2025 Minnesota High School Football Thread

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MNVCGUY said:
Brackets are posted. Not thrilled with the draw Rosemount got. Prior Lake/Minnetonka in round 2 could be a good one.

Shakopee/Centenial as well

2025 State Class AAAAAA Football Tournament | MSHSL

State Tournament tickets should be purchased online at MSHSL Tickets State Tournament Souvenir Programs can be found at MSHSL Programs Game stats will be available in the Game Details following each game. Click/tap the blue i in each game to access Game Details.
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Potential Quaterfinals

Rosemount vs Prior Lake/Minnetonka
EP/Champlin vs Forest Lake/Edina
MG vs Lakeville South
Centennial/Shakopee vs Moorhead/Blaine/Woodbury


First Round Seed Upset Alerts

STMA5 over Osseo4
Rogers6 over Mounds View3
Andover5 over East Ridger4
Moorhead6 over Blaine3
 

FireDaveLee said:
Arguments for all orders exist.

Having seen all 3, I would go Moorhead-Edina-STMA, but just my opinion. STMA played MG & EP tough. I'd pick at least 2 of the 3 winning their first playoff game & whichever 3 gets the 6 could be looking at trouble.
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I’m sure they went non-Hopkins section record to give Edina 4

Then head to head 5-6
 

MinnGopher said:
Kind of a tough call to make either way-Hutch played an absolute grinder of a schedule while St Peter did their job against weaker competition. I am a Hutch fan but kind of expected St Peter to get the 4 although I think Hutch wins that matchup
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Yeah, I guess if you play a schedule like that in any class where you play almost all smaller class teams you know you're setting yourself up for seeding issues and probably have to win out to get a good seed. Maybe fair, maybe not fair but that's the way it is.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
Bulletin Board material. Should be a great game. St. Peter played all AAA games, so tough to tell, but they play defense giving up 6 points a game. Lost opening week to (8-0) Waseca 7-6 getting stopped on a 2pt conversion to win. Beat Albert Lea and quality Fairmont team. I thought 3 seed was in play but coaches thought otherwise. Really no common opponents on with other teams in their schedule. St. Peter, I believe is one of the smallest 4A enrollments.
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For sure, I bet St. Peter wants to go in to the playoffs and put a beating on Hutch to show they deserved a higher seed and then they want to beat Marshall and Rocori too to further the point. Should be interesting to watch, but I think I would probably favor Hutch a little in that game but Hutch is going to have to bring their best game or they could be staying home after that game.
 


mcrow47 said:
Yeah, I guess if you play a schedule like that in any class where you play almost all smaller class teams you know you're setting yourself up for seeding issues and probably have to win out to get a good seed. Maybe fair, maybe not fair but that's the way it is.
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I really don't understand why St. Peter and New Ulm weren't put with the teams in their class. Did they ask for the 3A schedule? Travel would been about the same to Hutch, Marshall, Delano, Orono, Westonka etc, then Fairmont, Albert Lea, Worthington etc.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
I really don't understand why St. Peter and New Ulm weren't put with the teams in their class. Did they ask for the 3A schedule? Travel would been about the same to Hutch, Marshall, Delano, Orono, Westonka etc, then Fairmont, Albert Lea, Worthington etc.
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IDK, how scheduling works these days I guess. I know it used be you had to play X number of conference games, X number of section games or something like that but doesn't seem that way anymore.

But yeah, St. Peter is about an hour from Hutch I think. 1h 45m to Becker, little over an hour to Delano, Orono, and Westonka. It's similar to some of the travel times to these smaller schools they play. Just seems odd to me they couldn't schedule at least 3-4 teams in 4A. I could see not playing Becker being close to 2hrs with late day traffic and Marshall is about 2hrs but there seems to be plenty of 4A schools within an hour or so that they could schedule more of them. Maybe they did try and just couldn't make it work for some reason. I know Hutch tends to play Becker, Rocori, Willmar, T-G, and Delano most years which doesn't leave you a lot of other games to get in there an they also seem like they rotate in Big Lake. And with realignment for Marshall they will probably be playing Marshall in the regular season most of the time now too. Maybe St. Peter is the odd man out when scheduling is done.

But like I said, not really sure what scheduling requirements are anymore.
 

