Roseville Secures Subdistrict Crown With Final Friday Victory

The high school football regular season in Minnesota’s Class 6A concluded Friday night with a mix of dominant performances and dramatic finishes. The primary tension centered on Roseville, which needed a win to claim a subdistrict title, and Lakeville South, which required a miracle to overturn a deficit against Rosemount. The results set the stage for the upcoming playoff seeding process across the state.

Roseville emerged as the night’s standout team, defeating Coon Rapids 24-14 to capture the Metro Maroon subdistrict championship. The Raiders finished the regular season with a 4-4 record, marking their best performance since 2017. Senior quarterback Chase Browning was instrumental in the victory, throwing for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Browning expressed the team’s relief and joy, stating, “It’s an amazing feeling,” and noting that the group had worked hard for the payoff to finally arrive.

In the north metro, Centennial demonstrated its strength by rolling past Anoka 38-6. The result likely secures the Cougars a No. 3 seed in the Class 6A playoffs, positioning them as a serious contender for a deep run in November. The defensive performance was particularly notable, as Anoka’s six points represent the first time the team has been held to single digits this season.

Mounds View secured sole possession of the Metro East subdistrict title with a 22-16 victory over White Bear Lake. The game remained close until the final minute, with the Mustangs trailing by two points. Quarterback Tanner Jude scored on a one-yard run with 65 seconds remaining, and a successful two-point conversion extended the lead to six. Preston Johnson sealed the win by intercepting a pass on White Bear Lake’s next possession. The Mounds View defense limited White Bear Lake quarterback Wyatt Stachowiak to just six completions on 24 attempts.

East Ridge finished a season that likely did not meet expectations with a 42-31 win over rival Woodbury. Logan Tretter ran for two touchdowns, while Elias Mather returned an interception for a late score to put the game out of reach. The victory provides a positive note before the postseason begins.

Forest Lake running back Mack Jurkovich delivered the night’s top individual performance, rushing for 245 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-13 win over Stillwater. The result locks up a No. 2 seed in the Class 6A playoffs for the Rangers. Jurkovich, who has committed to St. Thomas, finished the regular season with 1,600 rushing yards. Park junior receiver Manny Vargas also stood out, scoring twice in the Wolfpack’s 18-10 win over Eastview with a touchdown catch and a 75-yard punt return.

The most dramatic finish occurred in the south metro, where Lakeville South pulled off an upset. Sophomore kicker Dylan Nelson connected on a 36-yard field goal with one second remaining to give the Cougars a 17-14 victory over Rosemount. The result complicates the seeding picture in the south metro for the Class 6A playoffs, as teams now face a more complex landscape in determining their postseason positions.

The conclusion of the regular season shifts the focus to the playoff bracket, where the seeds determined by these final results will play a critical role. Teams like Centennial and Forest Lake enter the postseason with favorable positioning, while others must navigate a more unpredictable path. The performances from players like Browning and Jurkovich set the tone for what could be a competitive November.