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!

A three-sport athlete (Football/Hockey/Baseball), Buettner is fresh off a breakout sophomore campaign that saw him rush for just under 1,400 yards with 15 TDs. His tape is extremely encouraging. Buettner possesses quick cut ability, and when paired with his standout ball carrier vision, he can find run lanes at the LOS with ease. In particular, I love his contact balance. Buettner is often contacted a number of times early on in the play, but finds a way to make defenders miss or bounce off of them. Buettner looks to be a problem and should definitely be an athlete to keep an eye on going forward.

Hill-Murray – led by an astounding wave of underclassmen talent – is off to a 2-1 start with their lone loss coming to #1 ranked Byron, and the Pioneers have been putting up serious numbers in their first two wins of the season. One of the breakout stars of the Pioneers 2025 campaign is sophomore RB Grady Buettner Grady Buettner 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB/ATH Hillmurray | 2028 State MN , who has posted 29 rushes for 311 yards (10.7 YPC) and 4 TDs through three games of action and isn’t looking to slow down anytime soon. Buettner, who is also a stud forward on the Pioneers heavyweight hockey team and an accomplished 3B/OF/UT for HM’s baseball squad, has been explosive for his Pioneers in 2025, showing off a balanced skillset of speed, strength, and vision that has been hard to stop for opposing defenses this fall. Not a ton of film available yet, but PRZMN is eagerly awaiting some updated tape from the sophomore. This Pioneers squad is only getting better week to week.

Buettner opened Hill-Murray’s 52-15 win over Chisago Lakes with a 55-yard touchdown run and later broke free for a 65-yard score, finishing with multiple long plays that showed his speed and confidence as a ball carrier. The sophomore hit his holes decisively, protected the football, and consistently outpaced the defense once he reached the second level. At 5’10, 190 pounds, Buettner runs with precision and urgency. His one-cut burst allows him to glide into open space, and his acceleration makes him a threat to score on any touch. A year ago, he rushed for 262 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry, and he also caught 14 passes for 110 yards. That versatility shows up on tape. Buettner is sharp on cutbacks, fluid in space, and fights for extra yards on contact. His blend of vision, burst, and long speed make him one of the most dangerous young backs in the Metro.

Hill-Murray has quite a sophomore class to behold, and one of their upcoming sophomores who’s due to make a breakout for their offense is Grady Buettner Grady Buettner 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB/ATH Hillmurray | 2028 State MN . Buettner contributed with 262 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground, averaging an impressive 7.1 yards per carry, while also adding 14 receptions for 110 yards. Buettner shows blistering speed around the edge and sharp cutback ability, being able to change direction on the fly, and he consistently puts effort in fighting for additional yards on each carry. One notable play from last season showcased his improvisational ability when he turned a dropped handoff into a long carry. Providing value in the backfield with great speed, agility, and pass-catching value, while also taking reps as a LB, Buettner will have a lot on his hands going forward, but he has what it takes to become a very good asset for Hill-Murray over the next few years.