TG gets their free pass to State again. Already beat #2 seed in their section by 35. TG is 4-4.

How good is section 1 with Stewartville, K-M and Byron? TG played one score games with Stewartville and Byron, but lost by 21 to Rocori and 41 to Hutch.

Section 2 winner might be the team to beat.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
TG gets their free pass to State again. Already beat #2 seed in their section by 35. TG is 4-4.

How good is section 1 with Stewartville, K-M and Byron? TG played one score games with Stewartville and Byron, but lost by 21 to Rocori and 41 to Hutch.

Section 2 winner might be the team to beat.
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I'm thinking section 2 is the power Section this year. Heck, Hutch is 4-4 but they are probably better than a few of the teams that are going to make it to state and probably a good match most of the rest.

I kinda feel like that winner of the Hutch vs St. Peter game is a potential spoiler. Hutch has looked like a totally different team the last three since they figured out the run game and stopped throwing the ball so much. They probably will be much more of an issue for Marshall should they meet up again and if St. Peter beats Hutch it proves they could be a threat too.
 



MaxyJR1 said:
I really don't understand why St. Peter and New Ulm weren't put with the teams in their class. Did they ask for the 3A schedule? Travel would been about the same to Hutch, Marshall, Delano, Orono, Westonka etc, then Fairmont, Albert Lea, Worthington etc.
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The way I heard it is that they intentionally ducked most of the section and that’s why they were penalized with the seeding. Playing a schedule of 3A schools doesn’t help the cause either
 

MaxyJR1 said:
TG gets their free pass to State again. Already beat #2 seed in their section by 35. TG is 4-4.

How good is section 1 with Stewartville, K-M and Byron? TG played one score games with Stewartville and Byron, but lost by 21 to Rocori and 41 to Hutch.

Section 2 winner might be the team to beat.
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I think a lot of has changed over the season and expect ROCORI Marshall to be closer, but I think it’s between them and section 1AAAA
 


MaxyJR1 said:
Potential Quaterfinals

Rosemount vs Prior Lake/Minnetonka
EP/Champlin vs Forest Lake/Edina
MG vs Lakeville South
Centennial/Shakopee vs Moorhead/Blaine/Woodbury


First Round Seed Upset Alerts

STMA5 over Osseo4
Rogers6 over Mounds View3
Andover5 over East Ridger4
Moorhead6 over Blaine3
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Interesting how it shook out but agree that the Forest Lake and Centennial brackets seem much more wide open then the Rosemount and Maple Grove ones.

Feels like the survivors from the Rosemount/Maple Grove brackets have a great shot of reaching the championship game. But anything can happen in the playoffs and a lot will hinge on how healthy teams can stay as they move through the playoffs.
 



mcrow47 said:
I'm thinking section 2 is the power Section this year. Heck, Hutch is 4-4 but they are probably better than a few of the teams that are going to make it to state and probably a good match most of the rest.

I kinda feel like that winner of the Hutch vs St. Peter game is a potential spoiler. Hutch has looked like a totally different team the last three since they figured out the run game and stopped throwing the ball so much. They probably will be much more of an issue for Marshall should they meet up again and if St. Peter beats Hutch it proves they could be a threat too.
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Section 1 is a three team race with Byron, KM and Stewartville

Section 2 is Marshall's to lose, but 5 quality teams in that section.

Section 3 Hill-Murray and S St Paul are 1-2 at 7-1. Hill-Murray got destroyed by Byron and beat SSP H2H by 21.

Section 4 Totino Grace at 4-4 should roll

Section 5 Holy Angels is #1 and beat Benilde and SMB already, but good games. Holy Angels lost to Byron by 30 and Benilde lost Marshall by 41.

Section 6 Orono, Zimmerman and Delano. 3 way tie with Orono beating Zimmerman and Delano beating Orono. Zimmerman had weaker schedule, Orono gave Marshall their toughest game losting by 1, but lost to Byron by 3 TD's.

Section 7 Grand Rapids and Hermantown. Hard to tell as this is Hockey country and these teams play a mix of 3A, 4A, and 5A schedule. Grand Rapids won H2H by 14.

Section 8 Fergus Falls and Becker. Fergus Falls won H2H by 21. Becker lost to Rocori, TG, Fergus Falls, and Orono. Fergus Falls to Marshall and Rocori
 


MaxyJR1 said:
Section 1 is a three team race with Byron, KM and Stewartville

Section 2 is Marshall's to lose, but 5 quality teams in that section.

