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More iron proves fruitful for Falcons
by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Let’s Play Football Co-Publisher
Fertile-Beltrami found out that a little more iron in their diet can lead to a healthier season.
A commitment to the weight room translated into the program’s first state title with their 20-8 victory over a strong Hills-Beaver Creek team.
“All year we have been working to get to this spot,” said senior lineman Caleb Stoltman. “We spent a lot of time in the weight room this summer and now we have achieved it.”
The Falcons outlasted Hills-Beaver Creek with a strong running game and a tenacious defense. Both teams played strong defensively in the first half, with neither team scoring a point.
In the second half Jonah Harstad capped off a drive with a 2-yard TD run. A failed two-point conversion led to a 6-0 lead.
Isaiah Wright, who scored seven touchdowns in the team’s semifinal win to get them in to the Prep Bowl, carried the team to the red zone with 37 yards rushing on the drive, The key play came on 3rd and 8 when quarterback Easton Petry hit Preston Hanson for 13 yards to keep the drive alive.
A turnover led to the Falcons’ second TD. After recovering a fumble they started from the Patriots 42-yard line and Wright did the rest, capping off the drive with a 3-yard TD run and a two-point conversion for a 14-0 lead.
But the Patriots stormed back on the next drive when QB Jamin Metzger hit Jaden VandenBosch for a 52-yard score. Beau Bakken convert-
Falcons hoisted the 9-player trophy following their 20-8 win over
ed on the two-point attempt to make it a one-score contest heading into the fourth quarter.
The Falcons held the ball late in the third and continued their drive into Patriot territory in the early fourth quarter. Harstad capped off his senior career with the game-clinching touchdown. The defense did the rest, making a key fourth-down stop and Wright making an interception in the late minutes to seal the win.
The Falcons didn’t hoist their trophy without some adversity. They lost both their quarterbacks midseason.
“We had a lot of adversity, but we
have 12 seniors we relied on to get us through that,” said head coach Brian Nelson.
Those 12 seniors not only lifted weights to get where they are, they lifted a program.
Isaiah Wright had a message for the young up-and-comers who are looking to fill his shoes one day.
“Get in the weight room and carry on the legacy,” he said.
PHOTOS BY BRYAN ZOLLMAN
The
Hills-Beaver Creek.
The Falcons and Patriots battled hard for four quarters.
Fertile-Beltrami’s Julian Ystenes tries to track down Hills-Beaver Creek’s Micah Bush in their 9-player Prep Bowl win.
Fertile-Beltrami’s Jonah Harstad leaps into the end zone for what sealed the win for the Falcons.
Jamin Metzger (6) hands off to Beau Bakken for Hills-Beaver Creek.
CLASS
A CHAMPIONSHIP: Minneota 70, Springfield 20
Meagher’s 6 TDs leads Minneota to third straight title Vikings beat Springfield for third year in a row
by BRYAN ZOLLMAN
Let’s Play Football Co-Publisher
Ryan Meagher wasn’t thinking about records when he pulled on his jersey for the Minneota Vikings, who were searching for their third straight Class A title.
But he left U.S. Bank Stadium with a pocketful.
The senior running back scored six touchdowns, setting a Prep Bowl record, and also eclipsed school records for career touchdowns and rushing yards.
“It’s been very impressive,” said Minneota Head Coach Chad Johnston. “He’s been a phenomenal kid for us. Very humble, very soft spoken. Just shows up and does his job. He’s been a great leader for us.”
Meagher rushed 22 times for 290 yards to lead the Vikings to their third straight title in a 70-20 win over Springfield. Springfield was also making their third straight Prep Bowl appearance.
Despite the third straight loss to Minneota, Springfield players felt fortunate to be in a position to play in front of their hometown fans on the biggest stage.
“We are blessed in so many ways,” said senior Brayden Sturm. “We know they’re (fans) going to have our backs going into every single game.”
Meagher had three touchdowns in the first quarter, one of them a 60-yard jaunt to the end zone as the Vikings opened up a 21-7 lead.
Springfield’s Sturm caught a 37-yard pass from QB Parker Kuehn to make it 21-14 but that was as close as they would get as the Vikings ran away with it in the second half.
Meagher would go on to score three more times including a 57-yard touchdown run.
“Once he gets going downhill he’s just tough to bring down,” said Springfield Head Coach Adam Meyer.
Minneota finishes the season 13-0 and have won 33 straight games. Last year they defeated Springfield 43-22 and two years ago beat them 38-21. Springfield finishes this season 12-1 and are 35-6 over the past three seasons.
Springfield’s Madden Lendt catches a touchdown pass from Parker Kuehn to make it a 35-20 game.
Destin Fier scores on a 52-yard run in Minneota’s 70-20 win.
PHOTOS BY BRYAN ZOLLMAN
Third time was a charm for Minneota as they continued their domination in Class A football with a 70-20 win over Springfield.
Ryan Meagher set a Prep Bowl record with six rushing touchdowns.
DRIVEN: Jackson County Central wins Class AA state title
‘Next man up’ mentality carries team to state title
by MIKE SONNTAG
Let’s Play Football Co-Publisher
Driven Jackson County Central earns their title and leaves their legacy with first undefeated season in school history after defeating Staples-Motley 42-26 in the Class 2AA Championship at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The players and coaches from Jackson County Central all know this year’s season began last year in in a semi-final loss to Barnesville. Leading 15-6 at halftime in that game, the Huskies lost their starting quarterback Roman Voss, ranked the #1 junior recruit in the state, and eventually the football game.
“We consider ourselves one big player, not a group of 11 players,” senior Guard/Linebacker Ian Titterington said.
It was that “next man up” mentality that carried the team through their off-season workouts and into the season. Turns out they needed that mantra as again late in this season they lost Voss as well as junior wide receiver/defensive back Ben Gallagher.
Voss sent a text of assurance to the coaches after the latest injury.
“He texted us saying, ‘hey we still have a really good football team and everything is going to be ok’, and that helped me, and I think the kids get off the deck,” head coach Tom Schuller recalled.
“The road these kids traveled was filled with adversity, and these kids did not blink,” Schuller said. “Maybe the most impressive thing I have experienced as a coach was watching how senior Grant Freking stepped into the role of QB in a few weeks and picked up what he did to run our offense.”
Staples-Motley opened the scoring when junior linebacker Luke Bjerga intercepted Jackson County Central’s senior Grant Freking and returned it 38 yards for a pick six to put the Cardinals up 6-0. The Huskies
showed their resolve almost immediately when Freking hit senior Ben Dahlin for a 67-yard touchdown pass to tie the score 6-6. Jackson County Central would score twice more in the first quarter, once on a one-yard Clay Malchow plunge and the other on a Freking to Carson Pohlman pass and catch for 24-yards to extend the lead to 22-6.
The Huskies led 36-20 at halftime and Staples-Motley was never able to close that gap after losing their starting quarterback, junior Eli Rutten, to injury.
Jackson County Central gained 388 yards of offense to Staples-Motley’s 251. Luke Bjerga scored his second touchdown on a two-yard rush. Alex Schultz finished 5 of 12 for 85 yards and one touchdown pass in relief of Rutten for the Cardinals. Malchow ran for
127 yards and three touchdowns as well as a defensive interception, Dahlin had five catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns, and Freking threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Huskies.
