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.
Eli McLaughlin
Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Quinlan McMenomy
Benilde-St. Margaret’s
For the past two years, the Benilde-St. Margaret’s football team has struggled during the regular season but players and coaches believe this year will be a turnaround for the program. Starting off 1-0 in a blowout win against Columbia Heights, the Red Knights lost two close games back-to-back against Byron and Rocori. These two losses have not deterred the Red Knights as they look for a crucial win against a top ranked Totino-Grace to prove that this is the year they have been hoping for.
The Red Knights are led by their outstanding defense, which held Byron’s ferocious rushing attack and Rocori’s great offense to season-low points. Led by captains Slater Crandall, Eddie Wolfe, and Andrew Walters, the defense is also loaded with talent such as Chase Brixius and Carson Ray. It is all around one of the most complete defenses in 4A. Having said that, the defense will have their work cut out for them against this heavy Totino-Grace rushing attack.
Going to the opposite side of the ball, the Red Knights offense is stacked at the wide receiver core. Junior Luke Guggenberger had a breakout season last year and is one of quarterback Nirvaan Yogarajah's go-to targets. One of the top wideouts in the class of 2026, Jabari Strader is looking to continue an amazing season after great performances in the first three games. Though only a sophomore, the future is looking bright for Jabari. To top it all off, Khalif Brown, who is the 5th overall football player in the class of 2025 (Prep Redzone), has 3 touchdowns so far and is looking to make life hard for the Totino-Grace secondary.
The game against Totino-Grace will not only be the first conference matchup for the Red Knights, but possibly a renewal of an old rivalry between the two teams who will play for the first time since 2011. Heading into this game, the Red Knights are determined to prove to themselves and to the rest of the state that this is the turnaround year for the Benilde-St. Margaret’s football team.
Each week, we ask students to publish stories about their high school's football game on social media using the tag #studentsonthesidelines.
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.