Section 3 Hill-Murray and S St Paul are 1-2 at 7-1. Hill-Murray got destroyed by Byron and beat SSP H2H by 21.

Section 4 Totino Grace at 4-4 should roll

Section 5 Holy Angels is #1 and beat Benilde and SMB already, but good games. Holy Angels lost to Byron by 30 and Benilde lost Marshall by 41.

Section 6 Orono, Zimmerman and Delano. 3 way tie with Orono beating Zimmerman and Delano beating Orono. Zimmerman had weaker schedule, Orono gave Marshall their toughest game losting by 1, but lost to Byron by 3 TD's.

Section 7 Grand Rapids and Hermantown. Hard to tell as this is Hockey country and these teams play a mix of 3A, 4A, and 5A schedule. Grand Rapids won H2H by 14.

Section 8 Fergus Falls and Becker. Fergus Falls won H2H by 21. Becker lost to Rocori, TG, Fergus Falls, and Orono. Fergus Falls to Marshall and Rocori
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One thing about 4A is there may be some favorites but a lot of odd crossover game scores too. I would not be surprised if neither Marshall or Byron endup in the prep bowl. Like Orono seems like they should have a better record than they do. Rocori and Hutch playing a very close game but Hutch getting destroyed by Becker? Orono nearly beats Marshall, but lost to Delano?

4A is a class to watch for someone unexpected to make an upset or two at State or maybe even in sections. Orono strikes me as a team that for some reason that could pull something off. Then we don't 100% know how section 1 & 2 are going to shake out. Marshall seems to be the clear favorite going in but not sure if that holds up. Lots of close games in section 1 this year.

Will be an exciting class to follow for the playoffs.
 

Does anyone happen to know why there are only 43 teams in 5A? I had thought the next 48 after the 6A cutoff were automatically 5A, but only sections 1, 4, and 6 have six-team brackets - the other five sections have only five. Were some schools granted relief to go down to 4A?
 

xyz1 said:
Does anyone happen to know why there are only 43 teams in 5A? I had thought the next 48 after the 6A cutoff were automatically 5A, but only sections 1, 4, and 6 have six-team brackets - the other five sections have only five. Were some schools granted relief to go down to 4A?
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Were there some teams that opted to play up that decided to go back down for this season? I think there are 6 teams in all 4A sections now, there used to be only 5. I didn't really pay attention to any movement that way this year, i guess.

EDIT: looking like Maybe only 32 in 6A & 5A. 49 in 4A. I think 32 was the number in the top 2 classes last year, right? Looks the same this year and 4A gained 5.
 

5A

Section 1: Mayo is 1 seed at 4-1 in section and 4-4 overall beat #2 Northfield by 7 in season. Lost to St. Thomas Academy, Chaska, Chanhassen and Owatonna. (Flip a coin with Mayo, Northfield and Owatonna)

Section 2: Chanhassen went 4-0 in section. Chaska is 2 Seed and Mankato East 3 Seed. Both handled East and Chan beat Chaska H2H by 14.

Section 3: St. Thomas Academy will roll at 8-0 and Hasting #2 at 4-4. H2H STA by 35. they also beat Chanhassen by two TD's.

Section 4: Mahtomedi and CDH. Mahtomedi by 1 in H@H of CDH. Both lost to STA. CDH lost to Elk River by 34.

Section 5: Bloomington Jefferson is #1 at 3-5. Mix of Mpls. Schools in section. Lost H2H to 4 seed Washburn by 28 week 1. St. Louis Park #2 and lost to Jefferson by 7. Southwest Mpls. 3 Seed.

Section 6: Spring Lake Park 8-0 is #1 with Buffalo (moved down to 5A this year) the 2 seed. H2H SLP won by 14. Both beat 3 seed Armstong

Section 7: Monticello and Elk River. Monticello won H2H by 8. Monticello's only lost is 7-0 to Alexandria. Monticello crushed Buffalo.

Section 8: Alexandia is 7-1 and beat Bemidji the 2 seed by 1 point. Alex crushed Elk River and beat Monticello by 1. Sartell is 3 and Brainerd 4 seeds.
 