Staples-Motley’s incredible season ends with a 12-1 record. The Cardinals have overcome adversity themselves having finished the season 0-9 just two years ago. It was quite a remarkable turnaround for the team and the community.
The state title was the first for Jackson County Central since 2001. Malchow summed up his team’s feelings after finally breaking through after two straight semi-final losses.
“We strived to be here every day since we lost last year, it is a major relief,” he said.
Clay Malchow had three TDs for Jackson County Central as they defeated Staples-Motley for the Class AA title.
Alex Schultz looks for a lane in Staples-Motley’s 42-26 loss to Jackson County Central.
Miles Allen and Jack Mix, both seniors, celebrate their Prep Bowl victory.
PHOTOS BY BRYAN ZOLLMAN Jackson County Central overcame key injuries and took home the Class AA title with a 42-26 win over Staples-Motley.
CLASS AAA CHAMPIONSHIP: Stewartville 43, Dassel-Cokato 22
No rest for success Stewartville wins second straight Class AAA title
by BRYAN ZOLLMAN
When you are a defending state champion there is a certain target on your back.
With that comes the expectation of proving yourself. With that comes the hard work and preparation to be sure you don’t rest on your success.
The Stewartville Tigers pulled off an improbable run with their second straight title and have now won 28 straight games with their 43-22 win over Dassel-Cokato in the Class AAA Prep Bowl.
Parker Wangen and Dylan Scanlan each scored twice to lead the Tigers past the Chargers to finish with their second consecutive 14-0 season.
The Tigers rushed for 247 yards and scored five touchdowns on the ground.
“Our offensive line has been outstanding all year,” said Stewartville Head Coach Garrett Mueller. “They are a close group and hang out with each other off the field. Those guys are just complete football players.”
Mueller didn’t under-emphasize the importance of a strong front.
“We gotta win on the ground first and those guys did an awesome job today,” he said.
Stewartville opened the scoring when Abdimailk Abdi capped off a 9-play, 55-yard drive and with an extra point by Parker Wangen gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
Dassel-Cokato tied it up on their next drive when Caleb Smock scored on a 7-yard TD run to end a 12-play, 70-yard drive.
But it was all Stewartville after that.
Scanlan broke free on a 3rd and 5 play for a 58-yard score and a 13-7 lead late in the first quarter. In th second quarter, after the Dassel defense stalled a Stewartville drive, Parker Wangen booted a 25-yard field goal for a 16-7 lead.
The Tiger defense stood their ground on the next kickoff and gave the Chargers a four and out and turned it into another score when Wangen plowed through the line for a 23-7 lead.
Stewartville added onto their lead in the third quarter, and two late touchdowns by Dassel-Cokato were not timely enough to get them back in the game.
Scanlan finished with 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Wangen had 39 yards on the ground and two TDs. Vincnt Wellik threw for a touchdown to Wangen as well.
The Chargers had a strong ground game as well, rushing for 263 yards led by Kobe Thielen with 107 yards in 23 carries. Smock had 92 yards on 13 carries.
Despite the loss, Chargers Head Coach Ryan Weinandt said he was proud of his team, who will graduate 23 seniors.
“These guys played their hearts out,” he said.
When asked what he will remember about the group: “Watching their character and witnessing them together as a team,” he said.
Mueller said the goal was to stay hungry and motivated after winning a title a year ago.
“We’ve had great leadership,” he said.
Mueller didn’t wait until after the game to tell his team what they meant to him and his staff.
“We told them before we took the field how proud we are and how much we love them,” he said.
Repeating as champions is not an easy task. Which is why this one was especially sweet, especially for the seniors.
“You hear it all the time that Friday nights aren’t forever, but you don’t realize it until it’s gone,” said Greysen Schneider. “So to go out on top is awesome.”
PHOTOS BY BRYAN ZOLLMAN
Stewartville repeated as Class AAA Prep Bowl champions with a 43-22 win over Dassel-Cokato.
Let’s Play Football Co-Publisher
Dassel-Cokato QB Cole Veith comes up a tad short in their Prep Bowl loss to Stewartville. Stewartville own their second straight state title with a stroing performance against a very good Dassel-Cokato squad.
The second state title is often tougher than the first. Stewartville players didn’t rest on their state title from a year ago and celebrated with pride following their repeat win in Class AAA.
Becker puts exclamation point on perfect season
Bulldog defense stymies Eagles offense
by MIKE SONNTAG
Let’s Play Football Co-Publisher
The 2024 version of the Becker Bulldog football team left no doubts about their desire to win a state championship for their long-time coach during their run to the Prep Bowl.
The Bulldogs dominated their opponents throughout the season and the playoffs. On paper, the undefeated Totino-Grace Eagles looked to be the worthiest obstacle for the Bulldogs to overcome to complete a perfect season, one that saw their hall of fame coach Dwight Lundeen win his 400th game in an opening night win over Hill-Murray.
A fast, deep, disciplined, and veteran Bulldog team put an exclamation mark to the championship caliber team they were with a convincing 24-8 win at U.S. Bank Stadium to claim the Class AAAA title.
The Bulldogs won the battle on all phases of the game. The offense amassed 283 total yards, most of them coming on the ground.
Becker opened the scoring when senior running back Landen Kujawa bounced off a tackle and raced 32 yards to put Becker up 7-0 late in the first quarter. Carter Reckelberg followed that with a 54-yard run, a play that saw the senior wide receiver get to the edge on a sweep then cut back across the field and out-run the Eagles defense to bump the Becker lead to 14-0.
After stopping Totino-Grace on a 4th and short on their own side of the field, it appeared Becker was set to score and carry a commanding three score lead in to halftime, but Totino-Grace ju-
nior corner Jaden Miller gave the Eagles hope by intercepting a pass in the end zone to keep the score 14-0 at halftime.
That hope lasted 18 seconds into the second half when Becker’s two-way player, junior Sawyer Brown, stepped in front of a would-be-Eagles receiver and housed a 30-yard interception, and just like that it was 21-0 Becker.
The Bulldogs’ special teams got into the act by blocking a Totino-Grace punt which put Becker on the Eagles’ 21-yard line. Senior Evan Norberg kicked a 26yard field goal to extend the score to 240.
Becker’s defense stopped Totino-Grace on fourth down three times in the game. The Eagles did not cross over 100 yards of offense until the fourth quarter on a drive that led to a short touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jake Person to his junior end tight end Luther Bunge. Senior running back Syl Berg plunged in for the two-point conversion for Totino-Grace to finish the scoring 24-8.
Totino-Grace finishes the season an impressive 12-1. Head coach Jay An-
Becker’s defense made it tough for Totino-Grace to get anything going offensively.
derson praised his senior group for putting Totino-Grace back on the map after moving from Class AAAAAA two years ago.
“I am proud of these kids and can’t thank them enough for what they did to create excitement for our program,” Anderson said.
Becker finishes a perfect 13-0, giving coach Lundeen his 412th victory in 55 seasons of coaching and being named the Minnesota Vikings high school coach of the year for 2024.
