As we prepare for another exciting Friday under the lights, we have asked Minnesota high school students to share a game preview or season recap on their football team. Find those stories - and stories from prior weeks - below.
The Crimson are fighting for first in the state title as Maple Grove prepares to return to the U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 2 against Rosemount in the 6A state championship game. With both teams entering the prep bowl undefeated (12-0), the match is guaranteed to provide intense camaraderie.
This game will test the theory that defense wins championships. Rosemount has one of the best defenses in the state, only allowing 10 points or fewer in 10 of 12 games against arguably the toughest schedule in the state. Rosemount had to face Lakeville South, Prior lake, Centennial, Wayzata and Eden Prairie.
The Maple Grove Crimson have made it to the semifinals after playing an incredible undefeated season. This year’s team has achieved unmatched success with star performances that have made them one of the top teams in the state.
Through their eleven games, the Rosemount Irish have dominated the competition winning all of their matchups. The run game has been particularly overpowering as Irish have averaged 259.9 rushing yards throughout ten of their eleven games.
The Prior Lake Lakers saw their 2022 campaign come to a heartbreaking end on Friday, November 4th. For the second straight year, the Lakers were taken out of the playoffs at the hands of East Ridge High School. This year it was even more gut-wrenching, as the Lakers lost on their own turf by a score of 28-27.
The exciting Friday Night Lights football games are winding down for some teams, but the Lakeville South football team is on a roll. With their shutout win with a score of 30-0 against White Bear Lake last Friday, they received the title of Section Champions and are advancing to the state quarterfinals.
“The bond created with your teammates is something special,” said Andrew Westermeyer, team captain. “Not necessarily [playing] for yourself, but doing it for the people standing to the left and right of you.” Although the Trojan’s season came to an end this past Friday, with an unfortunate 42-14 loss against Rosemount, the team’s appreciation for each other and the sport seems everlasting.
In 2021, The Stillwater Ponies had an impressive regular season with a record of 7-1. Walking into playoffs, players expected them to breeze through these first couple of games as the team was ranked as the number one seed. Captain Charles Gleason said they viewed themselves as above everyone else.
“High school football is a lot like life. Most of the time, you don’t get a second chance”. Unfortunately, that’s the story that Minnetonka Varsity Football Coach Mark Esch had to tell after his Skippers bowed out early in the Minnesota High School State Football Tournament.
As the Edina High School varsity football team walked onto the Rosemount field with heavy hearts and minds, a sticker of the number 8 in blue and white was proudly displayed on the backs of their helmets.
Eden Prairie’s football team will face Edina at the Eagles’ home turf, Aerie Stadium, at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 14th. The Hornets are coming into Friday’s game riding the high of their two-game win streak after losing their first four games of the season.
The season started out rough and—with Johnson losing both their first three games of the season along with little school spirit proceeding their homecoming game—the rest of the season seemed bleak. Despite this, the team pulled through and won their homecoming game.
The Fridley High School Tigers come into the matchup with St. Paul Johnson looking to secure another statement win. The Fridley Football Team has faced adversity every season and this one is no different. An early season loss served as a reminder of the adversity this team will face going forward.
At North High School in North St. Paul, students and staff are gearing up for another exciting homecoming week. Here’s how the football team is preparing for the big game.
Graham Freeman, 16, is one of four football captains of the North St. Paul High Polars. He plays tight end and defensive end for the Polars.
The SMB Wolfpack versus Minneapolis North game is approaching, and there are many thrilling player dynamics to look out for. While this matchup appears as just a regular game on the schedule, it holds significantly more value to the players on both rosters who have relationships with one another that go back to elementary school and youth sports.
The North High Polars football team have their eyes on winning a state championship not just for the status or media, but for someone who can’t.
On September 15th, second year Head Coach Trevor Tolly will lead the Hopkins Royals onto one of the biggest stages in Minnesota as they take on the East Ridge Raptors at the TCO Performance Center, the practice facility of the Minnesota Vikings. East Ridge running back Jaelen Harper headlined the previous matchup between the two teams with three rushing touchdowns en route to a 34-0 victory.
Students on the Sidelines is back for 2023 and accepting nominations and applications.
If you are a student journalist, get off the sidelines and share stories about your school’s high school football game. Just post your story on TikTok and tag us #studentsonthesidelines.
Students, tell your best story. We asked Star Tribune's Vikings Beat reporter, Ben Goessling, and Vikings Entertainment Network's on-air talent, Tatum Everett, and writer and editor, Lindsey Young, to share their approach to Sports journalism.
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