2025 Minnesota High School Football Thread

[Ope3]

That is pretty wide open. Mayo beat NP by 3 during season and Owatonna lost o Northfield by 21, but beat Mayo.

Since Northfield beat Owatonna, I have heard second hand that the Huskies made some changes, inserting a few under-classmen to the starting lineup.

 

[Some guy]

That's a poor mindset to give 16-18 year olds IMO, but they may have had health issues and they were the underdog on the road at New Prague.

18 lower seeds won out of 118 games. Of those 18...

5A had two 5's over 4.
4A had three 5's over 4 and one 6 over 3.
3A had two 6's over 3 and one 5 over 4
2A had two 6's over 3 and two 5's over 4
1A had three 5's over 4
9P had one 6 over 3 and one 5 over 4

I know not a ton of 2-7 and 1-8 games but this is more proof to give 7 and 8s a 9th game vs each other rather than playoffs.

By class number of teams:
6a 32
5a 43
4a 49
3a 55
2a 56
1a 57
9man 57

Leave 9 player alone for reasons.
48.7

Long term I’d love to see

Go 6a - 48 - 8 6-team sections. Play your section weeks 3-7. Self schedule within the class weeks 1, 2 and 8. Could self schedule outside the class by creating a 4 team agreement with two from each class.

Top 4 from each team make section in similar format to current 6a (each quadrant of 8 would have 1 from each section but there are now 2 1s, 2 2s, etc)

5a - 48 - same

4a - 48 - same

3a - 48 - same
.
2a - 48 - same

1a - 52 - the change is;
4 sections of 7
Those 4 sections of 7 combine with another section of 7 to make a group of 14. Make an 8 game schedule of those 14 where you play all 6 of your 7 plus two of the other 7.
In those two sections…4/7 make playoff instead of 4/6.



9 man left alone because it’s a different sport


This also fixes the wednesday-Tuesday-Saturday-Friday issue for all classes except 9 man

 

[Ranger692]

Section 6AA with a pair of state tournament matchups this weekend, at least in game quality anyways... All 4 teams in top 6 QRF rankings

Osakis 8-1 @ Pillager 8-0
Staples Motley 8-1 @ Holdingford 9-0

 

[MaxyJR1]

St. Paul vs Mpls. This year they got back to more cross city games and brought back the title game. Minneapolis North won the City Championship. Minneapolis teams went 10-0 vs St. Paul teams.
St. Paul Johnson was the top St. Paul team and beat Simley in 5 over 4 game last night.
Roosevelt beat Richfield in a 5 over 4 game.
Camden beat Concordia Academy 6 over 3.

 

[stemar]

In 5A, Rochester JM rested their starters in the final regular season game vs. Mankato West (Lost 61-0), so they would be ready to play in the first round of the playoffs. Guess that didn't work as they got beat by New Prague 39 - 30 (Lost to them as well in Regular season 38 - 22)

I was happy to see them lose after that stunt. I would want a coach to teach the players to face all obstacles, not look for an advantage in this way. Every team was facing the same schedule. I have heard through the grapevine that many players and parents were not happy.

 

[MaxyJR1]

I know not a ton of 2-7 and 1-8 games but this is more proof to give 7 and 8s a 9th game vs each other rather than playoffs.

By class number of teams:
6a 32
5a 43
4a 49
3a 55
2a 56
1a 57
9man 57

Leave 9 player alone for reasons.
48.7

Long term I’d love to see

Go 6a - 48 - 8 6-team sections. Play your section weeks 3-7. Self schedule within the class weeks 1, 2 and 8. Could self schedule outside the class by creating a 4 team agreement with two from each class.

Top 4 from each team make section in similar format to current 6a (each quadrant of 8 would have 1 from each section but there are now 2 1s, 2 2s, etc)

5a - 48 - same

4a - 48 - same

3a - 48 - same
.
2a - 48 - same

1a - 52 - the change is;
4 sections of 7
Those 4 sections of 7 combine with another section of 7 to make a group of 14. Make an 8 game schedule of those 14 where you play all 6 of your 7 plus two of the other 7.
In those two sections…4/7 make playoff instead of 4/6.



