2025 Minnesota High School Football Thread

[Ranger692]

Football: Minnesota state polls​

First-place votes in parentheses, followed by record, total points, previous ranking.
CLASS 6A
1. Maple Grove (11), 6-0, 110, 1
2. Minnetonka, 6-0, 99, 2
3. Forest Lake, 6-0, 87, 3
4. (tie) Centennial, 5-1, 60, 7
4. (tie) Lakeville South, 5-1, 60, 5
6. Rosemount, 5-1, 58, 4
7. Andover, 5-1, 40, 9t
8. Eden Prairie, 4-2, 39, 4
9. Champlin Park, 5-1, 37, 9t
10. Shakopee, 4-2, 11, 6
Others receiving votes: Woodbury 2, Blaine 1

CLASS 5A
1. St. Thomas Academy (10) 5-0, 109, 1
2. Spring Lake Park (1), 5-0, 87, 2
3. Chanhassen, 5-1, 79, 4
4. Alexandria, 5-1, 71, 3
5. Mahtomedi, 6-0, 67, 6
6. Elk River, 5-1, 65, 5
7. Cretin-Derham Hall, 5-1, 51, 7
8. Monticello, 5-1, 36, 9
9. Rochester Mayo, 5-1, 15, NR
10. Waconia, 4-2, 9, 10
Others receiving votes: Chaska 4, Mankato East 4, Bemidji 3, Buffalo 3, Northfield 2

CLASS 4A

1. Byron (9), 6-0, 108, 1
2. Marshall (2), 6-0, 101, 2
3. Kasson-Mantorville, 5-1, 76, 3
4. Stewartville, 5-1, 58, 7
5. (tie) Grand Rapids, 5-1, 51, 8
5. (tie) Rocori, 5-1, 51, NR
7. Orono, 4-2, 44, 5
8. Fergus Falls, 5-1, 33, 4
9. Hill-Murray, 5-1, 25, 10
10. Hermantown, 5-1, 20, 9
Others receiving votes: Holy Angels 19, North Branch 9, St. Peter 5, South St. Paul 5

CLASS 3A
1. Annandale (8), 6-0, 105, 1
2. Pequot Lakes (1), 6-0, 90, 2
3. Pierz (1), 6-0, 84, 4
4. Waseca (1), 6-0, 80, 3,
5. Minneapolis North, 6-0, 67, 5,
6. Pine Island, 6-0, 50, 6
7. St. Croix Lutheran, 6-0, 42, 7
8. Albany, 5-1, 38, 8t
9. Holy Family, 5-1, 33, 8t
10. Albert Lea, 5-1, 7, 10
Others receiving votes: Luverne 3, Spectrum 3, St. Peter 2, Two Harbors 2, Breck 1, Winona Cotter 1

CLASS 2A
1. Jackson County Central (9), 6-0, 107, 1
2. Chatfield (2), 6-0, 87, 2
3. Holdingford, 6-0, 80, 3
4. Staples-Motley, 6-0, 71, 4
5. Goodhue, 6-0, 63, 5
6. Pillager, 6-0, 59, 6
7. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 6-0, 54, 7
8. Moose Lake-Willow River, 6-0, 53, 8
9. Redwood Valley, 5-1, 12, 9
10. Aitkin, 5-1, 10, NR
Others receiving votes: Eden Valley-Watkins 8, Osakis 6, Barnesville 1, Triton 1

CLASS 1A
1. Minneota (10), 6-0, 107, 1
2. Springfield, 6-0, 93, 2
3. (tie) Fillmore Central (1), 6-0, 80, 3t
3. (tie) Mahnomen/Waubun 6-0, 80, 3t
5. Cleveland, 6-0, 67, 5
6. Breckenridge, 6-0, 59, 6
7. Barnum, 5-1, 39, 8
8. Red Lake County, 5-1, 36, 9
9. Dawson-Boyd, 5-1, 14, NR
10. Mountain Iron-Buhl, 5-1, 10, 7
Others receiving votes: Parkers Prairie 7, Upsala/Swanville 4, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 4, Park Christian 3, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 1

NINE-PLAYER
1. Hills-Beaver Creek (9), 6-0, 106, 1
2. Kittson County Central (1), 7-0, 89, 2
3. Mabel-Canton, 6-0, 79, 4
4. Wabasso (1), 6-0, 59, 6
5. Red Rock Central, 6-0, 63, 5,
6. Hillcrest Lutheran, 6-0, 58, 7t
7. Mille Lacs, 6-0, 45, 7t
8. Edgerton, 5-1, 31, 3
9. Cook County, 5-0, 15, NR
10. Stephen-Argyle, 6-1, 14, NR

Others receiving votes: Bertha-Hewitt 12, Kingsland 12, Cromwell-Wright 11, Spring Grove 5

Recognition of the voters: (Interesting to have St. Peter receiving votes in two classes, so take the polls with a grain of salt.)

