Thursday, September 3rd's Standouts, Risers, Heroes

Let's get to know some of the breakout stars from Minnesota's Week 1's Thursday night action!   --    Wayzata was the recipient of a big-time, under-the-radar transfer pickup in 5'11, 185 lb. 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='2374546' first='Mikey' last='Criswell']. The former Osseo Oriole had a strong junior campaign in the 6A ranks, posting 160 rushes for 862 yards and 8 TDs in 2025 as a junior and platforming himself to be one of the most productive rushers in the Metro this fall.   Well, he's off to a good start, as Criswell went for 34 carries for 300 yards and 4 TDs for the Trojans in their win over Andover last night.   Skillset includes :   homerun speed   quick feet   shifty in space   sleek, powerful frame   bendy hips, impressive footwork in the hole   weapon in the pass game   explosive   big-time junior season should really translate well production-wise as a senior   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/criswell_mikey/status/2043413293411254370 </div></figure>     Another under-the-radar yet instant-impact transfer from the 6A ranks, WR Briggs Tarnowski made the move from Rogers to Maple Grove for his upperclassmen campaign. The kid has been working his tail off the past couple offseasons, leading to some eye-catching, green athletic numbers and a couple good in-person evaluation points under his belt with PRZMN as well.   Tarnowski got off to a strong start in Week 1, going Beast Mode after the catch for Maple Grove's lone offensive score of the evening. Check out the contact balance, burst, playmaking ability, and overall will on this catch, carry, and score! Should be a big season for Tarnowski, who is ready for the spotlight, especially if he continues to cement himself in a WR1 role for the Crimson.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Crimsonfootball/status/2095691207284293778 </div></figure>     2025 Class A state runner-up Mahnomen/Waubun graduated some hammers from their 2026 class, but the Thunderbirds are deeper than PRZMN expected and once again look like state title contenders. Stepping into the QB position for the Thunderbirds is 6'2, 180 lb. 2028 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2374548' first='Cade' last='Walz'], who rushed 16 times for 153 yards and 3 TDs in M/W's big win over Walker-Hackensack-Akeley on Thursday night, 41-0. Passing stats weren't reported from the contest, but Walz is a dynamic presence from the backfield who can hurt you with either his arm or his legs. Can't wait to see what kind of production Walz can post in 2026.   Skillset includes:   mobility and accuracy on the move   dangerous read option, veer QB. Good vision, shifty and elusive in the open field. Will run behind his pads   throws a good fade ball   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/davecpeterson/status/2095640260327752083 </div></figure>     2025 Class A state runner-up Mahnomen/Waubun graduated some hammers from their 2026 class, but the Thunderbirds are deeper than PRZMN expected and once again look like state title contenders. Stepping into the RB1 for the Thunderbirds in 2026, Zima had a good introduction to his senior campaign, rushing 21 times for 146 yards and 2 TDs in M/W's big win over Walker-Hackensack-Akeley on Thursday night, 41-0. Zima could be one of the most productive 'backs in small school football this year if he keeps up the tradition that the Thunderbirds' rushing room has become accustomed to.   Skillset:   dangerous kick returner   physical, effective blocker who will stick his face into a defender to help his fellow tailbacks out   threw for a TD against Minneota in the Prep Bowl and threw for a TD against Upsala too   CB, three-phase impact   will come upfield, stick ball carriers, and make strong 1v1 tackles in space on the perimeter   sticky man-coverage CB with great ball skills and instincts, not to mention start/stop ability   super dynamic and productive   @ZachZima13     The defending Class 4A champs Orono got off to a rockin' start to their 2026 campaign on Thursday night, defeating Becker 35-28 to overcome a 14-point deficit and earn a hard-fought Week 1 victory. The Spartans, who did graduate some big-time, clutch talent from their 2026 class, but the Metro 4A program has been a real-deal fertile recruiting territory as of late, so you gotta believe the Spartans have reloaded with verified athletes and playmakers. [player_tooltip player_id='1992084' first='Hudson' last='Hirt'] is up there with the best of the best on Orono's 2026 roster, as he posted 115 carries for 558 yards and 2 TDs as a two-way contributor to the eventual Class 4A champion. This has set him up to really impact the Spartans in 2026 as a junior, and he's off to a good start, posting 130 rushing yards and 3 TDs on the ground in Orono's win over the traditional 4A powerhouse Becker. No surprise here, as Hirt had some strong stops on the camp trail this summer, posting some strong athletic times for his age while looking good during 1v1 competition. Hirt's going to be a huge weapon and asset for Orono this fall.   