PrepRedzoneMN Heroes of Week 8

We're saying goodbye to our heralded PRZMN Heroes of the Week series with our final installment covering the Week 8 regular season finale, shoutout MEA Break! Game of the year implications and preseason hype, one of the biggest upsets in Class 6A and the return of one of the state's top signal-callers, undefeateds stay undefeated, 6A title contenders assert themselves, thrilling finishes, and more fun score lines and results highlight Minnesota's Week 8 finale of the 2025 season. Where did time go? Additionally, check out our quick-hitting preview of Tuesday and Friday's best games and matchups! Enjoy!   --   Minnesota's Week 8 MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack'] (Moorhead) 2027. WR.   Ready why below!   Moorhead 51, Edina 44   What turned into the game of the week 8, as well as one of the better upsets of the 2025 regular season, Moorhead flexed their 6A potential in a shootout win over Edina on the road at one of 6A's brightest atmospheres. It was finally the return of superstar junior gunslinger [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']' last='Feeney'], who had been absent the past five games to a ill-timed injury, and the energy and playmaking ability the 6'1, 190 lber. brought to the Spuds offense surely empowered them going into the road victory. The Big Names came out to play, especially two of the Top 4 overall QBs, as 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'] (17-20 for 214 yards and 3 TDs/1 INT) and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']' last='Feeney'] (32-38 for 373 yards and 4 TDs to 1 INT) both had big days on the gridiron, throwing for one TD and two TDs, respectively, as the two sides sat at 21-21 at the half. The RBs - P4-offered [player_tooltip player_id='1288313' first='Taye' last='Reich'] (10 for 85 and 2 TDs) and 2026 sleeper [player_tooltip player_id='923840' first='Chase' last='Bjorgaard'] (38 for 170 and 3 TDs) - also had their say in the action, and the second half was all back-and-forth fireworks, highlighted by an 88-yard kickoff return for six by 2027 Moorhead CB and NDSU-offeree [player_tooltip player_id='1694135' first='Zak' last='Walker']. However, Edina seemed to have the upper hand with 1:21 left in the ball game, as West found Breakout Star [player_tooltip player_id='1612777' first='Sammy' last='Stephenson'] for a TD from 21-yards out, setting the table at 44-43 after Bjorgaard finished off the drive with a 2pt carry, but somehow, someway, the Spuds answered. After a beautiful final drive showign poise and big-game ability, Feeney found the best WR in the state [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack'] for the go-ahead score with 10 seconds left in the game. Mack, who always seems to be open and has been nothing by fantastic all of the 2025 regular season, once again grabs the spotlight and the game's biggest moment, breathing life in the developing 2025 Spuds campaign. Take your bow, young man.   Hero: [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack'] (Moorhead) 2027. WR. 6', 170 lbs. - 18 catches for 202 yards and 4 TDs, including the final, go-ahead TD of the ball game with 10 seconds left   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/david1mack/status/1978934545928827347 </div></figure>   Maple Grove 30, Minnetonka 14   PRZMN was in attendance for what was looking like the regular season's Game of the Year, and despite the scoreline, this was a tight ball game for three of the four quarters. Additionally, I have to add that there's a bit of an asterisk on this finish, as 2027 budding-superstar of a junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1029336' first='Caden' last='Gutzmer'] is still out due to a leg injury. The Skippers came out swinging, marching down on the field on back-to-back drives while carving up what is arguably the best defense in the state like only a P4 RB commit can, hello [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois']. Two TD plunges from 5 yards out or less had the Crimson on upset alert, but South Dakota State QB commit [player_tooltip player_id='489731' first='Kaden' last='Harney'] found his footing, answering the call on what was a much-needed TD drive by the defending 6A champs, and Harney finished the drive with a beautifully-touched TD toss to senior Josh Thompson. Maple Grove nearly scored again before halftime ticked away, but the Skippers defense held strong, forcing a FG that got the Crimson within four at halftime, 14-10. The rest of the ball game was all the home team, who scored three more TDs in the second half to snuff out any hope of a comeback. Within all of this excitement, the Crimson's OL, along with MSU-Mankato commit and Crimson RB [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle'], who continued to dash, gash, and burst past the Skippers DL and into space, where multiple defenders were needed to contain the NSIC commit. He finished with a 5.6 YPC average on the night, once again playing like a future Mr. Football finalist. However, Gutzmer was looking mobile on the sideline, so I'd put hypothetical money on the junior gunslinger returning later into the playoffs, possibly setting up a fully-healed rematch between the top two teams in Minnesota.   