The polls are compiled by Strib Varsity staff writer Jim Paulsen from voting by media members across Minnesota. Voters: Randy Shaver, Strib Varsity; Marcus Fuller, Strib Varsity; Jace Frederick, St. Paul Pioneer Press; Pat Ruff, Rochester Post Bulletin; Joe Brown, West Central Tribune; Jamey Malcomb, Duluth News Tribune; Reagan Hoverman, Duluth News Tribune; Brian Jerzak, formerly of Prep RedZone; Steve Thomson, WCCO Radio; Gary Giombetti, Mesabi Daily News; Andy Rennecke, St. Cloud Live; Jim Paulsen, Strib Varsity

Just goes to show that the poll voters only pay attention to upper 2 classes... Filmore Central above Breckenridge is laughable when you compare schedules and QRF#s

 

[fatgopher]

I believe it. And from what I've heard, this class (2030) at Wayzata is a concern because of what I said earlier - the overall size of the kids is unusually small.

Out of curiosity, did your team play at 5, in the game where the Wayzata kid broke his leg in two places, or the 8 pm game, in which you would have played us. I guess it was pretty brutal and they had to call an ambulance. My former coaching partners kid plays for that team.

I coached 4th through 6th, and you're right. We had some good teams. Part of that was some incredible athletes for that age group. We had a kid for two years that could not be stopped. Small, but so unbelievably fast you wouldn't believe it. I coached him in spring flag ball for two years as well. He was special. Unfortunately, he moved away (even worse, right after we picked him for our 6th grade team and we didn't know and they never informed anyone.) We also had some kids in that came from other districts that didn't start tackle until later, like Delano and Hopkins, that went back to their home districts.

There's also attrition. Several good athletes decided to concentrate on basketball and baseball now.

Late game.

Bummer to hear about the broken leg. We've had a broken collar bone and ulna/radius so far on our squad, two of our better players. 4th grade was tickle tackling but it's becoming full contact.

 

[Ope3]

Football: Minnesota state polls​

First-place votes in parentheses, followed by record, total points, previous ranking.


CLASS 5A
1. St. Thomas Academy (10) 5-0, 109, 1
2. Spring Lake Park (1), 5-0, 87, 2
3. Chanhassen, 5-1, 79, 4
4. Alexandria, 5-1, 71, 3
5. Mahtomedi, 6-0, 67, 6
6. Elk River, 5-1, 65, 5
7. Cretin-Derham Hall, 5-1, 51, 7
8. Monticello, 5-1, 36, 9
9. Rochester Mayo, 5-1, 15, NR
10. Waconia, 4-2, 9, 10
Others receiving votes: Chaska 4, Mankato East 4, Bemidji 3, Buffalo 3, Northfield 2

Good to see Northfield in the "Others" category. Been a while. At 4-2 their defeats were to the teams currently ranked #9 Mayo & #10 Waconia.

Inside baseball, is former longtime HC Bubba Sullivan (300+Ws & Prep Bowl Championship) has returned this season as OC. They have been lighting the scoreboard up, but also on defense too.

With just one Sec 1-5A game left, Mayo will be locked into the #1 Seed and Northfield #2.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Just goes to show that the poll voters only pay attention to upper 2 classes... Filmore Central above Breckenridge is laughable when you compare schedules and QRF#s

Makes sense. Their audience is primarily going to be made up of people in the bigger schools areas so I am sure for the lower classes they are relying on records and final scores as opposed to more detailed breakdowns. Going to be far less common for them to see those lower division schools in person.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Just goes to show that the poll voters only pay attention to upper 2 classes... Filmore Central above Breckenridge is laughable when you compare schedules and QRF#s

Spectrum receiving votes in 3A is crazy. Their schedule consists of 4 charter school opponents and a couple terrible 4A schools.

Stephen-Argyle is #10 in 9P and only loss it to #2 on the road by 2 points.
Edgerton was destroyed by the #1 team and ranked #8 currently.

