Eden Prairie is our top team for this season. But look out for Wayzata, Minnetonka, Lakeville North and Anoka.
The 2012 version (different than the 2010 team shown here) of Eden Prairie is our pick for the top team in Minnesota.
Photo by Greg Smith
2011 finish: 12-1
Head coach: Mike Grant
Team Preview
Coach Mike Grant saw his team finish in second place in the league standings
last year, but the Eagles avenged that lone loss with a 13-3 victory over
Wayzata (Plymouth) to secure the school's third state title in the past six
years. Eden Prairie figures to challenge Wayzata for Class 6A supremacy again
this year and the teams will meet in the last game of the regular season.
Grant has a pair of Division 1 prospects returning this year, including
linebacker
Jack Cottrell (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and defensive tackle
Tyson Reinke (6-3,
260). Eden Prairie will need to replace a player found on the list of
Minnesota Class of 2012 Division 1 football signees.
2. Wayzata (Plymouth)
2011 finish: 12-1
Head coach: Brad Anderson
Team Preview
The Trojans came within 10 points of winning back-to-back Class 6A state
titles, but they fell to Eden Prairie 13-3 in the championship game. Wayzata is
an easy choice to battle Eden Prairie for the top spot in the state again as it
has won four straight league titles and seven in the past eight years. The
Trojans have also won three state titles since 2005. Coach Brad Anderson has
one of the state's best linebackers at his disposal in Minnesota-bound
Chris Wipson (6-1, 210).
Chandler Wright leads the offense from his spot on the
offensive line. Wayzata ranks No. 2 on our June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 Minnesota football dynasties.
3. Minnetonka
2011 finish: 8-3
Head coach: Dave Nelson
Team Preview
All three losses for the Skippers came against Eden Prairie and Wayzata.
Minnetonka lost a pair of close games with the Eagles (6-3 and 16-0), then were
blown out by the Trojans (35-7). Still, coach Dave Nelson returns a lot of
talent, including Division 1 prospect
Mike Redmond (6-4, 220) at linebacker,
Malcolm Moore at receiver and
DeAndre Singleton and
KeAndre Singleton in the defensive
backfield. Minnetonka ranks No. 6 on our list of
Minnesota's most consistent football programs.
4. Lakeville North
2011 finish: 10-1
Head coach: Brian Vossen
Team Preview
The Panthers won 10 straight to start the 2011 season before falling to
Cretin-Derham Hall in the Class 6A playoffs. With 12 starters back and an
undefeated JV team moving up, Lakeville North looks ready to challenge for 6A
supremacy. Coach Brian Vossen has eight starters back on defense, including
defensive end
Karl Finkel (6-0, 200) and outside linebacker
Mitch Johnson (5-11,
190). The team's top offensive lineman,
Zach Ziemer (6-5, 280), also returns
along with leading rusher
Brandon Morgan (523 yards). Once we update it after the season, Lakeville North could make it onto our list of
Minnesota state football champions over the past 10 years.
5. Anoka
2011 finish: 9-2
Head coach: Jeff Buerkle
Team Preview
The Northwest Suburban champion with a 7-0 record, Anoka lost to Eden Prairie
and Wayzata to finish 9-2 overall. Coach Jeff Buerkle started 21 seniors last
season and he will have to replace all of his top playmakers, including
1,300-yard rusher Josh Werness. Search for Anoka players on our list of
2011 Minnesota All-League football teams.