“I could not be happier for our community, for these young men. These se-
niors dressed when they were freshmen and after a tough section loss that season made a commitment to get here and they made it happen,” Lundeen said.
Lundeen’s players showed the same level of happiness and appreciation for their coach.
When asked what the coach meant to him, senior safety Kaden Nicolas said, “He’s the best role model I’ve ever had, not just as a coach, but he is the exact person I want to be when I grow up.”
“Yeah, he’s the man,” Kujava added.
Dwight Lundeen is in his 55th season and now has four state titles to his credit.
PHOTOS BY MIKE SONNTAG
Becker proved they were indeed the best AAAA team in the state with a convincing 24-8 win over Totino-Grace,
Totino-Grace’s Syl Berg gets a pass near the goal line during Friday’s Class AAAA Prep Bowl match up against Becker.
Becker got it done in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Time and time again Elk River rushes their way back to 5A title
by BRYAN ZOLLMAN
Let’s Play Football Co-Publisher
Sometimes the best defense is having a good offense.
Elk River proved that with their Class AAAAA state championship win over Alexandria, 33-24.
The Elks controlled the football for 33:55 compared to Alexandria’s 14:05 and held them scoreless in the second half on their way to their second title in three years.
“Our game plan was to wear those guys out and control the ball,” said Elks Head Coach Steve Hamilton.
That they did.
Alexandria and their powerful offense led by uber-talented Chase Thompson had the ball for just four minutes in the second half. The game entered halftime tied 24-24.
The teams traded scores in the first quarter with the Elks striking first on a 64-yard run by Carsyn Kleffman. Kleffman also converted on the two-point try on a pass from Gavin Schmidt for an 8-0 lead.
Alexandria responded when Thompson, a 6’8” agile QB with a strong and accurate arm, hit Mason Gorghuber on an 11-yard score. Gopher football commit Daniel Jackson drilled the extra point for an 8-7 game.
The Elks got another score midway through the second quarter when Kleffman notched his second TD of the game on a 1-yard run. The touchdown capped off a 16-play, 80-yard drive that ate almost eight minutes off the clock. Schmidt and Kleffman converted again on the conversion for a 16-7 lead.
But it took just one play for Thompson to connect with Mason Witt for an
80-yard score. After another Jackson kick it was 16-14.
Not to be outdone, Elk River’s Brecken Keoraj took off for 63 yards and after another two-point success by Levi Harris, led 24-14.
Thompson didn’t let the two-score lead last long as he connected with Gorghuber again, this time on a 23-yard score and with another Jackson extra point a 24-21 deficit.
After a big stop on defense, the Cardinals took over with 1:50 left in the half and after a couple completions got into field goal range where Jackson buried 44-yarder to tie the game heading into the locker room.
But that’s all the Cardinals could muster on offense, not so much because Elk River stonewalled them, but because they didn’t have the ball enough.
Elk River’s opening drive in the second half took more than nine minutes off the clock and ended with a Levi Harris touchdown and a 30-24 lead.
Harris wasn’t done. He intercepted a Thompson pass on the next drive, leading to another 9-minute drive that resulted in a field goal by Spencer Burgoon for a 33-24 lead. The big play, however, came on a fourth down play where it speared Alexandria’s defense who made a key stop which would have given them the ball at midfield with plenty of time to play. But after an official review it was determined the player did indeed reach the markers and a first down was awarded, leading to the field goal.
“It was a crazy swing there for both sides,” said Hamilton. “It allowed us to keep the drive going.”
The reversal didn’t necessarily take the wind out of the Cardinals sails, it just kept the ball out of Thompson’s hands.
“It was a downer thinking we had
a stop and a a chance to possibly take the lead there,” said Alexandria Head Coach Mike Empting. “Our guys did eventually make a stop and force a field goal.”
Elk River intercepted another pass within the two-minute mark, sealing the win for the Elks.
In the end, it was time of possession that determined the outcome as much as the final score. The Elks were coming off a 4-7 season after winning
a state title in 2022.
“I was new to varsity and when my junior year came I took it for granted,” said Harris, who finished with 51 yards rushing, a touchdown and a key interception. “I realized winning a state championship doesn’t just happen. It’s hard to do. I can’t explain how insanely happy I am.”
After a 4-7 season, the Elks proved that sometimes achieving a dream just takes a little time.
PHOTOS BY BRYAN ZOLLMAN
The Elks raised the trophy for the second time in three years following their win over Alexandria to claim the Class AAAAA title.
Mason Gorghuber grabs a touchdown pass from Chase Thompson. Gorghuber had two touchdowns on the day.
Chase Thompson hands off to Brody Berg as lineman Evan Zabel protects the lane.
Elk River senior running back Gavin Kerns takes a hit form Alexandria’s Samson Hagstrom during action in the Elks’ victory.
William
Chad
51st Annual MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ALL-STAR GAME
Cullen
Chris
Donny
Scott
Maple Grove outlasts Skippers for 6A title Crimson wins second title in three years
The Crimson hoisted the trophy for the second time in three years after their 28-21 win.
season to emerge as the state’s best.
by MIKE SONNTAG
Let’s Play Football Co-Publisher
Maple Grove fought off a furious late comeback attempt by Minnetonka to win 28-21, giving it their second state title in three years in the Class AAAAAA state championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Having now played in the state championship game three of the last four years, the Crimson program could be a dynasty in the making. With a few of this year’s seniors having played for the 2022 championship team, experience
mattered for the Crimson both on and off the field this season.
Maple Grove junior running back
Patrick Wright scored from ten yards out with 5:29 left in the fourth quarter to give the Crimson a comfortable 28-7 lead. But Minnetonka showed they had a lot of fight and character by scoring two touchdowns in less than two and a half minutes to cut the Crimson’s lead to seven with 2:49 left in the game.
First, Skippers senior running back Conrad Chase finished a quick drive with a two-yard touchdown run. Then after a forcing a three and out followed
by a Maple Grove punt, Minnetonka junior quarterback Caleb Francois threaded the needle between two defenders to hit senior wide receiver Vinny May for a 37-yard touchdown strike and put the party in Maple Grove on hold.
“I told the team I wanted 28-7,” Maple Grove first-year head coach Adam Spurrell lamented. “The last five minutes took years off my life.”
Up fourteen points with four minutes left, the Crimson tried a fake punt at midfield that the Skippers were able to snuff out. When asked if that was a called fake, Spurrell took full responsibility.
“Yeah we give him the freedom to go for it if he thinks he has an opportunity, but in hindsight I should have told him not to take that opportunity with a fourteen-point lead in the fourth quarter of the state championship game,” Spurrell said smiling.
Maple Grove used an early 39-yard scoop and score by Crimson senior linebacker Jacob Wrbanek to gain early momentum against Minnetonka. The Skippers quickly responded to tie the game when Francois found the end zone from one yard out. Crimson senior running back Chuck Langama rushed for 71 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns in the first half to give Maple Grove a 21-7 halftime lead. Langama finished the game with 26 carries for 146 yards and was the workhorse for the Crimson.
This game also offered a bit of sideline intrigue as the Crimson faced their former state champion coach Matt Lombardi who left following the 2023 season to become defensive coordinator at Minnetonka for head coach Mark Esch. When asked how the Crimson players managed the sudden change at the top, the players seemed unfazed.
