The 60 football players to know entering the 2024 season in central Minnesota

SAINT CLOUD – Thursday is gameday. It will be the football opener for all but one of the St. Cloud area’s high school varsity squads.

With St. Cloud Cathedral playing Friday, the Crusaders and other local teams have just a few days to gear up for an exciting 2024 Minnesota high school football season. Dozens of athletes have spent long hours in the weight room during the winter and on the turf during the summer to prepare for this year’s slate of games. Now is the time for fans to familiarize themselves with their roster as well as the names of their rivals.

Many returners will be recognizable, but assuredly some newcomers will make their names known competing for Albany, Becker, Foley, Holdingford, Kimball, ROCORI, Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids-Rice, St. Cloud Apollo, Cathedral and St. Cloud Tech. Below, you’ll find the 2024 players to watch in the area.

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Sauk Rapids junior QB Spencer Ackerman

Sauk Rapids QB Spencer Ackerman is an easy early candidate for potential player of the year – he and Storm wide receiver Hudson Omoke both are. They’ll connect for plenty of touchdowns this season as Sauk Rapids is looking for its first trip back to state since 2010. The Storm have never made a final. Last year Ackerman was just 66 yards from throwing over 2,000 and he found receivers for 15 touchdowns. He was 124-202, throwing just four interceptions. Ackerman did have a fumble, but he also rushed for a touchdown.

ROCORI senior LB Aaron Baisley

The ROCORI Spartans are returning much of the top talent from the team that finished runner-up in Class 4A last year. Aaron Baisley led the 2023 defense in total tackles with 141, though his solo count of 25 was third. He had nine tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 13 games. Baisley was also used in spots out of ROCORI’s offensive backfield.

Holdingford junior QB/DE Jaxon Bartkowicz

Jaxon Bartkowicz has big shoes to fill now that Holdingford quarterback Drew Lange has graduated and is wrestling for St. John’s. Lange led the team in rushing touchdowns and he threw 1,341 yards on 90 completions. He connected with receivers on 90-145 passes and got 9.3 yards per attempt. Luckily, at six-foot-four, 210 pounds, Barkowicz is big himself. He caught one of Lange’s passes, going 25 yards for a touchdown. In backup QB reps, Bartkowicz connected on half of his 12 passing attempts, throwing for 201 yards and two touchdowns. He also scrambled for 20 yards.

Holdingford senior RB/DB Luke Bieniek

Luke Bieniek led the Huskers in several offensive statistical categories last year, including carries (129), rushing yards (879) and receptions (31). Lange had one more rushing touchdown than Bieniek’s 11 he was also second in receiving TDs (5) and receiving yards (405).

Albany senior LB/FB Zach Birr

Albany has 14 seniors returning from a team that lost in the first round of the state tournament last year, including a few three-year starters. The Huskies are replacing the same number of graduated seniors, many of whom played a big part in Albany’s season and come back in the Section 6-3A title game versus New London-Spicer.

One of the returning starters is Zach Birr, who had 31 total tackles last season. Birr will also be getting reps at fullback for the Huskies, rushing six times for 20 yards and a touchdown last season.

Sauk Rapids senior OL/DL Hayden Brown

Sauk Rapids is returning four senior offensive linemen, who will aid in their punishing air attack. Brown will start at left guard having put on over 20 pounds since last season.

Becker senior DB/ATH Isaac Daluge

Isaac Daluge is one of Becker’s 25 returning seniors and will be playing a majority of his snaps at defensive back, as coach Dwight Lundeen is hoping to play 22 starters. Last year Daluge had two interceptions and a fumble recovery to go along with 33 total tackles. As a junior Daluge also caught 21 passes for 242 yards on offense. He rushed for 136 yards on 11 carries and also shared put return duties, averaging 22.5 yards on six returns. Lundeen expects him to be all-state caliber in 2024.

Tech senior RB/LB Owen DeMars

Owen DeMars is returning after missing last year with a neck injury. He is a captain and one of 23 senior Tigers this fall. DeMars had six total tackles his sophomore season and nine catches for 33 yards.