9 man left alone because it’s a different sport


This also fixes the wednesday-Tuesday-Saturday-Friday issue for all classes except 9 man

Examples: 2 seed St. James played Medelia on Wednesday and won by 60. They played again last night and St. James won by 60 again.

In 1A there were five 2v7 games with average margins o 61, 61, 35, 18, and 55.
In 2A the margins for 2v7 were 28, 34, 38, 63, 53, 57, and 33
In 3A they were 49, 17, 51, 30, 63, and 43
4A had one game and it was a 57 point spread

There were two 1v8 games in the state and margins were 37 and 36.

Add in travel and a school night and this is brutal. 44 point average margin with all 3+ score games.

 

[MaxyJR1]

I was happy to see them lose after that stunt. I would want a coach to teach the players to face all obstacles, not look for an advantage in this way. Every team was facing the same schedule. I have heard through the grapevine that many players and parents were not happy.

I saw St. Thomas Academy and Chaska do this a few years back. The seeding was set and they were in different sections. They sat players and played the bench in the second half. It's really no different than the NFL. It's the way the system is set up. I don't necessarily like it at the High School level, but those bench players now know what it takes to compete next year. There are +'s and -'s either way.

 

[Some guy]

Examples: 2 seed St. James played Medelia on Wednesday and won by 60. They played again last night and St. James won by 60 again.

In 1A there were five 2v7 games with average margins o 61, 61, 35, 18, and 55.
In 2A the margins for 2v7 were 28, 34, 38, 63, 53, 57, and 33
In 3A they were 49, 17, 51, 30, 63, and 43
4A had one game and it was a 57 point spread

Add in travel and a school night and this is brutal. 44 point average margin with all 3+ score games.

Just a waste of everyone’s time
There is a rare occasion when 4 studs gets busted at the same party, it’s their second violation so they get half the season. And the team finishes 2-6 because they were 0-4 those 4 weeks

That is the 7 seed who has a chance.
We don’t need to play that game for that rare occurrence

The losers of those games should’ve played each other on Friday

 

[mcrow47]

Just a waste of everyone’s time
There is a rare occasion when 4 studs gets busted at the same party, it’s their second violation so they get half the season. And the team finishes 2-6 because they were 0-4 those 4 weeks

That is the 7 seed who has a chance.
We don’t need to play that game for that rare occurrence

The losers of those games should’ve played each other on Friday

Yeah, I think letting the two bottom seeds play an extra game vs each other is probably better for both programs. The higher seed and those bottom seeds aren't getting a lot out of those blowout games. Yeah, maybe the higher seed gets to play backups and back of roster kids but the lower seed team isn't likely getting anything out of the game. Another competitive game at the end of the season would likely benefit the low seeds the most.

My daughter's soccer team had this a couple of times. There were 9 teams in the section so there was a play in game between the 8-9 seeds. So each team got at least one more competitive game. With fewer teams in sections I'm not sure how it would work in football but maybe just an extra regular season at the end is the way to do it.

 

[Some guy]

Yeah, I think letting the two bottom seeds play an extra game vs each other is probably better for both programs. The higher seed and those bottom seeds aren't getting a lot out of those blowout games. Yeah, maybe the higher seed gets to play backups and back of roster kids but the lower seed team isn't likely getting anything out of the game. Another competitive game at the end of the season would likely benefit the low seeds the most.

My daughter's soccer team had this a couple of times. There were 9 teams in the section so there was a play in game between the 8-9 seeds. So each team got at least one more competitive game. With fewer teams in sections I'm not sure how it would work in football but maybe just an extra regular season at the end is the way to do it.

8 is the low end for number of regular season games compared to other states

Many have 9 or 10
None have 7
The reason MN has 8 is because everyone gets 9 since everyone makes the playoff

Playing a paired 9th game by level for those bottom teams or going to actual 9 regular season games would be an improvement, to me.

 

[USAF]

Given that Week 8 means nothing and the prospect of a Wed-Tue-Sat schedule, honestly I can not fault the JM Coaches for load management.

Also may help non-seniors for 2026.

Owatonna beat Roch Century 33-19 in the other Quarter Final.

Sets up:

New Prague @ #1 Mayo
Owatonna @ #2 Northfield

Signs of the apocalypse: use of "load management" when discussing high-school sports.