“We really wanted Spurrell to be our head coach and we as a group did a lot to get him in there,” Wrbanek said. “And we love him!”
When asked what they learned from the 2022 championship team, senior WR/DB Dylan Vokal credited that year’s seniors with the way they practiced and type of friendships they had.
“Film sessions at guy’s houses and just the camaraderie they had, we wanted to mirror that so we could achieve the same outcome,” Vokal said Vokal had two second half interceptions, including one with five seconds left in the game to seal the victory. Minnetonka finished the season 10-3 and have many talented players coming back.
“We’ll be back,” Skippers head coach Mark Esch said. “These kids never quit; they showed that tonight.”
Maple Grove finished the season undefeated 13-0, they last won the state championship in 2022 and finished runners-up in 2021.
PHOTOS BY BRYAN ZOLLMAN
The Crimson survived a tough schedule in a strong Class AAAAAA field this
Chuck Langama scored two touchdowns for the Crimson.
The Crimson offensive and defensive lines proved valuable in their win over the Skippers. Dylan Vokel stays in bounds after a catch in the Crimson’s win over Minnetonka.
Vikings & SCHEELS host Toys for Tots Drive & Gift Shopping Sprees
Five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and … 47 Hot Wheels cars?
There was no partridge in a pear tree at the Vikings and SCHEELS annual Toys for Tots drive, but 4-year-old Donnie certainly got all the gifts he wanted – and almost all had four wheels.
“Donnie’s a big car guy; he likes the red ones,” quipped Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, who pushed the young man in a shopping cart around SCHEELS in search of tiny toy automobiles and, of course, a dinosaur-themed garage to store them all.
T.J. did also help select sneakers –Donnie was insistent on pink-and-white – and some new winter gear for the youngster. The latter was especially appreciated by Donnie’s mother, a 2024 graduate of Jeremiah Program.
“It was a lot of fun to see him smile and have such a great time,” T.J. said. “It’s Christmas time, so you love to see those smiles on people’s faces [and see them] get new coats, new winter stuff, and then to be able to also get toys, as well.”
T.J. kicked off the shopping spree after doing an interview with “Voice of the Vikings” Paul Allen on KFAN’s 9 to Noon. KFAN broadcasted live from SCHEELS throughout the entire day, while fans and listeners donated enough toys to fill 16 mammoth crates. The Vikings and SCHEELS once again teamed up to provide $1,000 shopping sprees to single mothers who have completed Jeremiah Program, a nonprofit focused on disrupting the cycle of poverty two generations at a time, and their children.
Jeremiah Program Family Coach Hannah Hummel expressed gratitude for the Vikings longstanding partnership with
the organization and noted that families participating in the shopping sprees will be impacted far beyond the day itself.
“It’s a very big day, and it can be even a little nerve-racking for mom or the kids being around so many people they didn’t know, but then they go home and truly [soak in] this joy,” Hummel said. “We see that truly last a while. It’s really great to see the players interacting with the kids and standing out as a role model, letting the kids know that being an NFL player is something they could potentially be if they wanted to. It’s important for them to know things like this are achievable for them, too.”
Portia Jackson graduated from Jeremiah Program in 2003, accomplishing her degree as a young mother. Two decades later, she works for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and enjoys helping other families who may be facing difficult circumstances.
“The opportunity to be able to focus on post-secondary education, to be able to focus on [success for me and my children, not just me, was huge],” Portia said. “And also, the safe and affordable housing
was very important. So without Jeremiah Program, you know, I probably would have still gotten to where I am today, but it would have been a lot more difficult.”
Portia and her two youngest children, twin boys Nick and Kobe, were able to join Trishton Jackson for a morning shopping spree highlighted by new basketballs, Nike hoodies, down jackets, LEGOs and a trip through the SCHEELS candy store. Portia and the twins also shopped alongside Jeremiah Program graduate Libby, who now serves as a social worker, and her two sons.
Trishton chatted comfortably with the four boys, swapping stories about school, sports and clothes.
“I love to see this, because I was in their shoes once,” said Trishton, who spent two hours with the families. “This is the best thing, for me to be able to do this and give back – and especially to work with kids. [I also] talked to the moms today and got a good idea of their stories, and it kind of hits home for me and makes me want to help people even more. I’m just blessed to be in a situation to be able to give back.”
In addition to the families who shopped with Trishton and T.J., other
moms and their children were paired with linebacker Blake Cashman, cornerback Shaq Griffin and safety Joshua Metellus. Shaq enjoyed shopping with three siblings and helping them pick out new hats, toys and clothing.
“She’s a professional shopper,” he quipped of the young girl, who headed straight to a wall of Stanley mugs to select a hot pink one.
“If I was one of these kids at this age, I know this would be something I’d be talking about for the rest of my life,” Shaq said. “Just phenomenal moments. And for me as an NFL player, being able to give back, it’s a great opportunity and something me and my fiancée have talked about a lot, getting a chance to give back, and we tend to be a part of it every year. Being part of a new area, Minnesota, our first year, it’s been awesome, and I love being around the kids.”
While Shaq has been a new addition to the Twin Cities this season, it’s been quite the opposite for Blake, an Eden Prairie native who this spring returned to his home state to join the Vikings as a free agent.
Blake had the opportunity to spend time with 4-year-old Knowledge and his mother, who as Portia’s daughter is a second-generation beneficiary of Jeremiah Program and its resources.
“A lot of [this experience] made me think about how I was as a little boy. He was full of energy, running around,” Blake laughed. “It was funny, his family wants to get him new clothes, new shoes, some boots for wintertime, but he’s all focused on the toys and games. I was the same way as a kid, for sure.
“It’s the holiday season and time to give back,” he added. “I think for all of us, we grew up with athletes we looked up to and idolized as kids, and they kind of paved the way and gave back to their community … so this is definitely a special moment for me, too – a full-circle moment, in a way.”
Defense carries Royals into the quarterfinals, No. 21 Royals knock off No. 11 Wartburg 24-14
WAVERLY, Iowa – Forcing three missed field goals, two interceptions and nine tackles for loss, the No. 21 ranked Bethel University football team defeated No. 11 Wartburg, 24-14, in the third round of the NCAA Playoff Saturday in Waverly, Iowa.
The win improves Bethel to 11-2 on the year as they reach the quarterfinals for the sixth time in program history and third time since 2018.
Bethel outgained Wartburg (10-2) by a 290-288 minimal margin, including a 221-117 edge in the air. Bethel rushed for 69 yards while Wartburg was held to 111 yards, despite coming in averaging 213.5 rushing yards a game.
Cooper Drews was 23-of-34 passing while airing it out for two touchdowns.
Aaron Ellingson on the ground had 20 carries for 60 yards while receiving wise he had six catches for 47 yards. Micah Niewald had 10 catches for 99 yards while Joey Kidder had three catches, one for a TD, for 38 yards.
Carter Johnson led the defense with 10 tackles, three which came for a loss.
Kolin Baier had Bethel’s lone sack while adding three TFLs.