Becker senior OL/DL Jackson Duncan

Jackson Duncan is another three-year starter for Becker, this year playing offensive tackle. At 6’4”, the senior has Division I aspirations and anchors the Bulldogs’ line. Lundeen looks to him as a leader. Duncan and the rest of the OL will be protecting a new quarterback this year after Vikings all-state QB Zach Bengtson moved on to Bethel.

Albany senior OL/DL Jack Eveslage

Jack Eveslage was named all-district in 2023 and his will be a literal big presence on the line. Eveslage is 6-foot-3, over 250 pounds and has impressive weight room statistics, according to his coach. Like many other Huskies, he also plays on the defense. Eveslage is on the line and last year was sixth on the team with 36 solo tackles. He had 53 total, four for a loss and a fumble recovery.

Cathedral junior OL/DL Owen Fradette

Owen Fradette is returning for a second year lining up for the Crusaders on both offense and defense. He won’t be alone – although the team is returning a majority of its starters from last year, the Crusaders won’t have much depth.

ROCORI junior QB Max Fredin

Max Fredin is replacing graduated all-state senior Will Steil, who tossed for 1,344 yards and eight TDs to go with 1,039 rushing yards and 17 scores. Fredin fits the QB stereotype: he’s 6’3”, 190 pounds and pitched on the Spartan baseball team in the spring. He also has a receiving corps that is returning top target Grant Tylutki as well as other weapons from last year.

Fredin had seven passing attempts in 2023, connecting on five for 34 yards.

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Sartell senior WR/DB Levi Frieler

After a poor start to the season, Sartell became stricken by injuries. The Sabres lost their starting quarterback, several running backs and about half of the defensive starters. But it’s a fresh year and the returning receivers like Levi Frieler have had more time to work with now-starting QB senior Austin Lahr.

Frieler went for 242 yards and a touchdown last season on 24 catches.

Foley junior LB/RB Keagon Frisbie

Keagon Frisbie is one of several Falcons tasked with replacing star running back Derek Dahmen. The all-district selection led the team in carries (154), rushing yards (963) and rushing touchdowns (13) and had over 40 tackles at DB. Frisbie got the rock seven times in 2024, rushing for 87 yards and a TD.

He’s the team’s top returning tackler, finishing third in 2023 with 64.

Holdingford senior WR/DB Brandon Hall

Brandon Hall will be an important piece for the Huskers on both sides of the ball. As a receiver last year, Hall was the third most popular target, catching 14 passes for 257 yards. Hall caught two touchdowns and had an impressive 18.4 yards per catch.

He’ll be joined on the receiving corps by classmates Beau Johnson and Garrett Frink.

Sauk Rapids senior OL/DL Kai Hall

Hall is another one of those returning linemen for the Storm. He’ll play right guard after bulking up to 275 on this year’s roster.

Cathedral junior WR/LB Jack Hamak

Several of Cathedral’s receivers are juniors, including Hamak, Nick Plante and tight end Jack Weihrauch. The team will have to work together to replace big production from graduated running back Cade Simones. Hamak is also a state wrestler.

Holdingford junior RB/LB Kolton Harren

Kolton Harren is returning to positions on offense and defense. At RB last year, the then-sophomore ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

Kimball senior QB/DB Brandon Henkemeyer

Henkemeyer is returning for one more year leading the Cubs and coach Clay Anderson said he’s already made a lot of improvement.

“He’s already shown that he’s far more than a head above where he was last year,” Anderson said.

Foley senior TE/DL Reed Hermanson

Reed Hermanson is a tall senior who will likely have a large impact on both sides of the ball this fall. Hermanson is listed at 6’3” and 200 pounds, 15 more than last year. He has the athleticism to stretch and reach for difficult passes from first-year starting QB sophomore Carson Brenny. Hermanson was on the all-area baseball team in the spring as a first baseman.

Apollo senior LB/OL Anthony Hoagland

Anthony Hoagland is already a vocal leader in his first year on the offensive line. He’ll be a three-year starter as a linebacker on defense, but took reps at tight end on offense last year. He only weighs in at 160, but the 6’3” athlete makes up for his size in “tenacity and effort,” according to coach Michael Beehler. The coach said he is impressed with the progression of the whole OL group.