Skillset:   great vision   effective speed, big burst   can manipulate, create, and take advantage of space in the open field   smooth, effective cutter that can pull away from defenders and really change direction with suddenness   love the contact balance and want to run behind his pads. Physical ball carrier who can eat, absorb, and distribute contact well   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Hudson_Hirt/status/1995559714848211145 </div></figure>     Big-time start to his junior season for 2028 NRHEG tailback and multi-phase contributor Sean Lasshan. The junior tallied 117 yards and 4 TDs in NRHEG's tight 42-37 win over Sleepy Eye United, and the multi-sport standout has a really fun skillset and game as a tailback, especially in the open field. The deadly combination of traits in his game could make for some outstanding production and film in the small school ranks of MN prep football in 2026.   Skillset:   great vision, mean stiff arm   strong, dangerous, effective in the open field with ball in-hand   great hands out of the backfield   sets defenders up thanks to his nifty footwork in 1v1 situations   burst   packs a punch for his size     An electric 6', 190 lb. sophomore, TMB's [player_tooltip player_id='1716426' first='Jackson' last='Kruse'] is an eventual four-year starter for the Class A Panthers. This kid needs a bump onto the Big Board ASAP, as he is the owner of some outstanding freshman tape in terms of versatility, playmaking ability, and athleticism compared to his peers and your typical freshman. I'm assuming there's some strong athletic numbers backing his game, and Kruse is starting the season off strong, rushing 17 times for 95 yards and 1 TD and going 14-21 for 253 yards and 3 TDs through the air as TMB defeated MACCRAY 38-16.   Skillset:   freshman starter last year   mobile, accurate on the move, good scrambler   has reps of him scanning the field, getting through his reads, and delivering accurate strikes on time   touch on his downfield throws   reps at WR - great ball skills, 50/50 ability, and catch radius, especially for his size and age   explosive vertical threat as a WR   vision and physicality far above what his age would indicate as a ball carrier   instinctive in pass defense and easily floats under passes as a zone defender   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jackson_kruse5/status/2013435175321899275 </div></figure>     Big Lake, the former home of PRZDAK Lead Scout [player_tooltip player_id='1292716' first='Nate' last='Wahl'], is off to a good start to their 2026 campaign, defeating Delasalle in big-time fashion in Week 1, 54-12. Headlining the win for the Hornets was RB1 Abrahm Koop, a 2027 tailback who popped off 20 rushes for 222 yards and 3 TDs in Week 1 against the Islanders. After a strong offseason, in which Koop has PRed in the weight room with a 405 squat and 230 bench, the playmaker is off to a hot start to his senior season, hopefully building some much-needed recruiting attention while the Hornets work towards a good 2026 campaign in Class 4A.   Skillset:   quick, strong, powerful lateral cuts   sees the cutback well   eye-catching contact balance   good burst   solid speed, can finish big runs for six in 2026 as a senior thanks to a good offseason in the weight room   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/abrahm_k27/status/2048785290953715819 </div></figure>     Maple Grove's [player_tooltip player_id='1506709' first='Julian' last='Cipala'] is very-much on the PRZMN radar, especially given the fact he's one of only a handful of returning starters for the Crimson's defense and will be counted on tremendously in MG's 2026 campaign. The long, lean, 6A experienced DE posted 2 sacks in win over Stilly on Thursday night while really highlighting his speed, bend, and pass-rushing ability off the edge. Cipala went speed-to-power and showed off strong, active hand usage in one of the sacks, luckily caught on tape by the Crimson's X account. Can't wait to see what kind of sack numbers this dude can post as a junior.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Crimsonfootball/status/2095694806131359982 </div></figure>     Another underrated, under-ranked 2027 on the PRZMN radar, [player_tooltip player_id='2164820' first='RJ' last='Houle'] has asserted himself as the multi-phase playmaker to watch on the Becker Bulldog 2026 roster, stepping into the cleats of some tremendous gridiron forebears from the 2020s. Houle tallied 3 catches for 151 yards and 1 TD as a WR and 2 INTs defensively in Becker's one-score loss to Orono, the defending Class 4A champs. His junior film has all his tackles first and big plays later in the tape, so when you're watching 500 game tapes in a week for a ranking's update some kids don't get their due diligence tape-wise, and Houle is a good example of that here. Definite stock riser who is under ranked right now and has some very exciting multi-phase traits and experience already under his belt.   Skillset:   CB that will come up and tackle 1v1 on the perimeter   defeats blocks with proper leverage as the edge defender   loose hips   comfortable under the deep ball   good drops as a zone defender   ballhawk as a FS, good eyes and can play overthrows and misthrows   took a kick back for six in 2025   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Rjhoule10/status/1984663527567573169 </div></figure>    --

Let's get to know some of the breakout stars from Minnesota's Week 1's Thursday night action!