_id='1288402' first='Jordan' last='Heimer'] (Byron) 2027. 6'2, 205 lbs. - 8.5 tackles, (4 solo), 2 QB huts, 5 carries for 23 yards and 1 TD vs. Holy Angels Week 1. Every tackle was loud and bone-crunching. He'll square you up, run his feet like heck, and stick you right under the chinstrap. The Heimer boys can play.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JHeimer24/status/1991888076529074491 </div></figure>   Best Special Teams Play:   Carter Strain (Grand Rapids) 2028. K. Two onside kicks and recoveries by Grand Rapids in their near comeback on Kasson-Mantorville 16-14 in the Class 4A state semifinals. The second kick and recovery came with only 18 seconds left in the ball game   [player_tooltip player_id='1658187' first='Alpha' last='Meaway']'s 67-yard punt return for a TD against MPLS Camden Week 2   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/alpha_Meaway/status/1981807209236287613 </div></figure>   Punches Above Weight:   Tyson Williams (Edina) 2026. #57. Offensive Center. 5'9, 190 lbs.   Smack dab in the middle of the mountain range that was the Edina Hornets 2025 offensive line sat the diminutive yet rock solid OC Tyson Williams. Sitting around 5'9, 190 lbs., Williams wasn't the biggest OL on the block, but he was technically-sound, especially with the snaps, laterally agile and mobile around the LOS, and has strong hands that he doesn't mind sticking into your grill. PRZMN loved watching him go toe-to-toe with 6A giants throughout the 2025 season. MIAC and UMAC schools, hit him up!   Shined in a Loss:   [player_tooltip player_id='1633432' first='Zack' last='Shatek'] (Hastings) 2027. RB. vs. St. Thomas Academy: 27 for 80 and 1 TD   [player_tooltip player_id='551390' first='Mason' last='Helfmann'] (St. Louis Park) 2026. 29 for 163 yards and 2 TDs + 4 tackles in section semifinal loss to MPLS Southwest   [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'] (Minnetonka) 2026. 6'1, 190 lbs. 36 rushes for 173 yards and 2 TDs in Week 8 loss to Maple Grove, 33 for 255 yards (7.7 YPC) and 3 TDs in state semifinal loss to Edina   Best Defensive Performance:   [player_tooltip player_id='1120535' first='Garett' last='Bauer'] (Monticello) 2026. 5'11, 210 lbs. - 23 tackles (10 solo), 6 rushes for 52 yards and 1 TD in upset win over Elk River   Bauer was absolutely outstanding in Monticello's regular season home win against Elk River. Not only did Bauer put up a crazy stat line, his defensive range and nose for the football was memorably the best of the 2025 season, and he had a particularly impressive open field tackle on South Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'] that has etched itself in my mind. Beautifully tracked the hip and closed with such force and pace that he seemed to get into Harris and stuff in his tracks in a blink. This kid can play!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Garett_Bauer7/status/1986828591435260303 </div></figure>   Most Explosive:   [player_tooltip player_id='1612777' first='Sammy' last='Stephenson'] (Edina) 2026. WR. 6'2, 190 lbs. - 6 catches for 190 yards (31.7 YPC) and 1 TD in the Class 6A state semifinal under the bright lights of U.S. Bank Stadium   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/samstephenson26/status/1989361382123520290 </div></figure>   Biggest Ballhawk:   [player_tooltip player_id='2074043' first='Colton' last='Purcell'] (Annandale) 2027. SAF. 6'3, 200 lbs. 3 INTs in state finals against Waseca. Also picked off a pass and caught 2 TDs in Annandale's state semifinal win over Minneapolis North   Scariest Coach:   Steve Hamilton from Elk River   This comes solely from an unbiased perspective on the sideline, but Steve Hamilton was easily the scariest head coach I came across in 2025. Big, tall, looming presence and with the excellence that Elk River produces, you can see who demands it. I was stressed for the young Elks getting their butts chewed out in their loss to Monticello during the regular season.   Never Took a Play Off:   [player_tooltip player_id='1580586' first='Ethan' last='O'Reilly'] (Goodhue) 2027. OL/DL. 6'2, 250 lbs.   State championship wins require state championship-worthy effort, and [player_tooltip player_id='1580586' first='Ethan' last='O'Reilly'] was the embodiment of that sentiment during the 2025 Class AA state title battle between Goodhue and JCC. This kid never took a play off, which included every special teams, including kickoff, and he was easily the most impactful front-seven competitor on either side of the ball that game.   Best Individual Effort:   Luke Roschen (Goodhue) 2026. QB/FS. 6'3, 185 lbs. Committed to Southwest Minnesota State (basketball)   Goodhue's future SMSU hooper Roschen was nothing short of spectacular in the Wildcats losing effort to Jackson County Central in the Class AA state championship game. Not sure what was more impressive: his laser of an arm, the jump pass that he threw 35-40 air yards while completely airborne for Goodhue's best offensive play of the game, the double-digit 1v1 open field tackles on Gophers commit [player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss'], or his outrageous scrambling ability. Roschen was a one-man wrecking ball, offensive powerhouse, and playmaker on Goodhue's 2025 roster who left a scathing impression in the mind of PRZMN, especially since we're losing his talent to the hardwood in college. At least you went out with a bang, young buck!   Rose to the Occasion:   [player_tooltip player_id='1633390' first='Nolan' last='Roach'] (Spring Lake Park) 2027. QB. 6', 175 lbs.   With Minnesota's Class 5A finishing out as one of the most competitive of the entire 2025 season, it was safe to assume that some shadowed hero would emerge from the depths to assert themselves as thee player of the Prep Bowl, and 2025's version of this narrative is personified by Spring Lake Park's junior QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1633390' first='Nolan' last='Roach']. Coming into US Bank Stadium, Roach's highest rushing total of the season was 84 yards, which came in the playoffs, and during the regular season his season high rushing total was a mere 65 yards. The Panthers were blessed with a stacked backfield in 2025, so Roach was able to sit back and let his OL, the RB room, and the veer offense do it's thing, but big players make big plays in big moments, and Roach popped off for 15 for 190 yards and 2 TDs in the state semifinal win over previously undefeated St. Thomas Academy and 12 rushes for 162 yards and 2 TDs in the state finals win over Chanhassen, 24-21. What a time to post your two best stat lines!   Clutchest Play:   [player_tooltip player_id='1991287' first='Lincoln' last='Stinar']'s game-winning, walk-off overtime TD catch to beat Marshall in the Class 4A state semifinal. Only a sophomore, Stinar played a big role in Orono's 2025 state championship season, the first football state title in school history. Looking forward to getting the Orono product on the 2028 rankings this month or the next.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/OJW_Scouting/status/1989057385487274228 </div></figure>

And just like that, snow is on the ground and winter is upon us. Luckily, we have the comfortable and fulfilling memories of the recently completed 2025 season to keep us warm through the holiday season, and before we starting publishing the upcoming state rankings updates full throttle, PRZMN has a couple more special features to pump out, beginning with this "Best I Saw This Season's Superlatives", naming some of the players, performances, moments, and results that PRZMN saw with our own two eyes this fall. As a reminder, no one watched more Minnesota high school football than yours truly. Don't believe me? Check out the game list below: