As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Minnesota for the 2009 season.
{VIDEO_3199e37d-e6ec-4edb-9c79-6fa8de08635a,floatRightWithBar}1. Wayzata
The defending big school state champions will be going for their third state title since 2005 and are led by the best linebacking duo in the state with 6-foot-1, 215-pound A.J. Tarpley (who has verbally committed to Stanford) and 6-2, 220-pound Grant Olson, both key players on last year’s defense that gave up only 8.5 points per game. Throw in one of the state’s top defensive ends in Toby Okuyemi (6-3, 235 pounds) and the Trojan defense is ready to dominate again. As for the offense that averaged 41.6 points per game (best in the 70-year history of the program) last year? The Trojans must replace quarterback John Ries and running back Garrett Englehardt, among others, but a strong crew of replacements led by signal caller Dan Wexler, running back Chris Kroeten and wide receiver A.J. Troup appear to be ready to step in and continue the tradition of success at Wayzata.
{VIDEO_c1c97199-20b5-494b-8cb1-c0a8b1e6633c,floatLeftWithBar} 2. Cretin-Derham Hall
Everyone knows the Raiders have the top player in the nation leading their offensive line. But the 6-8, 300-pound Seantrel Henderson would be the first to say Cretin is much more than a mammoth lineman that is on every college's wish list. Also back is quarterback Mark Alt, a 6-4, 185-pounder who completed 66.9 percent of his passes (97-for-145) for 1,313 yards, 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions for a team that went 12-1 (losing in the state semifinals to Blaine) and averaged 38.8 points per game. Alt, whose father John was an offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, has signed to play hockey at the University of Minnesota.
{VIDEO_cee3916e-7af4-435d-83e3-0efa34a6e0d4,floatRightWithBar}3. Eden Prairie
The Eagles are coming off another banner season which included another Lake Conference title and an 11-1 season that was ended by Blaine in the AAAAA state quarterfinals. The Eagles are led by running back Greg Shaeffer (783 yards, 7 touchdowns while playing no more than three quarters per game most of the season) and the versatile Taylor Grant, son of head coach Mike Grant and grandson of Minnesota Vikings coaching legend Bud Grant. The younger Grant is 6-4, 230 pounds and can play quarterback, tight end, linebacker – and just about anywhere needed on the field. As it is every year, expect a number of seniors and newcomers to emerge this fall for the Eagles.
4. Blaine
Head coach Shannon Gerretty got the Bengals back to the Prep Bowl last season, and despite a disappointing 27-7 loss to Wayzata, Blaine proved it is back among the state’s elite. Finding a replacement for all-state quarterback James Peterson (2,622 yards passing, 949 yards rushing) could prove be the biggest challenge for Gerretty. This year’s team is lead by captains Di-Jon Starr, a 6-2, 250-pound terror at defensive end, and Max Chapman, a 6-1, 300-pound center who will anchor the offensive line and provide plenty of protection for Peterson’s replacement.
5. Woodbury
Can the Royals give Cretin a run in the Suburban East Conference? Head coach Beau LaBore sure hopes so and with the electrifying Lamonte Edwards back – a dual-threat at running back and linebacker - the Royals will give it their best shot.