1A has the #7 teams having a 54 point win over the #10 team. Something doesn't compute there.
2A Redwood Valley ranked over Eden Valley Watkins, yet lost to them H2H. EVW lost to #1 by 7.
3A Has St. Peter recieving votes and they are 4A
4A Looks decent
5A STA and SLP are both 6-0 and not 5-0.
6A Centennial lost to Andover and Andover lost to Champlin. Centennial beat Champlin.


These guys look at records only.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

Wait! St Peter is both in 3A and 4A? Apparently, they are a better 4A team than 3A team BTW.

 

[Ranger692]

Spectrum receiving votes in 3A is crazy. Their schedule consists of 4 charter school opponents and a couple terrible 4A schools.

Stephen-Argyle is #10 in 9P and only loss it to #2 on the road by 2 points.
Edgerton was destroyed by the #1 team and ranked #8 currently.

1A has the #7 teams having a 54 point win over the #10 team. Something doesn't compute there.
2A Redwood Valley ranked over Eden Valley Watkins, yet lost to them H2H. EVW lost to #1 by 7.
3A Has St. Peter recieving votes and they are 4A
4A Looks decent
5A STA and SLP are both 6-0 and not 5-0.
6A Centennial lost to Andover and Andover lost to Champlin. Centennial beat Champlin.


These guys look at records only.

My point exactly. A quick look at the sections in class A. All section records are just at or just below .500. All within about 4 wins one way or another, except section 6. Section 6 is 29-19. Section 6 has a large geographic footprint and some teams are playing few section 6 games, but have a 20-9 record against all non section 6 teams. It took me about 4 minutes of digging to find at that.


If you have a vote, you'd think you'd be have the motivation to look like you knew what you were doing.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Football: Minnesota state polls​

First-place votes in parentheses, followed by record, total points, previous ranking.
CLASS 6A
1. Maple Grove (11), 6-0, 110, 1
2. Minnetonka, 6-0, 99, 2
3. Forest Lake, 6-0, 87, 3
4. (tie) Centennial, 5-1, 60, 7
4. (tie) Lakeville South, 5-1, 60, 5
6. Rosemount, 5-1, 58, 4
7. Andover, 5-1, 40, 9t
8. Eden Prairie, 4-2, 39, 4
9. Champlin Park, 5-1, 37, 9t
10. Shakopee, 4-2, 11, 6
Others receiving votes: Woodbury 2, Blaine 1

CLASS 5A
1. St. Thomas Academy (10) 5-0, 109, 1
2. Spring Lake Park (1), 5-0, 87, 2
3. Chanhassen, 5-1, 79, 4
4. Alexandria, 5-1, 71, 3
5. Mahtomedi, 6-0, 67, 6
6. Elk River, 5-1, 65, 5
7. Cretin-Derham Hall, 5-1, 51, 7
8. Monticello, 5-1, 36, 9
9. Rochester Mayo, 5-1, 15, NR
10. Waconia, 4-2, 9, 10
Others receiving votes: Chaska 4, Mankato East 4, Bemidji 3, Buffalo 3, Northfield 2

CLASS 4A

1. Byron (9), 6-0, 108, 1
2. Marshall (2), 6-0, 101, 2
3. Kasson-Mantorville, 5-1, 76, 3
4. Stewartville, 5-1, 58, 7
5. (tie) Grand Rapids, 5-1, 51, 8
5. (tie) Rocori, 5-1, 51, NR
7. Orono, 4-2, 44, 5
8. Fergus Falls, 5-1, 33, 4
9. Hill-Murray, 5-1, 25, 10
10. Hermantown, 5-1, 20, 9
Others receiving votes: Holy Angels 19, North Branch 9, St. Peter 5, South St. Paul 5

CLASS 3A
1. Annandale (8), 6-0, 105, 1
2. Pequot Lakes (1), 6-0, 90, 2
3. Pierz (1), 6-0, 84, 4
4. Waseca (1), 6-0, 80, 3,
5. Minneapolis North, 6-0, 67, 5,
6. Pine Island, 6-0, 50, 6
7. St. Croix Lutheran, 6-0, 42, 7
8. Albany, 5-1, 38, 8t
9. Holy Family, 5-1, 33, 8t
10. Albert Lea, 5-1, 7, 10
Others receiving votes: Luverne 3, Spectrum 3, St. Peter 2, Two Harbors 2, Breck 1, Winona Cotter 1