Receiving the opening kickoff, Bethel scored on its opening drive where Cooper Drews completed all six passing attempts. The Royals recovered a fumbled handoff on the Wartburg seven-yard line before Drews connected with Aaron Ellingson for a catch and run score.
The Knights needed one play to respond going over the top for a 55-yard
touchdown pass with 10:43 in the first.
Bethel’s defense bent a bit but didn’t break, forcing misses on a 51-yard and 37yard field goal attempt from the Knights. BU’s offense got all the way down to the four-yard line before having to settle for a 21-yard field goal from Hugo Cifuentes putting the Royals back on top 10-7 with 5:18 left in the half.
In acrobatic fashion, Devin Williams
MIAC Players of the Year named semifinalists for Gagliardi Trophy
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Two Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) football players have been named among the 18 semifinalists nationwide for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy, honoring the top NCAA Division III student-athlete in football, academics and community service.
Saint John’s quarterback and MIAC Offensive Player of the Year Aaron Syverson and Bethel safety and MIAC Defensive Player of the Year Matt Jung were selected as semifinalists for the prestigious award.
The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John’s legendary Hall of Fame head football coach, who passed away at the age of 91 in 2018. John retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history.
Jung (So. | Neenah, Wis.) currently leads the nation with eight interceptions, three of which have been returned for touchdowns. Jung also leads the Royals with 91 tackles and has forced two fumbles. On special teams, he ranks ninth nationally, averaging 15.4 yards per punt return.
Syverson (Sr. | Minnetonka, Minn.) ended the regular season as the Division III leader in completion percentage (.765); second in completions per game (26.7), passing yards per game (355.9), passing touchdowns (43), points re-
sponsible for per game (26.4) and total offense (355.0 ypg.); fifth in passing efficiency (200.5); and ninth in yards per pass attempt (10.2). Syverson is currently 294 of 388 passing (.758) for 3,916 yards and 46 touchdowns (to four interceptions). Syverson has passed for over 300 yards in nine of the Johnnies’ 11 games this fall, including three over 400, and for five or more touchdowns five times with seven games of four or more.
The Gagliardi Trophy finalists will be announced during a live show at 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 19, on D3football.com. Hosts Pat Coleman and Frank Rossi will profile the finalists during the program. The 2024 Gagliardi Trophy recipient will be revealed on D3football. com during the week of the NCAA Division III football national championship. In the lead-up to the announcement of the winner, D3football.com will provide updates on specific dates and times of the announcement.
Colleges across the country submitted nominations, and the semifinalists were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors. The Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee is comprised of 18 Division III coaches (three from each NCAA Region), six Division III administrators (one from each region), 12 regional notable voters (two from each region), and six national voters with Division III backgrounds. No J-Club members vote as part of the national selection committee. A fan vote runs until Dec. 13 at D3football.com.
picked off what would have been a 36-yard catch for the Knights and got BU back on the field with just one play later. Bethel’s drive would stall at their own 44-yard line and have to punt on the six-play drive. The Royals’ defense continued to shine, forcing its first three-and-out of the day.
Working from their own 36-yard line, BU’s effective offense marched 64 yards in 1:22 as Joey Kidder made a leaping
grab in the end zone. The 14-yard score, which came with 24 seconds left, sent the Royals into the break up 17-7.
In the first half, Bethel totaled 245 yards of offense on 47 plays while holding the Knights to 162 yards in 29 plays.
Bethel’s defense forced a pair of Wartburg punts before Cooper Drews made his first and only mistake of the game with an interception. Wartburg needed one play for a 25-yard score that made it 17-14 with 5:17 left in the third.
After the Royals turned it over on downs right at midfield late in the third, Wartburg carried its drive into the fourth where Matt Jung picked off the Knights’ QB and ran down the far sideline for 59 yards to the house. It was his fourth pick six of the season.
It’d be the game’s final score as BU’s defense forced a punt, missed 30-yard field goal and then a game-sealing interception by Isaac Call in the Knights’ final three possessions.
UP NEXT
Bethel squares off with No. 6 Susquehanna in the quarterfinals after the River Hawks defeated No. 3 Saint John’s 4138 with a last-second 37-yard field goal. The quarterfinal matchup is set for Saturday, Dec. 14. Susquehanna, is the higher-ranked NPI team and will have hosting duties. Kickoff will be 11 a.m. Central time, noon Eastern time with the game being played in Selinsgrove, Pa.
SJU’s Syverson & Wheeler named AFCA All-Americans
by RYAN KLINKNER
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint
John’s University senior quarterback Aaron Syverson (Minnetonka, Minn.) and junior wide receiver Dylan Wheeler (St. Paul, Minn./Mounds View) were named American Football Coaches’ Association (AFCA) All-Americans on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Wheeler was named to the AFCA All-America first team, while Syverson received second-team honors.
SJU has now had 115 football student-athletes earn All-America honors a total of 151 times in the program’s 113-season history.
Wheeler ended the regular season second in NCAA Division III in receiving touchdowns (19), eighth in total touchdowns, 10th in receptions per game (7.5) and 16th in receiving yards (1,065). He recorded over 100 receiving yards in seven of his team’s 11 games so far this fall and leads SJU in receptions (78), receiving yards (1,093) and receiving touchdowns
(20). The 20 receiving touchdowns are second-most in program history, two behind the record of 22 set by Blake Elliott ‘03 in 2002, while the catches rank sixth and the yards rank are ninth.
He was a two-time MIAC Offensive Player of the Week and led the MIAC in scoring, both in touchdowns (16) and total points (96), while finishing fifth in receptions (54) and sixth in receiving yards (821) in eight conference games. Syverson ended the regular season as the Division III leader in completion percentage (.765); second in completions per game (26.7), passing yards per game (355.9), passing touchdowns (43), points responsible for per game (26.4) and total offense (355.0 ypg.); fifth in passing efficiency (200.5); and ninth in yards per pass attempt (10.2).
He is currently 294 of 388 passing (.758) for 3,916 yards and 46 touchdowns (to four interceptions). Syverson has passed for over 300 yards in nine of
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAN BORGESON
Saint John’s senior quarterback and junior wide receiver Dylan Wheeler .
PHOTO COURTESY OF ATHLETICS.BETHEL.EDU
Bethel University celebrates after defeating Wartburg, 24-14, in the third round of the NCAA Playoff.
SJU Athletic Media Relations Director
MIAC announces 2024 Football awards
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The 2024 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) football regular season concluded last month and the conference has recognized the top performers from another outstanding campaign with the announcement of the 2024 MIAC Football Awards.
Saint John’s senior quarterback Aaron Syverson was selected as the MIAC Offensive Player of the Year, while Bethel sophomore safety Matt Jung was named MIAC Defensive Player of the Year. Bethel senior defensive lineman Caden DeWall received the Mike Stam Award, presented to the top lineman in the conference, and Concordia first-year offensive lineman Jake Long was named the MIAC Football Rookie of the Year. Saint John’s head coach Gary Fasching was honored by his peers with the John Gagliardi Coach of the Year Award.