Tech junior LB/RB Tanner Hugg

Tanner Hugg was important especially on D last year, where he got 18 solo tackles and 38 total. He’s also listed as a running back after BT Teboh and DeMars.

Tech senior DB/WR Max Kiffmeyer

Max Kiffmeyer is Tech’s second-biggest returning tackler from last year. As a junior Kiffmeyer took down 43 opponents, including a sack. He also had a scoop and score against Sartell.

Kiffmeyer will be taking offensive snaps as a slot receiver for the Tigers.

Foley sophomore RB/DB Brody Kipka

Brody Kipka had the most rushing yards last season of any Falcon returner. He had 151 yards on 22 carries.

Kimball senior WR/S Bryant Knaus

Bryant Knaus has got reps since his sophomore season and he’s ready to break out with the rest of his fellow receivers. The 6’4” senior has gained 15 pounds, according to the roster.

Sauk Rapids senior LB/RB Bradyn Kost

Bradyn Kost is Sauk Rapids’ top returning tackler – he led the team in total tackles but was behind Dillon Miller in solos. Kost is hoping to improve on those figures of 34 and 7 from a year ago. He had four tackles for a loss.

Kost is also listed as a running back this season.

Becker senior LB/RB Landen Kujawa

Landen Kujawa by far led Becker in tackles last season, 92 compared to Kaden Nicolas’ 76. It will be his third year at middle linebacker, where last year he had 53 solo tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and both a forced fumble and recovery. Lundeen called him a “defensive quarterback.”

On special teams Kujawa had a punt return for 15 yards and he had three kick returns.

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Cathedral senior TE/DL Timmy Lawal

Timmy Lawal is a 6’1” 210-pound senior who will be a big difference-maker for the Crusaders, especially on defense. He’s a leader from the defensive end position but could platoon inside if needed.

Albany senior RB/LB Drew Lehner

Lehner got most of his 198 yards last season filling in for Dennis in Week 4 against Pierz. In his one start, Lehner gained 6.9 yards per carry for 104 yards. Lehner scored two touchdowns last year and did record a fumble. He caught two passes and made 21 total tackles.

Albany senior LB/FB Haiden Linn

Haiden Linn had 60 tackles last year at inside linebacker, tying with now-alumnus Devon Schaefer for fourth on the team. Linn had 34 tackles by himself and appeared in the backfield for 12 rushing attempts. He had 60 yards.

Albany senior RB/DB/P Ethan Meyer

To replace a pair of reliable senior running backs, Adam Dennis and Joseph Schmitt, the Huskies will be relying on another senior pair: Ethan Meyer and Drew Lehner. Last season Dennis led the team with 917 rushing yards and Schmitt picked up 730. Meyer had 19 touches, scoring twice and picking up 101 yards. He’s put on 10-20 pounds since then and is listed 185. Meyer also had 14 receptions and four touchdowns as a receiver. His 284

To replace a pair of reliable senior running backs, Adam Dennis and Joseph Schmitt, the Huskies will be relying on another senior pair: Ethan Meyer and Drew Lehner. Last season Dennis led the team with 917 rushing yards and Schmitt picked up 730. Meyer had 19 touches, scoring twice and picking up 101 yards. He’s put on 10-20 pounds since then and is listed 185. Meyer also had 14 receptions and four touchdowns as a receiver. His 284 receiving yards were second on the team.

Meyer scored two two-point conversions and played defensive back on defense. He had two interceptions and 30 tackles, 24 solo.

Kimball senior OL/DL Hank Meyer

Kimball’s entire offensive line is returning, and because of the depth of experience, coach Clay Anderson said he would like to rotate as many as eight guys in and out. Extra rest could mean more in the tank late in games for those players like Hank Meyer, who play on both sides of the ball. Meyer is a senior and captain for Kimball.

