Minnesota high school football: Meet the top sophomores

These 25 standouts are among the best in the state

From defensive back to offensive line, sophomore's have made an impact across the field in Minnesota high school football this season.

Since the playoffs are here, we compiled 25 standout sophomores this season. Earlier, we compiled a list of standout sophomores. 

Vote: Who is the top sophomore in Minnesota high school football?

Vote: Who is the top freshman in Minnesota high school football?

Read through the list below and vote for who you think is the top sophomores this season in our poll to be posted on Thursday.

Top sophomores in Minnesota high school football

Howie Johnson, DE, Forest Lake

Johnson has started his entire career for one of the top 6A schools in the state. Through seven games in 2023, he’s logged 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

“He is a 6-foot-3, 240-pound specimen who is strong, can run and plays with great technique,” coach Brad Beeskow said. “He dominates football games and is a tremendous kid, likely to be a high level Division 1 player and a captain for us next year as a junior.”

Levi Harris, QB/CB, Elk River

Coach Steve Hamilton called Harris the team’s most explosive athlete, and the best he’s ever coached. Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury, Harris still played in three games with a torn ACL.

“This would be a different year if Levi was healthy,” Hamilton said. 

Simon Bicek, OG/DE, Elk River

Bicek has spent the entire year starting at the offensive guard position.

Hamilton called him a “great” athlete and student and a player who will be one of this team’s top leaders moving forward. 

Connor Newhouse, OT/DE, Elk River

Newhouse starts at tackle for coach Hamilton. Already a powerful athlete, with a strong frame and good strength, Newhouse may have the most upside, according to Hamilton. 

Daulton Bauer, QB, Janesville/Waldorf/Pemberton

Bauer has thrown for 1,043 yards and tossed 12 touchdowns through seven games as a sophomore. Under a new coaching staff, Bauer has swiftly acclimated to a new scheme, according to coach Ryan Luedtke.

“He is leading a team full of juniors and seniors while only being a sophomore,” Luedtke said. “He has done a great job of receiving coaching and willing to make changes to his approach.” 

Savy Vath, QB, John Marshall

Vath played junior varsity as a freshman and has now taken over the reins on varsity, bringing “incredible presence” to the offense, said coach Kyle Riggott.

The quarterback has 989 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions through his first seven games. He’s also added a pair of scores with his legs. Despite the unit graduating some key pieces, Vath has helped an offense that scored 4.5 points per game last season jump to an average of 24.

“Savy's football accomplishments have been great,” Riggott said, “even better is his ability to influence our entire school.”

Kaaleem Reiland, QB/DB, Kingsland

A dual-threat, Reiland has thrown for 1326 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding another 659 yards and 10 more scores on the ground.

“Kaaleem was thrown into the quarterback position for team needs last year,” coach Matt Kolling said. “He has committed himself to the weightroom, become a better quarterback through summer camps and practice and has also stepped up as a leader.”

Reiland has helped lead the Knights to an undefeated, 8-0, start. 

Luke Damm, LT/DE, St. Agnes

Damm starts two ways on an undefeated Aggies squad. Standing at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, he is a “dominant” defensive end with plenty of speed and length.

“He is only going to get better as he grows into his large frame,” coach Samuel Thompson said. 

Evonson Plamann, RB, St. Agnes

Plamann has totaled 586 rushing yards this season with four total touchdowns. Most impressively, the “small and electric” back is averaging a whopping 8.5 yards per carry for the Aggies.

Jeremiah Peterson, CB/WB/KR, Kasson-Mantorville

“Jeremiah is a great team player who has been willing to try new positions to help our team,” coach Joel Swanson said.

Peterson is a starting cornerback and wing back as well as a punt and kick returner. In middle school, he played quarterback, but was open to new roles as a freshman and has since blossomed as a big-play threat out of the backfield.

Peterson has taken 49 carries for 545 yards while also starting at cornerback this season, where his ability to defend the run and play man coverage has caught Swanson’s eye. 

Thomas McEachern, QB, Zimmerman

McEachern, a dual-threat quarterback, has come on during the back half of the season.

“He has great vision and poise for being a young quarterback,” said coach Thomas Kish. “He is 6-foot-4 with a strong arm and will become one of the best quarterbacks in the state by the time he is a senior.”

A 2023 all-district player, he completed 39-of-69 passes for 659 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. He added 607 yards and six scores on the ground. 