Syverson (Sr. | Minnetonka, Minn.) was selected MIAC Offensive Player of the Year after setting single-season conference records for passing touchdowns (36), completion percentage (74.5), and 300yard passing games (7) in MIAC games. Syverson also matched the conference record for 400-yard games in a season (3) and finished with the second-most passing
yards against MIAC opponents in a season in recorded conference history. Syverson became the MIAC’s career passing yardage and touchdowns leader in 2024. He is the first Johnnie to receive an individual MIAC postseason football honor since Michael Wozniak was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Jung (So. | Neenah, Wis.) was voted MIAC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference with four interceptions in MIAC games and returning three of them for touchdowns. Jung also totaled 62 tackles and 2.5 sacks in league contests. He is the first Royal in program history to be named MIAC Defensive Player of the Year.
DeWall (Sr. | Becker, Minn.) received Mike Stam Lineman of the Year honors after leading the conference with 13 sacks in MIAC games. DeWall finished the MIAC schedule with 37 tackles and a conference-best three fumble recoveries. He is the third Royal in program history – and the first since 2006 – to receive the Mike Stam Award. The Mike Stam Award was created in 1990 in memory of the former Carleton All-MIAC defensive lineman who passed away in a snowmobiling accident after his junior season.
Long (Fy. | Westfield, Wis. | Adams-Friendship) was named MIAC Rookie of the Year after starting every game for the Cobbers in his debut season. The first-year guard helped Concordia average 140.4 rushing yards per game and 8.8 yards per pass attempt in 2024. Long is the second consecutive Cobber to receive MIAC Rookie of the Year honors, joining fellow Concordia offensive lineman and 2023 recipient Angel Reyes. Fasching (12th season) received the John Gagliardi Coach of the Year Award for the seventh time in his career after guiding the Johnnies to the program’s 37th MIAC title and ninth trip to the NCAA Playoffs in the last ten seasons. A former MIAC student-athlete himself, Fasching was a three-year starter at linebacker for Gagliardi’s Johnnies before spending 17 years as an assistant on the legendary coach’s SJU staff. The MIAC Coach of the Year Award was renamed in honor of Gagliardi – college football’s all-time wins leader – in 2013.
In addition to individual honors, the MIAC also announced All-Conference and honorable mention selections. Sixty players received All-MIAC accolades, with another 29 receiving honorable mention dis-
2024 MIAC Football Awards
of the Year
DL Caden DeWall Bethel Sr. Becker, Minn.
2024 MIAC Football Rookie of the Year
OL Jake Long Concordia Fy. Westfield, Wis. | Adams-Friendship
2024 MIAC Football Coach of the Year Gary Fasching Saint John’s 2014 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022
2024 MIAC Football All-Conference Offense
QB Cooper Drews Bethel So. Princeton, Minn.
QB Cooper Mattern Concordia Sr. Fargo, N.D. | Shanley 2023
QB Aaron Syverson Saint John’s Sr. Minnetonka, Minn. 2022 | 2023
RB Aaron Ellingson Bethel Gr. St. Louis Park, Minn. 2021 (HM) | 2023
RB Nick Schlender St. Scholastica Sr. Stillwater, Minn.
RB Caden Wheeler Saint John’s Jr. Andover, Minn.
RB River Wood Gustavus Sr. St. Petersburg, Fla. | Dixie-Hollins --*
WR Tyler Dimond Carleton Jr. North Grafton, Mass. | Grafton
WR Joey Kidder Bethel Sr. New Richmond, Wis. 2021 (1T) | 2022
WR Marselio Mendez Saint John’s Sr. St. Paul, Minn. | Cretin-Derham Hall 2023 (HM)
WR Micah Niewald Bethel Sr. Fridley, Minn. 2021 (HM) | 2022 | 2023
WR Dawson Schaffer Hamline Jr. Kindred, N.D.
WR Dylan Wheeler Saint John’s Jr. St. Paul, Minn. | Mounds View 2023 (HM)
WR Tyrone Wilson Augsburg Jr. Ellendale, Minn.
TE Joey Gendreau Saint John’s Jr. Shorewood, Minn. | Minnetonka
TE Derek Hansen St. Olaf Sr. Eagan, Minn. 2022 | 2023
OL Jaeger Ash Bethel So. Milaca, Minn.
OL Sam Dioszeghy Concordia So. Mound, Minn. | Mound Westonka
OL Charlie Folkens Saint John’s Sr. Rogers, Minn.
OL Andrew Hahn Augsburg Sr. Avon, Minn. | Albany 2023
OL Johnathan Hartwig St. Olaf Jr. Hudson, Wis.
OL Josh Helling Bethel Sr. Parkers Prairie, Minn. 2023
OL Nick McKenzie Saint John’s Sr. New London, Minn. | New London-Spicer --
OL Grant Peroutka Saint John’s Sr. Rosemount, Minn. 2023
OL Luke Rooker Gustavus Sr. Stillwater, Minn. | Totino-Grace
OL Ethan Tong Concordia Sr. West Fargo, N.D. 2023
OL Isaiah Ward Bethel Jr. Centerville, Minn. 2023
*All-Conference RET in 2022 & 2023
2024 MIAC Football All-Conference Defense
DL Noah Barrett St. Olaf Jr. Stratford, Wis.
DL Caden DeWall Bethel Sr. Becker, Minn. 2023
DL Zach Frank Saint John’s Sr. Lino Lakes, Minn. | Centennial 2023
DL Landon Gallagher Saint John’s Sr. Murrieta, Calif. | Vista Murrieta
DL Javier Gratacos Gustavus Sr. Orlando, Fla. | Lake Nona 2022 | 2023
DL Isaac Hetland Saint John’s Sr. Osakis, Minn.
DL Max Olson Gustavus So. Trimont, Minn. | Martin County West
DL Reese Pantila Bethel Sr. Woodbury, Minn. | East Ridge 2022 (HM) | 2023
DL Noah Richards Bethel Sr. Edina, Minn.
DL Collin Thompson Concordia Sr. Thatcher, Ariz. 2022 | 2023
LB Carson DeKam Gustavus Sr. Owatonna, Minn. 2021 | 2022 | 2023
LB Taylor Glynn Bethel Jr. Grand Meadow, Minn. 2023
LB Jacob Holmen Bethel Sr. Spicer, Minn. | New London-Spicer 2021 (2T) | 2022
and No. 18 Wisconsin-La Crosse).
continued from page 14
the Johnnies’ 11 games this fall, including three over 400, and for five or more touchdowns five times with seven games of four or more.
Syverson completed 76.1 percent (121-for-159) of his passes for 1,462 yards and 14 touchdowns (to two interceptions) in four wins against nationally ranked teams (then-No. 4/now No. 10 Wartburg; then-No. 24/now No. 21 Bethel, twice;
He owns the program and MIAC records for pass attempts (1,372); pass completions (946), passing yards (12,422) and touchdown passes (142), as well as the SJU marks for completion percentage (.690), passing yards per game (310.5), total offense (12,498 yards) and 300-yard passing games (19). Syverson is third in SJU history in both passing efficiency (174.9) and quarterback wins as a starter (36-4 record).
