Minnesota high school football risers: Five prospects who stood out in section finals and Class 6A’s second round

Minnesota high school football risers: Five prospects who stood out in section finals and Class 6A’s second round From an eighth-grader’s spectacular catch to two quarterbacks’ five-touchdown performances, these players delivered under postseason pressure. Comment Gift Share By Oliver West For Strib Varsity November 9, 2026 at 1:11 PM Last week’s slate of games will go down as one of the year’s most competitive and exciting. In addition to producing the upset of the year as Prior Lake took down No. 1-ranked Moorhead in Class 6A, the matchups were tightly contested up and down the state, so these risers deserve special commendation for their crunch-time performances. An eighth-grade wide receiver from Class 6A leads the way for these risers, listed alphabetically. Theo Brown, Minnetonka Class of 2031 | wide receiver | 5-11, 160 pounds An eighth-grader making explosive plays on offense as a first-year starter is nearly unheard of at the Class 6A level, but Brown seems comfortable in uncharted territory. Brown first emerged with back-to-back big games against Eden Prairie and Wayzata in early October, then put his playmaking ability on full display in the Skippers’ 26-21 win against Blaine on Friday. He popped off for eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns, including a spinning, contorted grab on a throw from North Dakota quarterback commit Caden Gutzmer that is a strong contender for catch of the year. Brown’s speed, route-running, yard-after-the-catch ability and ball skills are so advanced that it’s hard to find a comparable prospect of his age, at least in the modern era. Brayden Foust, Pierz Class of 2027 | running back/defensive back | 5-9, 170 pounds Pierz has quietly put together one of the state’s most dominant undefeated seasons. The Pioneers are fresh off thumping Pequot Lakes 54-15 in the Class 3A, Section 7 championship, where Foust once again asserted himself as one of Minnesota’s best-kept secrets among uncommitted playmakers. Foust had nine carries for 208 yards and three touchdowns, scoring from 6, 83 and 93 yards out, and added an interception on defense. His big-play speed and acceleration are backed by near-elite track and field marks, including a 10.73-second 100-meter, a 21.66-second 200-meter and a 20-foot, 5.5-inch long jump as a junior. Jeremiah Lebbi, Lakeville South Class of 2027 | running back | 5-9, 180 pounds Lakeville South and Mounds View produced one of the best games of Class 6A’s second round. The Cougars came out on top 41-34, and as in any tough, tightly contested win from this program, their rushing game reigned supreme. Lakeville South is deep at running back this fall, and behind Montana commit Griffen Dean sits fellow senior Lebbi. The underrated speedster rushed 11 times for 281 yards and three touchdowns in Friday’s win, standing out even among a talented group of running backs from both teams. Lebbi also owns some impressive track times, namely 11.05-second 100-meter and 23.30-second 200-meter personal records. As we head into the state tournament, he is one of Class 6A’s biggest sleeper recruits and best uncommitted running backs. Cash Miller, Champlin Park Class of 2027 | quarterback | 6-1, 180 pounds ADVERTISEMENT advertisement Filling in for North Dakota commit Miles Felton is no easy assignment, but Miller seems up to the task. Champlin Park’s state championship hopes remain very much alive thanks to Miller’s leadership and production. In the Rebels’ 49-13 win against Wayzata on Friday, the senior completed four of five passes for 87 yards and four touchdowns while adding 70 yards and another score on two carries. That’s one of the more distinctive stat lines we’ve seen all season. Miller, who has been offered Division III baseball roster spots, seems to possess the arm talent and composure to lead Champlin Park to more playoff victories. Henry Wiste, Southland Class of 2027 | quarterback | 6-3, 185 pounds Related Coverage How the Minnesota Top 25 fared in the second week of playoff games Football Watch: Randy Shaver wraps up section finals, Class 6A second round Football Southland pulled off one of the section finals’ best wins, especially in Class 1A. The Rebels took down Fillmore Central 38-30 in the Class 1A, Section 1 championship on Friday, led by a standout performance from their stud senior quarterback. Wiste, who also plays basketball for Southland, had one of the best games of his career. He completed 18 of 25 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns without an interception and rushed five times for 9 yards and one more TD. One of the passes, a touchdown caught by junior Cael Smith , deserves “catch of the year” consideration, especially given the timing and stakes of the play. Wiste would make a great addition to a Division III or NAIA quarterback room in the 2027 recruiting cycle. Share Comment About the Author Oliver West advertisement More From Football How the Minnesota Top 25 fared in the second week of playoff games Football Watch: ‘Strib Varsity Live With Randy Shaver’ wraps up section finals and Class 6A second round Football advertisement advertisement