 

[mcrow47]

8 is the low end for number of regular season games compared to other states

Many have 9 or 10
None have 7
The reason MN has 8 is because everyone gets 9 since everyone makes the playoff

Playing a paired 9th game by level for those bottom teams or going to actual 9 regular season games would be an improvement, to me.

I guess the counter argument is a lot of playoff games involving higher seed teams aren't competitive either. Like Triton beating JWP by 59, Chatfield beating DE by like 40, Upsala beating Benson by 43, BBE over BEV by 54....ect

 

[Some guy]

I guess the counter argument is a lot of playoff games involving higher seed teams aren't competitive either. Like Triton beating JWP by 59, Chatfield beating DE by like 40, Upsala beating Benson by 43, BBE over BEV by 54....ect

True. I think switching to 32 team playoffs per class would help make the competitiveness issue better but not fix it completely

It would also solve the Friday-Wed-Tues-Sat-Friday scheduling issue

 

[MNVCGUY]

Yeah, I think letting the two bottom seeds play an extra game vs each other is probably better for both programs. The higher seed and those bottom seeds aren't getting a lot out of those blowout games. Yeah, maybe the higher seed gets to play backups and back of roster kids but the lower seed team isn't likely getting anything out of the game. Another competitive game at the end of the season would likely benefit the low seeds the most.

My daughter's soccer team had this a couple of times. There were 9 teams in the section so there was a play in game between the 8-9 seeds. So each team got at least one more competitive game. With fewer teams in sections I'm not sure how it would work in football but maybe just an extra regular season at the end is the way to do it.

I know I can't wait for Rosemount's Friday matchup with Park a team that went 1-7 with lone win over Eastview. Tough balancing act though as I bet if you left it up to the players on the bad teams they would still want a shot at the upset as opposed to a meaningless game against another bad team.

 

[mcrow47]

I know I can't wait for Rosemount's Friday matchup with Park a team that went 1-7 with lone win over Eastview. Tough balancing act though as I bet if you left it up to the players on the bad teams they would still want a shot at the upset as opposed to a meaningless game against another bad team.

I know when I played that's how I would have wanted it but also if I'm the coach I might rather have a game the younger kids would gain something from for next year. But I'm sure the seniors would want a chance to go after the higher seed and try to get one more game. The old go out in a blaze of glory thing.

 

[Some guy]

I know I can't wait for Rosemount's Friday matchup with Park a team that went 1-7 with lone win over Eastview. Tough balancing act though as I bet if you left it up to the players on the bad teams they would still want a shot at the upset as opposed to a meaningless game against another bad team.

I do not think that’s necessarily true.
That’s probably true for a couple of the bad teams that lost a lot of close games.
Wayzata, lakeville north probably want to be in the playoffs. None of those maroon division teams do

 

[MNVCGUY]

I do not think that’s necessarily true.
That’s probably true for a couple of the bad teams that lost a lot of close games.
Wayzata, lakeville north probably want to be in the playoffs. None of those maroon division teams do

Can definitely see a case both ways. 32 teams, no bye games is cleanest for the division but it leads to the 1 seeds for sure and most of the 2 seeds having a de facto bye week against a team that really can't match-up with them at all.

 

[Random Guy 12]

I guess the counter argument is a lot of playoff games involving higher seed teams aren't competitive either. Like Triton beating JWP by 59, Chatfield beating DE by like 40, Upsala beating Benson by 43, BBE over BEV by 54....ect

I get your point and for the most part agree with it. But the Triton and Chatfield examples you mentioned were actually 1 seed vs 4 seed games last season. But it does also enforce the point of the difference between the top and bottom of most sections. The best policy for now (how it's currently done) is to let each individual section decide.

 

[Polski]

These 1v8 and 2v7 blowouts aren't great for anyone. It's past time to get rid of these type of games.

I follow my nephew who plays some pretty high level HS football in Ohio.

In Ohio:

-They have 7 classes for HS football
-They play a 10 game regular season schedule
-Teams are divided into Regions of about 25-30 teams apiece. The 12 top teams in each Region make the playoffs.
-They use a computerized system for playoff positioning (guessing the formula is similar to a QRF).