Syverson played all eight conference games and led the MIAC in every passing statistic for the second-consecutive season:
tinctions. Thirty-one of the 60 All-MIAC honorees had also been recognized with All-Conference selections in 2022 or 2023. Bethel graduate safety Nate Farm and Gustavus senior linebacker Carson DeKam became the 12th and 13th players in recorded MIAC history to earn four All-Conference honors in football. Eleven more players – Bethel wide receivers Joey Kidder and Micah Niewald, linebacker Jacob Holmen, and defensive back Devin Williams; Concordia defensive lineman Collin Thompson and kicker/punter Damien Silus; Gustavus defensive lineman Javier Gratacos; Saint John’s quarterback Aaron Syverson, linebacker Cooper Yaggie, and kicker Conor Murphy; and St. Olaf tight end Derek Hansen – received their third All-MIAC nod, a feat achieved by 135 players in recorded conference history.
All MIAC awards were nominated by and voted on by MIAC head football coaches. Any nominated player who was not selected All-Conference but still received votes from at least three coaches was named honorable mention. Only conference statistics are considered for MIAC awards.
Pos Name Institution Class Hometown | High School Previous Selections
LB Hamsa Kahin Augsburg Sr. Eden Prairie, Minn. | Edina 2023
LB Aiden McMahon Saint John’s So. Maple Grove, Minn.
LB Jaiden Musse Concordia Jr. Naples, Fla. | Lely 2023 (HM)
LB Hayden Sanders Saint John’s Sr. Brooklyn Park, Minn. | Champlin Park 2023
LB Cooper Yaggie Saint John’s Sr. Breckenridge, Minn. 2022 | 2023
DB Noah Arneson Saint John’s Jr. Independence, Minn. | Orono 2023
DB Isaac Call Bethel Sr. Kerkhoven, Minn. | Kerhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 2023
DB Stuart DeMerit Concordia Sr. Snoqualmie, Wash. | Mount Si 2023 (HM)
DB Henry Detmer Carleton Sr. River Forest, Ill. | Oak Park & River Forest 2023
DB Nate Farm Bethel Gr. Arden Hills, Minn. | Mounds View 2021 (1T) | 2022 | 2023
DB Westin Hoyt Saint John’s Fy. Forest Lake, Minn.
DB Matt Jung Bethel So. Neenah, Wis. 2023
DB Blake Simonson Saint John’s Jr. Waconia, Minn.
DB Devin Williams Bethel Jr. Fridley, Minn. 2022 | 2023
2024 MIAC Football All-Conference Special Teams
K Conor Murphy Saint John’s Sr. Sioux Falls, S.D. | O’Gorman 2022 | 2023
K/P Damien Silus Concordia Sr. Glencoe, Minn. | Glencoe-Silver Lake 2021 (1T) | 2023
P Spencer Ell Saint John’s Sr. Morristown, Minn. | Bethlehem Academy 2022
RET Matt Jung Bethel So. Neenah, Wis. --^
RET Marselio Mendez Saint John’s Sr. St. Paul, Minn. | Cretin-Derham Hall --#
^All-Conference DB in 2023
*Honorable Mention WR in 2023
2024 MIAC Football Honorable Mention
QB Jack Curtis Carleton Jr. Charlotte, N.C. | Ardrey Kell
QB Theo Doran St. Olaf Sr. Minneapolis, Minn. | Holy Angels
RB Will Blakey Saint John’s So. St. Paul, Minn. | Central
RB Gus Gartzke St. Olaf Jr. Mankato, Minn. | East
WR Jake Breitbach Gustavus Sr. Golden Valley, Minn. | Armstrong 2021 (2T) | 2022 (AC) | 2023 (AC)
WR Evan Hammonds St. Olaf Sr. Brooklyn Park, Minn. | Champlin Park 2023 (HM)
WR Caden Kleinschmidt Gustavus Jr. Morgan, Minn. | Cedar Mountain
WR Owen Miller Concordia Sr. Aitkin, Minn. 2022 (HM) | 2023 (HM)
WR Ricky Weber St. Scholastica Sr. Roseville, Minn. 2023 (HM)
OL Michael Harris Augsburg Sr. St. Paul, Minn. | Tartan 2023 (HM)
OL Roman Janes Bethel So. Arden Hills, Minn. | Mounds View --
OL Davis Pickett Hamline Jr. Clinton, Utah | Clearfield 2023 (HM)
OL Angel Reyes Concordia So. Darwin, Minn. | Dassel-Cokato --
OL Patrick Shobe Carleton Fy. Monticello, Minn.
DL Kevin Xiong Carleton Sr. Lexington, Mass.
DL Joe Akoh Saint John’s Sr. Hugo, Minn. | Cretin-Derham Hall 2023 (AC)
DL Max Menache Macalester Sr. Beverly Hills, Calif.
DL Luke Sugalski Carleton Jr. Minnetonka, Minn. | The Blake School
LB William Hawkins Gustavus Sr. New Orleans, La. | Jesuit 2022 (AC)
LB Carter Johnson Bethel Sr. Redwood Falls, Minn. | Redwood Valley
LB Jack Klug Gustavus Sr. Maple Lake, Minn.
LB PJ Parmelee Concordia Sr. Tea, S.D. 023 (AC)
LB Tate Sauerwein St. Olaf Sr. Holcombe, Wis. | Lake Holcombe 2022 (HM)
DB Deonta Thomas St. Olaf Sr. Minneapolis, Minn. | Minnehaha Academy 2023 (AC)
K Marcus Merkelbach Carleton Jr. Seattle, Wash. | Garfield 2023 (AC)
P Owen Forsythe Gustavus Jr. Shakopee, Minn.
RET Eric Cockhill Concordia Jr. Helena, Mont. | Capital
RET Brian Maddox Macalester So. Alexandria, Va. | Georgetown Prep. School --
completions (213), attempts (286), completion percentage (.745), passing yards (2,953/369.1 ypg.), passing touchdowns (36) and pass-efficiency rating (199.95). He set MIAC records (conference games only) for passing yards per game (369.1), 300-yard passing games (7), consecutive 300-yard passing games (6) and 400yard passing games (3). Syverson broke the MIAC’s single-season record with 37 passing touchdowns in 2023.
No. 3
SJU (11-0, 8-0 MIAC) hosts No. 6 Susquehanna of Pennsylvania (101, 6-0 Landmark) in the third round of the NCAA Division III playoffs at noon this
Saturday, Dec. 7, in Clemens Stadium. The AFCA’s Division III All-America Selection Committee is made up of head coaches representing each conference from each of the AFCA’s seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the team is chosen.
C.J. Ham nominated for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award
by LINDSEY YOUNG vikings.com
Each year, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. Initially launched in 1970, the award was renamed in 1999 after late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community. For the Vikings this year, fullback C.J. Ham has been voted by his teammates as Minnesota’s selection.
All 32 nominees will receive a donation for charity. The winner will be announced at “NFL Honors” on Feb. 6, 2025. Fans can vote for Ham in the annual Charity Challenge by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with his last name on X or directly at NFL.com/ ManOfTheYear. The player with the most votes will receive an additional $35,000 for charity.
Carllisha simply couldn’t muster the holiday spirit.
After an extremely trying 2021 (on top of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic) that included diagnoses of PTSD, depression and OCD, the single mother of six children felt the weight of the world on her shoulders.
