By [Jim Paulsen](https://startribune.com/jim-paulsen/6370600)
The Minnesota Star Tribune
August 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM
We’re bearing down on Day 1 of Week 1 of the 2025 high school football season — the season busts out Thursday. Here’s Jim Paulsen’s preseason Minnesota Top 25, his ranking of the best teams in the state regardless of class.
The Minnesota Top 25
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1\. Maple Grove: Kaden Harney deserves to be included in any discussion of the top QBs in the state.
2\. Minnetonka: Moving Caleb Francois to RB and installing Caden Gutzmer at QB should make the offense more diverse.
3\. Shakopee: The Sabers defense is deep and talented.
4\. Edina: Don’t miss out on a chance to see rough-and-rugged DL Sawyer Jezierski, who’s committed to Iowa.
5\. Forest Lake: RB Mack Jurkovich is a force ready to break out.
6\. Moorhead: Talent at the skill positions (QB Jett Feeney, WR David Mack, RB Taye Reich) will help the transition to Class 6A.
7\. Elk River (5A): The Elks have won three state titles in nine years. No team is linked more tightly to its offensive approach — the Power T — than Elk River.