Hero: [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle'] (Maple Grove) 2026. RB. 5'9, 185 lbs. Committed to MSU-Mankato. - 28 carries for 156 yards and 2 TDs   Honorable Mention:   [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'] (Minnetonka) 2026. QB/RB. 6'2, 200 lbs. - 36 carries for 173 yards and 2 TDs   [player_tooltip player_id='1654702' first='Myles' last='Augustyn'] (Minnetonka) 2027. LB. - 14 tackles   Beaux Thyen (Maple Grove) 2026. OLB. - 11 tackles   [player_tooltip player_id='592225' first='Ryder' last='Skanson'] (Maple Grove) 2026. ILB. - 12 tackes   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChazMootzCCX/status/1978677127575662768 </div></figure>   St. Thomas Academy 35, Mahtomedi 7   A matchup of 5A undefeateds was one of the main events of Minnesota's Week 8, as #1 ranked St. Thomas Academy hosted fellow undefeated Mahtomedi in a showdown with epic potential. However, the Cadets proved their #1 ranking was a fluke, beating up the Zephyrs to the tune of 35-7, with Mahtomedi not scoring until later into the 4th quarter after the score line already sat at 35-0. Strength of schedule is certainly a factor here, as Maht had played considerably weaker talent going into the season finale (no disrespect intended), and I believe that influenced the final result. However, Mahtomedi has more than enough time to rebound now that sections are upon us, as I never look at that first loss as a real bad thing, unless it's win or go home.   Hero: [player_tooltip player_id='592227' first='Todd' last='Rogalski'] (St. Thomas Academy) 2026. DB/ATH. 5'11, 175 lbs. - 8 tackles, 1 INT, 3 catches for 58 yards and 1 TD   Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='1061080' first='Tristan' last='Karl'] (St. Thomas Academy) 2027. QB. - 10/15 for 101 yards and 2 TDs   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ToddRogalski/status/1979347048496533974 </div></figure>   Park of Cottage Grove 33, Eastview 30   Fighting, scrapping, gnawing, clawing for that first win of the 2025 season, Park of Cottage Grove needed some late-game heroics to overcome a talented Eastview Lightning squad, especially after the game sat knotted at 23-23 after the third quarter and 30-30 with 7:09 left in the ball game after Lightning QB Quinn Curry found 2028 6'4, 195 lb. WR Gage Granger for a 4-yard TD catch. However, Wolfpack junior 5'11, 165 lb. PK/P Brady Bachand rose to the occasion, kicking the go-ahead, game-winner with zero time left on the clock. What a finish to the regular season for a scrappy Wolfpack squad.   Hero: Brady Bachand (Park of Cottage Grove) 2027. PK/P. 5'11, 165 lbs. 1-1 on FGs, which was the game winner, as well as 2-3 on PATs   Honorable Mention:   JC Green (Eastview) 2026. RB/DB. 6'4, 200 lbs. - 15 tackles, 12 of which were solos   Jacob Chipman (Park of Cottage Grove) 2026. DB/WR. 6', 160 lbs. - 1 tackle, 2 INTs   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ParkWolfpack/status/1978652117251318051 </div></figure>   Rosemount 20, Lakeville South 15   More 6A news here for your consumption! Rosemount, now at 7-1 in the 2025 season, has asserted themselves as one of 6A's Top 5, maybe Top 3, contenders for the Big School crown, downing a then-6-1 Lakeville South Cougars 20-15 after a 53-yard from Northfield (and Roseville) transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1629203' first='Savion' last='Severson'] - one of the fastest tracks athletes in MN - and a 40-yard flea flicker from 2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1654566' first='Finn' last='Macken'] to 2026 WR Jakhai Hollie, plus some high-quality team defense, to wrap up the Metro South subdistrict title and the #1 seed in the state's Class 6A playoff. Don't count Rosemount out of the state title conversation, folks!   Hero: [player_tooltip player_id='1654566' first='Finn' last='Macken'] (Rosemount) 2028. 