CLASS 2A
1. Jackson County Central (9), 6-0, 107, 1
2. Chatfield (2), 6-0, 87, 2
3. Holdingford, 6-0, 80, 3
4. Staples-Motley, 6-0, 71, 4
5. Goodhue, 6-0, 63, 5
6. Pillager, 6-0, 59, 6
7. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 6-0, 54, 7
8. Moose Lake-Willow River, 6-0, 53, 8
9. Redwood Valley, 5-1, 12, 9
10. Aitkin, 5-1, 10, NR
Others receiving votes: Eden Valley-Watkins 8, Osakis 6, Barnesville 1, Triton 1

CLASS 1A
1. Minneota (10), 6-0, 107, 1
2. Springfield, 6-0, 93, 2
3. (tie) Fillmore Central (1), 6-0, 80, 3t
3. (tie) Mahnomen/Waubun 6-0, 80, 3t
5. Cleveland, 6-0, 67, 5
6. Breckenridge, 6-0, 59, 6
7. Barnum, 5-1, 39, 8
8. Red Lake County, 5-1, 36, 9
9. Dawson-Boyd, 5-1, 14, NR
10. Mountain Iron-Buhl, 5-1, 10, 7
Others receiving votes: Parkers Prairie 7, Upsala/Swanville 4, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 4, Park Christian 3, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 1

NINE-PLAYER
1. Hills-Beaver Creek (9), 6-0, 106, 1
2. Kittson County Central (1), 7-0, 89, 2
3. Mabel-Canton, 6-0, 79, 4
4. Wabasso (1), 6-0, 59, 6
5. Red Rock Central, 6-0, 63, 5,
6. Hillcrest Lutheran, 6-0, 58, 7t
7. Mille Lacs, 6-0, 45, 7t
8. Edgerton, 5-1, 31, 3
9. Cook County, 5-0, 15, NR
10. Stephen-Argyle, 6-1, 14, NR

Others receiving votes: Bertha-Hewitt 12, Kingsland 12, Cromwell-Wright 11, Spring Grove 5

Recognition of the voters: (Interesting to have St. Peter receiving votes in two classes, so take the polls with a grain of salt.)

The polls are compiled by Strib Varsity staff writer Jim Paulsen from voting by media members across Minnesota. Voters: Randy Shaver, Strib Varsity; Marcus Fuller, Strib Varsity; Jace Frederick, St. Paul Pioneer Press; Pat Ruff, Rochester Post Bulletin; Joe Brown, West Central Tribune; Jamey Malcomb, Duluth News Tribune; Reagan Hoverman, Duluth News Tribune; Brian Jerzak, formerly of Prep RedZone; Steve Thomson, WCCO Radio; Gary Giombetti, Mesabi Daily News; Andy Rennecke, St. Cloud Live; Jim Paulsen, Strib Varsity

Interesting to see several of the 9 man teams have played 7 games already. It looks like they played their first game a week earlier than everyone else.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Maybe we can put out an official Gopherhole top 10 in each class.

 

[Schnauzer]

In the new facilities world, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop has combined their three schools in three different communities to ONE K-12 School in Gibbon. New facilities and arenas are being built all over the new GFW campus currently. Halfway through the football season, the team moved from Winthrop to the new field in Gibbon, where the new high school, track, gym, and other sports fields are still under construction.

If you haven't spent time before a game planning which end of the field will have a wind advantage... you haven't played a game in prairie/farm country.

 

[MaxyJR1]

In the new facilities world, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop has combined their three schools in three different communities to ONE K-12 School in Gibbon. New facilities and arenas are being built all over the new GFW campus currently. Halfway through the football season, the team moved from Winthrop to the new field in Gibbon, where the new high school, track, gym, and other sports fields are still under construction.

If you haven't spent time before a game planning which end of the field will have a wind advantage... you haven't played a game in prairie/farm country.

Great move by the communities for the future to build it centrally to the district, in Gibbon. These projects help build and sustain a community.

 

[GophersInIowa]

In the new facilities world, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop has combined their three schools in three different communities to ONE K-12 School in Gibbon. New facilities and arenas are being built all over the new GFW campus currently. Halfway through the football season, the team moved from Winthrop to the new field in Gibbon, where the new high school, track, gym, and other sports fields are still under construction.

If you haven't spent time before a game planning which end of the field will have a wind advantage... you haven't played a game in prairie/farm country.

Very nice, especially for a Class 1A school/program.