Here's what it looks like:

Ohio HS Football Scores and Rankings by Joe Eitel

Ohio high school football scores and playoff computer rankings

www.joeeitel.com

 

[mcrow47]

I get your point and for the most part agree with it. But the Triton and Chatfield examples you mentioned were actually 1 seed vs 4 seed games last season. But it does also enforce the point of the difference between the top and bottom of most sections. The best policy for now (how it's currently done) is to let each individual section decide.

Yeah, but if your 4th seed isn't competitive vs the 1, in most sections the 3rd isn't going to be either. So now you're down to maybe the 2nd, might be competitive in some sections. The point is that usually there might be 1-2 competitive games in a lot of sections.

Not saying the idea of is bad just being the Devil's Advocate.

 

[GophersInIowa]

In 9-man and 1A, there were a total of five "upsets" in the first round. Four of five were a #5 over a #4 seed. In 9-man there was one #6 over a #3.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Can definitely see a case both ways. 32 teams, no bye games is cleanest for the division but it leads to the 1 seeds for sure and most of the 2 seeds having a de facto bye week against a team that really can't match-up with them at all.

There are currently only 20 total 2v7 (18) and 1v8 (2) games in the state. going to 32 would be four sections of 8 would be ideal. Combine sections 1&4, 2&3, 5&8, 6&7. Have a north/south split for state. Schedule in cross over fashion like 6A does. S1(1)vS4(4); S1(2)vS4(3); S4(1)vS1(4); S4(2)vS1(3). Same for other 3 quads. First round, Second round, State Q, State Semi, Prep Bowl. This gets you 4 north teams and 4 south teams into state. Not every section is guaranteed state, but North/South would be represented.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Adding a 9th game would be ideal to the regular season and having section play during regular season.

Start the season with 2 games before school. Earliest start would be August 22nd and latest start would be August 28th in a given year. Practice would start August 4th at earliest.

 

[Some guy]

Adding a 9th game would be ideal to the regular season and having section play during regular season.

Start the season with 2 games before school. Earliest start would be August 22nd and latest start would be August 28th in a given year. Practice would start August 4th at earliest.

This could be done by moving nothing except canceling Saturday scrimmage and playing a game the night before instead

Nobody plays their guys in that anyways

Then you go to a 32 team bracket without touching anything

 

[Ranger692]

Adding a 9th game would be ideal to the regular season and having section play during regular season.

Start the season with 2 games before school. Earliest start would be August 22nd and latest start would be August 28th in a given year. Practice would start August 4th at earliest.

I like this idea Maxy. I had brought up an earlier game and that got shot down becasue of the State Fair of all reasons.

 

[Ranger692]

This could be done by moving nothing except canceling Saturday scrimmage and playing a game the night before instead

Nobody plays their guys in that anyways

Then you go to a 32 team bracket without touching anything

Not sure if the big Schools dont play guys in the scrimages but in smaller schools that the best way to see if the tweener guys can play. A lot of questions get answered about if you can actually handle so physicality becasue in practice we arent going hard like you are against a different team

 

[Some guy]

Not sure if the big Schools dont play guys in the scrimages but in smaller schools that the best way to see if the tweener guys can play. A lot of questions get answered about if you can actually handle so physicality becasue in practice we arent going hard like you are against a different team

Not all 32 6a teams even participated in a scrimmage

One of the years the state title game was at HBS nobody in the entire state did a scrimmage and it turned out fine.
2020 nobody did a scrimmage and it turned out fine
So 2 of the last 13 seasons nobody in the state had a scrimmage

 

[MaxyJR1]

I like this idea Maxy. I had brought up an earlier game and that got shot down becasue of the State Fair of all reasons.

It's truly a dumb factor in 2025. It's like telling Hockey they can't have tryouts for youth during the football season. Teams of all fall sports are already into full practice and season well before the state fair starts.

Summer tourism and resorts is more of a MN factor but not to the extent some think.

 

[State of Football]

8 is the low end for number of regular season games compared to other states

Many have 9 or 10
None have 7
The reason MN has 8 is because everyone gets 9 since everyone makes the playoff

Playing a paired 9th game by level for those bottom teams or going to actual 9 regular season games would be an improvement, to me.

Agreed and the sections could already decide to do so. I’m surprised they don’t

 

[Some guy]

Agreed and the sections could already decide to do so. I’m surprised they don’t

Really hard to do on your own politically even though it’s best for kids