6'1, 190 lbs. Game-winning TD pass, eighth consecutive game without an interception   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Finn_Macken1/status/1979598774763937925 </div></figure>   Monticello 43, Bemidji 30   One of the top contenders for the Class 5A crown, as well as one of the most impressive programs throughout every classification of MN football in 2025 so far, Monticello earned yet another impressive regular season win in Week 8 in their 43-30 victory over a tough Bemidji Lumberjacks team in Monticello. The Magic's combination of [player_tooltip player_id='1633387' first='Cale' last='Holthaus'] (2027, 6', 210 lbs.), [player_tooltip player_id='1120535' first='Garett' last='Bauer'] (2026, 5'11, 210 lbs.), and Cole Mueller (2026, 5'9, 190 lbs) totaled 43 carries for 386 yards and 6 TDs on the evening, but the Lumberjacks actually led at half 22-19 and 30-27 after three quarters, but a two touchdown fourth sealed the victory for the home team, setting themselves for the #1 seed in Section 7AAAAA. This Monti team is senior heavy, physical, big in the trenches, potent in the run game, and have playmakers at the top end, so I'm bullish about their state title chances come November. Class 5A is going to be a fun one in 2025, dear readers!   Hero: [player_tooltip player_id='1633387' first='Cale' last='Holthaus'] (Monticello) 2027. RB/LB. 6', 210 lbs. - 23 carries for 187 yards and 3 TDs   Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='1120535' first='Garett' last='Bauer'] (Monticello) 2026. RB/LB. 5'11, 210 lbs. - 9 rushes for 76 yards and 1 TD + 13 tackles   Cole Mueller (Monticello) 2026. RB. 5'9, 190 lbs. 11 carries for 123 yards and 2 TDs   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MonticelloMagic/status/1980239880002081022 </div></figure>   Coon Rapids 36, Roseville 29   Tough sledding for both the Cardinals and the Raiders in 2025, but Coon Rapids did manage to win their second game in the last three contests to build some momentum going into playoffs. Roseville made it about as interesting as possible, but fireworks won out, as 5'11, 180 lb. junior Cardinals QB [player_tooltip player_id='1581335' first='Aidan' last='Snow'] ran in the game-winner from 20 yards out with only 10 ticks of the game clock remaining in the fourth quarter, breaking a 29-29 tie in dramatic fashion. Down 26-15 at half, Coon Rapids came crawling back thanks to a Sean Washington III 8-yard score in the third followed by a 65-yard bomb from Snow to 2027 6'3, 200 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1292278' first='Hudson' last='Tanem'] to take the lead 29-26. However, Roseville answered with a 38-yard FG from junior 6'2, 175 lber. Jonas Harper, but Snow made the final statement of the ball game to give his Cardinals another W.   Hero: [player_tooltip player_id='1581335' first='Aidan' last='Snow'] (Coon Rapids) 2027. QB/ATH. 5'11, 180 lbs. - Threw two TD passes + game-winning, go-ahead TD carry with 10 seconds left in the ball game won Coon Rapids their second game of the 2025 season   Perham 12, Thief River Falls 8   A matchup of Class 3A northern Minnesota squads looking to go .500 in the 2025 regular season, Perham got the game winner in thrilling fashion, as junior defensive back Jayden Bormann picked off an errant Thief River Falls pass, returning it 51 yards for a TD with only 2:41 left in the ball game, giving his Yellowjackets a key win going into sectionals. Hats off to the young DB Bormann for the clutch pick six!   Hero: Jayden Bormann (Perham) 2027. - 51-yard pick-six gave his Yellowjackets the go-ahead winning score   Other Notable Scorelines   Minneapolis Southwest 22, St. Paul Highland Park 21 - Lakers senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='923855' first='Kyler' last='Thom'] found St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id='924228' first='Jacob' last='Hartman'] for a 6-yard pitch & catch, followed by the go-ahead 2pt conversion run from senior Riley Orr to push Minneapolis Southwest over cross-city rival St. Paul Highland Park in Week 8.   Cook County 28, Littlefork-Big Falls 21 - Cook County moves to 7-0 with the win, while L-BF drops to 6-2. Good game in Section 7 9Man action. These two may see each other again very soon.   Rogers 28, Eagan 20 - Rogers gets their third Class 6A win of their inaugural season with the Big Boys. The Royals stopped the Wildcats on a 4th and goal with 5:00 left in the ball game, then got another 4th and goal stop to close out the ball game late in the Week 8 matchup   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RogersRoyalsFB/status/1978629327181766686 </div></figure>   Byron 21, Totino-Grace 14 - Byron moves to 8-0 in the 2025 regular season, but traditional powerhouse TG played the Bears tough at their house.   Goodridge/Grygla-Gatzke 18, Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 14   Bloomington Jefferson 7, Bloomington Kennedy 0 - Bloomington on Bloomington violence here, with Jefferson coming out on top of this slobberknocker 7-0. The two Bloomington schools hadn't played since 2017. I can't find any information on who scored the game winner for the Jags, unfortunately.   