1,600 rushing yards define a dominant regular season finale in Minnesota 6A football
A mix of dramatic upsets and standout individual performances capped the regular season, with one running back finishing the year with a remarkable 1,600 yards on the ground.
By Andrew Fletcher ·
The regular season for Class 6A high school football in Minnesota concluded on Friday night, leaving a trail of memorable finishes across the state.
Roseville emerged as the clear headline story of the evening. The Raiders defeated Coon Rapids 24 to 14 to secure the Metro Maroon subdistrict title. This victory brought their final regular season record to 4 and 4, which marks their best mark since 2017. Senior quarterback Chase Browning led the offense with 162 passing yards and three touchdowns. He described the moment as an amazing feeling, noting that the team had worked incredibly hard for the payoff.
Elsewhere in the league, Centennial delivered a decisive 38 to 6 victory over Anoka. This win likely locks in a number 3 seed for the Cougars in the upcoming playoffs. It also positions them as serious contenders for a deep run into November. Notably, Anoka managed only six points, which was the first time all season they had been held to single digits.
Mounds View claimed the Metro East subdistrict title with a close 22 to 16 win against White Bear Lake. The game was tense until the final minute. With the team trailing by two points, quarterback Tanner Jude scored on a one yard run with 65 seconds remaining. He then succeeded on a two point conversion to extend the lead to six points. The defense sealed the deal when Preston Johnson intercepted a pass on the Bears next possession. Mounds View held White Bear Lake quarterback Wyatt Stachowiak to just six completions on 24 attempts.
Other teams used the final games to solidify their playoff standings. East Ridge beat rival Woodbury 42 to 31, ending a season that likely fell short of expectations. Logan Tretter rushed for two touchdowns, and Elias Mather added a late score on an interception return. Forest Lake running back Mack Jurkovich was the night top individual performer. He rushed for 245 yards and two touchdowns in a 31 to 13 win over Stillwater. This result guarantees the Rangers a number 2 seed. Jurkovich, who has committed to St. Thomas, finished the regular season with 1,600 rushing yards.
Park junior receiver Manny Vargas also made his presence felt. He scored twice in an 18 to 10 win over Eastview. He caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt 75 yards for another score. The most dramatic finish of the night came in the south metro. Lakeville South sophomore kicker Dylan Nelson kicked a 36 yard field goal with one second left. The score gave the Cougars a 17 to 14 upset of Rosemount, a result that complicates the seeding picture for the playoffs.
These results set the stage for the postseason. Teams across the East Metro now look to carry their momentum into the next round. The performances from both quarterbacks and running backs highlight the depth of talent in the state. The upcoming weeks will test whether these regular season standouts can maintain their level under the pressure of single elimination games.