Kimball senior WR/DB Owen Mortenson

Senior Owen Mortenson will be another receiving threat for the Cubs this season. He also started out wide last year and is returning for a third season of varsity football.

Becker senior DB Kaden Nicolas

Nicolas had most of his snaps as a cornerback last season but is athletic enough to play any of the 22 positions, according to Lundeen.

In addition to his 76 tackles, Nicolas had two forced fumbles and two recoveries. Of his tackles, 45 were solo. He’ll start at strong safety on Thursday.

ROCORI senior WR Matthias Nierenhausen

Matthias Nierenhausen only had six receptions last year, but he made them felt, going for 96 yards and a touchdown. He’ll be a top target in 2024.

Apollo senior WR/DB Obang Ochan

Obang Ochan is a new weapon for senior QB Da’Vion Jackson. The 6’1” senior moved back to St. Cloud and is taking reps out wide on offense and defense. He is one of several Apollo basketball players that are out for the football Eagles, with both coaches hoping the multi-sport competitiveness and teamwork is mutually beneficial.

Foley senior DL/FB Dakota Olson

Dakota Olson won all-district accolades for his performance last year. He made 43 tackles at defensive end and two sacks. At fullback, Olson had 23 carries and rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Sauk Rapids senior WR/DB Hudson Omoke

Omoke was an incredible watch last year, catching nine touchdowns on 969 yards receiving. He caught 60 passes for over 16 yards per reception.

On defense, Omoke had two of the teams four interceptions and he forced a fumble. He was eighth on the team in solo tackles with 21, adding four assists.

Omoke also punted last year.

Holdingford junior RB/DB Masyn Patrick

Masyn Patrick was one of Holdingford’s most dangerous athletes last season, breaking off 454 rushing yards and 454 receiving. The latter stat led the team. Patrick had six touchdowns through the air and one on the ground.

Sauk Rapids senior DB/RB Chris Pepin

Chris Pepin had another one of those Storm interceptions. He’ll be back at DB in 2024, where last year he got 31 total tackles and two four a loss. Pepin is also listed as a running back this season.

Holdingford senior OL/DL William Pilarski

William Pilarski is a leader on both lines for Holdingford and he’s an athlete coach Luke Mitchell thinks could contend for offseason awards.

Foley senior OL/DL Joseph Prom

Joseph Prom is another one of 17 seniors on a Foley roster that lists nearly 80 varsity players. He was all-district honorable mention last year and has used the offseason to slim down from 270 to 235. He also grew an inch to 6’2”, according to the roster.

ROCORI senior RB Anthony Rodriguez

Following Steil, Anthony Rodriguez was ROCORI’s top rusher last season as its main back. He’s gained 10 pounds since last year, when he went for 517 yards and four touchdowns. Bet on Rodriguez to improve on his 57.4 yards per game average.

Albany senior QB Boone Roemeling

A “great leader,” according to coach Mike Ellingson, Roemeling has big shoes to fill after last year’s QB Andrew Olson threw for over 1,100 yards. He was called on right before half against Montevideo after Olson took a shot and delivered several completed passes, getting close enough to score. Roemeling was 4-6 passing in 2023 for 73 yards.

Sauk Rapids senior WR/DB Mason Sabraski

With Omoke likely drawing double teams, Mason Sabraski can make a pretty good living. He was second on the team last year in catches and yards, but had the best yards per catch figure at over 21 yards. He’ll be another deep threat this year.

Sabraski had 13 total tackles last year, eight unassisted.

Cathedral junior QB/DB Henry Schloe

Henry Schloe took over quarterbacking midway through the year last year and didn’t look back. As he came into his own passing, the then-sophomore added more depth to Cathedral’s attack. Schloe stands at 6’1” and weighs 180 pounds.

Tech senior WR/LB Jackson Sheetz

Triple-sport star Jackson Sheetz is back for one more year on the gridiron. Sheetz will be one of Tech’s workhorse receivers, but he also took carries out of the backfield in 2023.

At linebacker, Sheetz had 60 tackles split evenly between solo and assisted.