Waseca 21, New Ulm 14 - Undefeated Waseca was taken to the brink by a feisty New Ulm squad at home in Week 8   Woodbury 24, East Ridge 15 - Woodbury on Woodbury violence here in Minnesota's Week 8, as crosstown rivals Woodbury and East Ridge did battle in the regular season finale at TCO Stadium. Woodbury got up 24-7 on East Ridge, whose star QB and Gophers basketball commit [player_tooltip player_id='1602754' first='Cedric' last='Tomes'] threw 3 INTs in the ball game. Woodbury moved to 6-2 after the big win in Week 8.   Spring Lake Park 17, Brainerd 10 - Spring Lake Park moves to 8-0 after the win! Don't count the Panthers out of the Class 5A state title conversation.   Rush City 20, Hinckley-Finlayson 16   Warren-Alvarado-Oslo 6, Rothsay 0   Mountain Iron-Buhl 6, Deer River 0 - Fourth win for MIB in their inaugural season up in the 11-man ranks. Deer River's senior CB Zach Mann totaled 6 tackles and 3 INTs in the loss!   Kingsland 8, Lanesboro 0 - 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1581339' first='Bently' last='Wiersma'] scored the lone TD of the ball game. The win pushed Kingsland to 6-2 in 2025.   Lewiston-Altura 21, Southland 14 - Cardinals move to 5-3 in the 2025 season. Henry Wiste, a 2027 6'3, 205 lb. QB for Southland, went 26-42 for 306 yards and 1 TD to 2 INTs + 13 rushes for 37 yards and 1 TD in the loss   Little Falls 9, St. Cloud Apollo 8 - Apollo fell one-point short of the first win of their 2025 season. Apollo also lost 8-6 to Milaca in Week 4 of the regular season   Champlin Park 28, Osseo 21 - Rebels move to 7-1 (lone loss was Week 3 to Centennial) after a win against traditional rival Osseo, who is back on the upswing thanks to their 2025 exploits. 2027 Breakout Star [player_tooltip player_id='1633909' first='Miles' last='Felton'] scored this third rushing TD of the ball game to break the 21-21 tie with Osseo with 6:40 left in the game, which turned out to be the deciding score of the contest   Park Christian 28, Bagley 22 - PRZMN has had a lot of fun eyeing Park Christian's 2025 campaign from afar, and the Falcons notched their sixth win of the regular season in Week 8, holding off a furious 22-point Bagley comeback that was sadly too little, too late. 6'3, 180 lb. Park Christian senior Gavin Giese had a huge game in the win, posting 6 catches for 134 yards and 1 TD + 12 tackles (8 solo) and 1 INT. The Falcons picked off Bagley's QB three times in the win.   Tuesday's Best Games (Tuesday is 5A and under)   Brooklyn Center (4-4) @ Breck (5-3) - Mustangs won the regular season matchup 18-12, which came in Week 6. If Brooklyn Center want to take Round 2, I'm looking at superstar [player_tooltip player_id='1658187' first='Alpha' last='Meaway'] to make some magic   East Grand Forks (4-4) @ Perham (4-4) - Perham was the regular season matchup between the two sides 14-7, which came in Week 2   Randolph (2-6) @ Cannon Falls (4-4) - Randolph is tougher than their 2-6 record indicates. Cannon Falls won the regular season matchup between the two 20-14, which came in Week 1   Maple Lake (5-3) @ Norwood Young America (4-4) - I think these two sides matchup well against each other   Mankato West (3-5) @ Waconia (5-3) - Waconia won the first matchup between the two foes 30-14 in Week 4, but West is a tough 3-5   Rochester Century (2-6) @ Owatonna (4-4) - rematch. Century won the first round 12-7, which was was one of the better games of the 2025 season, occurring in Week 3   St. Peter (6-1) @ Hutchinson (4-4) - Tigers got the higher seed despite a worse record overall and within the section. Both had tough regular season schedules to boot   Friday's Best Games (Friday is all 6A games)   St. Michael-Albertville (3-5) @ Osseo (4-4) - Orioles are a tough 4-4 with wins over Andover and Anoka and near losses to Champlin Park, and STMA gave undefeated Maple Grove a real run for their money in Week 6, along with wins over Moorhead, Wayzata, and Hopkins. Could be a good matchup in this 6A first round contest   Farmington (4-4) @ Edina (4-4) - Farmington has downed Lakeville North and Shakopee so far in 2025. Could they down another traditional power on Friday?   Moorhead (4-4) @ Blaine (5-3) - The Spuds are coming off their best win of the season last Wednesday in their upset of Edina, and are profiting off the return of 2027 star QB [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='Jett' last='Feeney']. Blaine's on upset alert here   --

We're saying goodbye to our heralded PRZMN Heroes of the Week series with our final installment covering the Week 8 regular season finale, shoutout MEA Break! Game of the year implications and preseason hype, one of the biggest upsets in Class 6A and the return of one of the state's top signal-callers, undefeateds stay undefeated, 6A title contenders assert themselves, thrilling finishes, and more fun score lines and results highlight Minnesota's Week 8 finale of the 2025 season. Where did time go? Additionally, check out our quick-hitting preview of Tuesday and Friday's best games and matchups! Enjoy!