Mason Spence, RB/CB, Zimmerman

Another 2023 all-district standout, Spence has rushed for 414 yards and a touchdown on 65 carries, while adding 280 receiving yards and four more scores.

Spence only plays defense part-time, but has logged 11 tackles and two pass breakups.

“Mason is a very explosive player and already one of the fastest players in the state…,” Kish said. “Mason is very shifty, has great vision, and is a great route runner.”

Owen Linder, OT/DE, Chanhassen

Linder has started every game along an offensive line that helps produce over 220 rush yards per game.

A 6-foot-5, 250-pound sophomore athlete, Linder will start two ways next season for the 8-0 Storm, according to coach Cullen Nelson.

Kade Bush, TE/RB, Chanhassen

Nelson called bush a Swiss Army Knife.

A powerful athlete at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, Bush “blocks well, catches with soft hands [and] runs with vision and power,” Nelson said. 

Owen Egge, WR, St. Michael-Albertville

It’s rare that a sophomore finds a starting role for St. Michael-Albertville, a school with over 2,300 students, said coach Jared Essler, but Egge has bucked that trend.

The wideout turned in 24 catches for 315 yards and a trio of touchdowns this season — on a team far more focused on running the ball, than passing — leading the team in all three categories.

“Owen is very twitchy and runs great routes,” Essler said. “He travels all around the country on the 7-on-7 circuit and to college camps and combines.” 

Drew Bartosh, RB, Eastview

A well-regarded basketball player and former quarterback, Bartosh leads his team with 396 rushing yards through seven games at 5.1 yards per attempt. He missed one game due to a concussion.

Coach Wade Buckley called him an “undersized, but patient runner. Outstanding at reading his blocking schemes and plenty of leadership qualities.”

Justice Moody, WR/DB, Johnson

Moody is likely to earn an all-district nod for the second-straight season. A “playmaker” with the ball in his hands, he started all eight games on varsity and was one of the top receivers in the district when it came to receiving yards (693) and touchdowns (11) this season.

“He has a knack for creating separation and understands how to find holes in defensive coverages,” coach Richard Magembe said. “He is also a threat as a kick returner, as well.”

Nick Spry, QB/WR/CB, Cook County

Spry led the junior varsity team to an undefeated season as quarterback while continuing to have an impact on varsity.

He’s pushing for time at wideout while starting at cornerback. There, he’s turned in 13 tackles and an interception. 

Semaj Young, WR/CB, Robbinsdale Cooper

Entering the playoffs, Young has logged 30 catches for 404 yards and a pair of touchdowns at wideout. Defensively, at corner, he snagged three interceptions and also had a kick return touchdown.

“Semaj is a dynamic and explosive player,” co-head coach Tony Patterson said. “His quickness makes him a matchup problem for opposing defenses. He has the ability to be a game-changer on both sides of the ball.”

JR Vierstraete, DE, Marshall

Vierstraete made first team all-district as just a freshman and helped the Tigers’ find success behind a talented defensive line.

Coach Terry Bahlmann called him a “very athletic defensive end that could play multiple positions.”

In fact, this season, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound dabbled with slot receiver on offense.

John Jeanetta, DB, North St. Paul

Jeanetta had one of the most impactful and productive freshman years state-wide at defensive back last year and continued his growth this season

“He is only getting better,” coach Justin McDonald said. “He is bigger, stronger and faster and leads the team upperclassmen to look to him for football guidance, which is unheard of. John's potential is through the roof. He will go down as one of the best players to come out of Minnesota.”

David Erlandson, RB/LB, Breckenridge

Coach Carson Yaggie called Erlandson — a hybrid running back/full back — “one of the most difficult players to tackle in our area.”

After starting last season at linebacker, Erlandson now leads his team in tackles. He has also produced multiple 100-plus-yard games as a sophomore ball carrier.

“David is one of the most respectable players I've been around,” Yaggie said. “Truly loves the game of football. He has refused to get tackled all year.”

Nick Kinsey, QB, Stillwater

Kinsey has been impressive under center as just a sophomore. He has 125 completions on 218 attempts. He has 1,662 passing yards and 18 touchdowns to three touchdowns. 

Mason West, QB, Edina

West has attempted 202 passes for the Hornets. He's completed 133 of them for 1,773 yards and 16 touchdown passes to nine interceptions. 

Elijah Adzimahe, QB, North St. Paul

Adzimahe has attempted 164 passes for North St. Paul this season. He has accumulated 1,093 yards on 77 completions with nine touchdowns to four interceptions. 

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