Onto the non-varsity representatives of this Minnesota football/hockey hybrid feature, and no better place to start than with the 4x state hockey champs Hill-Murray! With tremendous talent on both the men’s and women’s hockey teams walking the halls in Maplewood, it shouldn’t go unnoticed that the Pioneers are home to some tremendous up-and-coming young prospects on their football team, namely RB Grady Buettner. An eventual three-year starter and four-year varsity contributor, Buettner broke out at the Pioneers‘ RB1 in 2025, finishing the 9-2 campaign and Class 4A quarterfinal appearance with 211 attempts for 1,377 yards (6.5 YPC) and 15 TDs in what was an excellent sophomore season. Additionally, Buettner is a three-sport standout for Hill-Murray who also excels at hockey and baseball, manning a spot on the Pioneers’ non-varsity ranks of their hockey team.

As a sophomore, Buettner showed the top speed to easily cruise past pursuers like they’re in the slow motion and burn past even good pursuit angles like it’s a stroll in the park. I really like how quickly he can accelerate and get vertical once he sticks his cleat in the turf and works upfield, and if he has space, it’s one cut and he’s gone. The Woodbury product shows great burst that can go from 0-60 in a blink, impressive contact balance for his age and size that can bounce weaker tackle attempts off his lower body, and he’s a smooth cutter with noticeable COD ability. Keep your eyes and ears out for the Pioneers these next two seasons!

Onto the non-varsity representatives of this Minnesota football/hockey hybrid feature, and no better place to start than with the 4x state hockey champs Hill-Murray! With tremendous talent on both the men’s and women’s hockey teams walking the halls in Maplewood, it shouldn’t go unnoticed that the Pioneers are home to some tremendous up-and-coming young prospects on their football team, namely RB Grady Buettner. An eventual three-year starter and four-year varsity contributor, Buettner broke out at the Pioneers‘ RB1 in 2025, finishing the 9-2 campaign and Class 4A quarterfinal appearance with 211 attempts for 1,377 yards (6.5 YPC) and 15 TDs in what was an excellent sophomore season. Additionally, Buettner is a three-sport standout for Hill-Murray who also excels at hockey and baseball, manning a spot on the Pioneers’ non-varsity ranks of their hockey team.

As a sophomore, Buettner showed the top speed to easily cruise past pursuers like they’re in the slow motion and burn past even good pursuit angles like it’s a stroll in the park. I really like how quickly he can accelerate and get vertical once he sticks his cleat in the turf and works upfield, and if he has space, it’s one cut and he’s gone. The Woodbury product shows great burst that can go from 0-60 in a blink, impressive contact balance for his age and size that can bounce weaker tackle attempts off his lower body, and he’s a smooth cutter with noticeable COD ability. Keep your eyes and ears out for the Pioneers these next two seasons!