Becker senior WR/DB Mitchell Soltau

A state track athlete in the spring, Mitchell Soltau was the Bulldogs deep threat in games last season, leading the team in yards and yards per catch. He had 23 receptions for 528 yards and 11 TDs. This season will be Soltau’s third year starting at receiver.

Kimball senior OT/DT Jed Spaulding

Spaulding is one of six senior linemen on Kimball, including Meyer, Zachary Kourima, Sawyer Denny, Jonny Serbus and James Schiefelbein. Nobody is huge, but all are quick. Spaulding has a 4.83 40-yard dash time.

Albany senior OL Zach Stradtmann

Along with Jack Eveslage, Zach Stradtmann was all-district on the offensive line last year and will be back again up front. Ellingson felt like Stradtmann was one of the best linemen on the team last year, saying, “He’s just got a motor on him.” As a junior he had 52 total tackles, 39 solo. Stradtmann also had a fumble recovery.

Sartell senior OL/DL Charlie Sundell

Sartell is returning five senior offensive linemen who mean to control the line of scrimmage. At 6’4”, 310, Charlie Sundell is the biggest of the bunch, but the rest are strong and experienced, too. Sundell is joined by Magnus Sampson (6-3, 239), Julius Morris (5-10, 220), Aidan O’Hara (6-3 188) and Mason Leen (6-0, 181).

Sartell senior RB/LB Andrew Tavale

Andrew Tavale is Sartell’s senior full back in what is expected to be a run-heavy offense this season. He stands 5’11”, weighs 215 pounds and likes to run hard. He had 29 carries for 54 yards and a TD last season and had 10 catches for 69 yards.

Tech senior RB/LB BT Teboh

Like his backfield teammate Sheetz, BT Teboh was a dynamic threat last year, carrying the ball out of the backfield and playing receiver. He’s listed at running back and at 5’11”, 200 pounds, he’ll be hard to tackle.

Last year Teboh was credited with 33 tackles.

Sauk Rapids senior OL/DL Jake Thell

Playing left tackle, Jake Thell is one of the biggest dudes on Sauk Rapids’ line. The Storm senior is 6’6” tall and weighs 285 pounds.

Sauk Rapids senior OL/DL Jonah Thell

Jonah Thell is playing at center in 2024. He isn’t related to Jake Thell, though they’ll be working together like brothers. Jonah Thell had five tackles and a fumble recovery a year ago.

ROCORI senior RB Dylan Thompson

Thompson will likely be the Spartans’ No. 2 option. He ran for over 50 yards per game last year, gaining 305 yards on 85 carries. He also caught three passes for 20 yards.

ROCORI junior OL Andrew Trout

Already committed to Minnesota, Andrew Trout is considered by many to be the best junior in Minnesota. At 6’6”, 295 pounds, Trout will be a big presence on the line as the Spartans work to give time to their new QB.

ROCORI senior WR Grant Tylutki

A dynamic athlete, Grant Tylutki will likely be hard to stop in his senior season. Last year he had 47 receptions for 678 yards, leading the team. Tylutki had four touchdowns, a two-point conversion and he had most of ROCORI’s kick and punt returns. Tylutki even threw for a 61-yard touchdown against Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

As a defensive back, Tylutki had an interception and the second-most tackles on the team, 133. Forty of the tackles were by himself and he was also credited with a half a sack and a fumble recovery.

Apollo senior WR/DB Azayah Washington

Star basketball player Azayah Washington is back on the gridiron for another year at wide out and cornerback. He has the most returning revieving yards on the Eagles behind the graduated Maurice Brown. Washington caught 26 passes for 328 yards last year and three TDs. He also had the team’s longest catch and run at 82 yards.

ROCORI senior LB Luke Zimmer

Luke Zimmer and Kyle Honer join Baisley as linebackers for ROCORI. Zimmer was fourth on the 2023 team in total tackles, behind Bailey, Tylutki and Grady Minnerath, who is suiting up for SJU this fall. Zimmer had 78 tackles and a fumble recovery last season.

Contact reporter Reid Glenn at rglenn@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Football players to know from st. cloud-area high school rosters