Exciting Start to Minnesota High School Football Season in Maple Grove
The city of Maple Grove is buzzing as high school football kicks off with plenty of excitement. With a fresh coaching staff headed by Adam Spurrell, the Maple Grove Crimson are in a fantastic position, loaded with talent both on the field and in the coaching business. Rated as the preseason No. 1 team in the state, the Crimson are looking to dominate this season.
Leading the charge for Maple Grove is Charles Langama, a running back who is back from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined at a critical time last season. He’s joined by Kaden Harney, the quarterback, and Dylan Vokal, a versatile wide receiver and defensive back. The strength and skill set of these players make Maple Grove a team to watch this year.
In second place, we have Edina, who were the 2023 Class 6A runner-ups. Edina began the last season with a rough 1-3 streak but found their rhythm and won eight games in a row before a narrow defeat in the championship game. With a powerful quarterback in Mason West, who stands at 6-6 and has significant college potential, and RB John Warpinski (now graduated), the Hornets are ready to show their strength this year.
Lakeville South, ranked third, focuses on the hard-to-stop Power-T running game, with Connor Cade expected to light up Friday nights with his speed. Following closely behind, Eden Prairie stands at fourth, led by senior running back Elijah Rumph who excels both in speed and power. The team’s depth may give them the edge as the season progresses.
The rankings continue with Lakeville North and Stillwater in fifth and sixth, both featuring impressive quarterbacks who can turn the tide of games. In Class 5A, defending champion Elk River aims to retain their title with a dynamic duo in the backfield, while Chanhassen targets a comeback this season.
With teams like Alexandria featuring talented players like Chase Thompson and Sauk Rapids-Rice showcasing QB Spencer Ackerman, this year’s competition is expected to be fierce. The excitement in Maple Grove and across Minnesota is palpable, and fans are eager to see how the players and coaches rise to the challenge.
For the complete rankings: 1. Maple Grove, 2. Edina, 3. Lakeville South, 4. Eden Prairie, 5. Lakeville North, 6. Stillwater, 7. Centennial, 8. Anoka, 9. Shakopee, 10. Elk River (5A), 11. Minnetonka, 12. Chanhassen (5A), 13. Alexandria (5A), 14. Mankato West (5A), 15. Forest Lake, 16. Rogers, 17. Andover (5A), 18. Sauk Rapids-Rice (5A), 19. St. Thomas Academy (5A), 20. Stewartville (4A).
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on these teams as they compete for the title and showcase their talents throughout Minnesota.