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mcrow47 said:
One thing about 4A is there may be some favorites but a lot of odd crossover game scores too. I would not be surprised if neither Marshall or Byron endup in the prep bowl. Like Orono seems like they should have a better record than they do. Rocori and Hutch playing a very close game but Hutch getting destroyed by Becker? Orono nearly beats Marshall, but lost to Delano?

4A is a class to watch for someone unexpected to make an upset or two at State or maybe even in sections. Orono strikes me as a team that for some reason that could pull something off. Then we don't 100% know how section 1 & 2 are going to shake out. Marshall seems to be the clear favorite going in but not sure if that holds up. Lots of close games in section 1 this year.

Will be an exciting class to follow for the playoffs.
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Orono may have had a hangover loss to Delano after a 1 point loss to Marshall.
 

xyz1 said:
Does anyone happen to know why there are only 43 teams in 5A? I had thought the next 48 after the 6A cutoff were automatically 5A, but only sections 1, 4, and 6 have six-team brackets - the other five sections have only five. Were some schools granted relief to go down to 4A?
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1760639167891.png

From the League website for the next two years. I believe this is the goal and if teams petition up or down they may not meet the required number.

They can't bump up a team due to teams option down but can move a team down if a team options up would seem to be the theory.

Coon Rapids optioned up to 6A knocking Apple Valley down.
Guessing 3 5A schools optioned down to 4A. Austin, North St. Paul, and possibly a MPLS or ST. Paul school.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
View attachment 39538

From the League website for the next two years. I believe this is the goal and if teams petition up or down they may not meet the required number.

They can't bump up a team due to teams option down but can move a team down if a team options up would seem to be the theory.

Coon Rapids optioned up to 6A knocking Apple Valley down.
Guessing 3 5A schools optioned down to 4A. Austin, North St. Paul, and possibly a MPLS or ST. Paul school.
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Austin has been down at 4A since the previous realignment in 2023. They're playing a schedule of mostly 3A teams and even a 2A and are still pretty much non-competitive. I think it will take some time to build that program back to even competitive.
 

xyz1 said:
Does anyone happen to know why there are only 43 teams in 5A? I had thought the next 48 after the 6A cutoff were automatically 5A, but only sections 1, 4, and 6 have six-team brackets - the other five sections have only five. Were some schools granted relief to go down to 4A?
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Because politics runs the Mshsl rather than consistency
 

MaxyJR1 said:
View attachment 39538

From the League website for the next two years. I believe this is the goal and if teams petition up or down they may not meet the required number.

They can't bump up a team due to teams option down but can move a team down if a team options up would seem to be the theory.

Coon Rapids optioned up to 6A knocking Apple Valley down.
Guessing 3 5A schools optioned down to 4A. Austin, North St. Paul, and possibly a MPLS or ST. Paul school.
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If the classifications are really about fairness the fact they let teams opt down is hypocritical.

Team X is so bad that they can move down and hand team Y a loss when team Y doesn’t qualify to play team X

Any time you’re picking a winner you’re also picking a loser

If you let a team opt down. You’re helping them but hurting the team they’re playing that shouldn’t have to play them
 
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Some guy said:
If the classifications are really about fairness the fact they let teams opt down is hypocritical.

Team X is so bad that they can move down and hand team Y a loss when team Y doesn’t qualify to play team X

Any time you’re picking a winner you’re also picking a loser

If you let a team opt down. You’re helping them but hurting the team they’re playing that shouldn’t have to play them
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You don't have to be bad to opt down, Pillager opted down and they are a top team in class AA. Last year they played a class A schedule...
 



I
Some guy said:
I am talking playoff not regular season
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???
They are playing down during both regular season and playoffs

Pillager should be a AAA team, they are in class AA

Last year they should have been in AAA and they were in AA but they played almost an entire class A schedule They went 7-1 last year.

All I was saying is the MSHSL doesn't seem to care if you are good or bad to opt down.
 

Ranger692 said:
I

???
They are playing down during both regular season and playoffs

Pillager should be a AAA team, they are in class AA

Last year they should have been in AAA and they were in AA but they played almost an entire class A schedule They went 7-1 last year.

All I was saying is the MSHSL doesn't seem to care if you are good or bad to opt down.
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Yup
And moving down hurt every team they played (8)
 

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