Sleeper Teams

As the football season approaches, much of the buzz tends to focus on the powerhouse programs and star-studded rosters. However, every year there are a few teams that quietly build momentum, ready to shock the competition and defy expectations. These underrated squads might not be grabbing headlines now, but they have the talent, determination, and grit to make a serious impact this season. In this post, we’ll shine a spotlight on the teams flying under the radar, poised to surprise everyone and potentially shake up the standings. Keep an eye on these dark horses—they might just become the story of the year.

6A

Mounds View

After a 4-5 season in 2023, the Mustangs are looking to change the tide of their program this coming fall. They are led by Winona State QB commit Jacob Sampson on offense, as well as standout athletes Logan Johnson and Mitchell Olson. With a fairly manageable schedule this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mounds View make a run to state.

5A

Park Center

Year in and year out, Park Center produces college-level talent, and the seniors in this class are no different. 2-star Randy Kweyete and South Dakota State commit TyJohn Brooks are the leaders on each side of the ball. These two alone will be a dangerous duo, but combined with some returning starters, the Pirates are a team on the rise.

Moorhead

Jett Feeney is a name everyone needs to know if they don’t already. The freshman superstar led Moorhead with over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2023. I can only imagine that during his sophomore campaign, he will improve. Moorhead also has a young star in Taye Reich, who was another standout playing varsity football as a freshman.

4A

Totino-Grace

During their first year in 4A, the Eagles made a state tournament appearance. I predict that the Eagles will return to state in 2024 and advance to U.S. Bank Stadium. Their strength lies within the defense, which features a pair of 3-stars committed to Northern Iowa: cornerback Josiah Young and defensive lineman Theo Thomas. If the offense can pull its weight, this will be an outstanding team.

Kasson-Mantorville

Similar to the Eagles, Kasson-Mantorville's defense is what earns them a spot on this list. 2-star Caisen Thome leads this team. His draw from Division 1 schools has also put DB Jeremiah Peterson-Gordon on FBS radars, as he is one of the top in his class.

3A

Waseca

This Waseca team should not fly under the radar. They feature a pair of brothers, Damarius and Deron Russell, who look to bring home the 3A title this year. Damarius is a 2025 3-star DB committed to South Dakota State, and his younger brother is a top DB in the class of 2026.



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