“December came, and I really couldn’t handle the holidays,” Carllisha recently told Vikings.com. “And then I got the phone call.”
Truth be told, Carllisha first assumed the call was a prank. Someone making a video for YouTube or something, she says, laughing about it now.
She was told she’d been selected to receive a special Christmas experience from Vikings fullback C.J. Ham and his family. Remaining skeptical, she wondered if anything would come of it. But she heard shortly thereafter from Southside Girls & Boys Club Branch Director Mark Graves.
“He told us, ‘This is the date, this is the time, you’ll get picked up – just be ready,’” Carllisha recalled. “I was so emotional. I was like, ‘They’re giving to us? They don’t even know us! What can we give to them in return?’”
Carllisha and her three youngest children got to work making custom T-shirts. On the front they read, WE APPRECIATE YOU in purple lettering. On
the back, C.J.’s jersey No. 30.
December 21 came around, and a limousine picked the family up from their home and transported them to the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, where they were immediately greeted by Santa Claus himself.
“I was just like, ‘Wow.’ This is truly amazing! I mean, Santa Claus didn’t have to be there,’” Carllisha said, smiling.
She’ll forever remember the smiling faces of Stephanie Ham, the Hams’ daughters Skylar and Stella and son Trip. Due to a last-minute change in NFL regulations around an uptick in COVID-19 cases, C.J. was unable to attend in person but joined the interactions via FaceTime call.
Carllisha and the children were ushered into the hotel, where they found a towering, sparkling Christmas tree, cozy fireplace and holiday dinner spread. Then, the mountain of gifts individually wrapped and labeled for each member of the family.
“I was whispering, ‘Are you sure this is for us? Are you sure you’ve got the right family?’” Carllisha said.
In preparation for the evening, Mark had asked her to create a personal wish list as well as one for each of the children, ranging in ages from 2 to 15. She put two items on each list – in most cases, new socks and a pair of pants.
“They asked me, ‘Are you sure?’ And I told them, ‘Yeah, it’s good.’ But they said, ‘Well, just put down a few more things they’d like,’” Carllisha noted. “I couldn’t believe it. The gifts – I’m talking about iPads, toys, everything they wanted. Bikes. My kids even got bikes.”
She paused for a moment before adding, emotion cracking her voice,
“It was probably the first time we’d ever felt such unconditional love. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”
Life lessons
It just comes naturally for C.J. Ham, the 2024 Vikings Community Man of the Year and team nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
It’s how he was raised.
Born in Chicago but relocating with his family to Duluth, Minn., at a young age, C.J.’s childhood memories are filled with house guests moving in and out over the years.
“My mom and dad were the first ones to take in anyone,” he laughed. “The majority of our family from the Chicago area moved to Minnesota at some point in their lives, and I can’t tell you how many times I had aunts, uncles and cousins living in my home growing up.
“That was my parents’ mindset: be the people who will take in anyone who needs help,” C.J. added.
Cortez Ham, Sr., and his wife Tina both worked multiple jobs to ensure a comfortable and secure upbringing for C.J. and his older sister Markeeta. Because Cortez and Tina often put in long hours, C.J. spent many mornings eating breakfast at the local Boys & Girls Club, then would return there after school until his parents clocked out.
He’s forever thankful for the guidance of his parents, as well as then-club director Tim Stratioti, who mentored C.J. especially during a handful of challenging middle school years.
“I was a super passionate kid, super competitive. Some would say I kind of had a short temper,” C.J. said. “So, I found myself getting into a little bit of trouble sometimes, you know, over a basketball game or something like that. Tim would always bring me into his office and have these real conversations with me … letting me express myself but also giving me wisdom. That’s something I will never take for granted.”
C.J.’s taken the lessons from Stratioti, as well as the guidance and examples from his parents, throughout his life. It’s something Steph noticed early on during their time attending Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D.
“C.J. was always the guy to hold the door open – and then keep it open for all 12 people coming through,” she laughed. “Or we’d walk out of the grocery store, and he was always quick to jog over and help someone put their groceries in their trunk if they needed it.
“When we were in college, we’d always go to one of our family’s homes for Thanksgiving,” Steph continued. “The Hams didn’t have a ton of money, but Tina would cook from, like, 5 a.m. the day before until 2 or 3 in the afternoon. We’d be there all day, and people would come in with four or five kids, take a plate, sit and eat and then leave. I think a part of C.J.’s servant heart definitely stems from Tina.”
It’s a no-brainer’
Some have asked C.J. and Steph
why they don’t have a foundation of their own.
Maybe they will, someday. But for now, they’ve chosen to keep their options – and hearts – open for whatever and wherever they’re needed.
C.J. has focused heavily on the Boys & Girls Clubs since joining the Vikings, but he’s also added causes deeply important to him along the way.
When Tina was diagnosed in early 2020 with pancreatic cancer, C.J. increased his involvement with the American Cancer Society and sought ways he could impact families facing similar difficult challenges. When Tina passed away in 2021 after a valiant fight, living months past doctors’ initial projections, C.J. and Steph started Pamper Her Purple, an annual event focused entirely on women who have battled or are currently battling cancer.
“You guys may be fans of the Vikings, but I am truly fans of you – and everything you all have done,” Ham told this year’s guests after treating them to a full day of spa treatments at Omni Viking Lakes Hotel.
During the time C.J. witnessed Tina’s fight, he also saw countless suffer the effects of a global pandemic. He watched a nation devastated by not only illness and financial hardship but then racially driven violence and increased unrest, Minneapolis becoming an epicenter of social justice turmoil following the murder of George Floyd.
Again, C.J. responded.
“How tragic it was for the whole world, but especially for George Floyd’s family and the Minnesota community,” he reflected now. “We were hurt. I was hurt. My wife was hurt. And we just kept thinking, ‘What can we do?’”
It was through those questions the Ham Family Scholarship Fund was born.
For years, C.J. has hosted a youth football camp in his hometown and donated proceeds of the camp to a charity of his family’s choosing. In the wake of Floyd’s death, he and Steph decided to dedicate all future camp profits to academic scholarships for Duluth students of color.
“In a hurting world, in a hurting season of our life, that was something we could cling onto, to try to make an impact for anyone else who was [experiencing similar hurt],” C.J. said. “And we wanted to truly give back to the community that pours so much into me.
“I was able to receive an [academic] scholarship myself from the Boys & Girls Clubs when I was growing up, and that was tremendous support for all four years [of college],” he continued. “So to have the opportunity to be able to do that for students who look like me, who may experience some of the same things that
– C.J. Ham –continued on page 17
C.J. Ham –continued from page 16
I experienced growing up, it was a complete no-brainer.”
Just who he is
Perhaps that’s what makes C.J.’s generosity of time, energy and finances so impactful: he doesn’t hesitate.
Anyone who’s spent time around the Vikings fullback will have likely heard the saying once or twice, “We’re blessed to be a blessing.”
“That’s something my folks taught me a long time ago,” C.J. said. “We’re blessed to be a blessing – no matter what. If I wasn’t playing football, I would still have that same mindset. Even back in college, going to volunteer at the Boys & Girls Clubs, taking time to talk to kids with special needs … that’s always been my M.O.
“But I’m blessed to be able to play football and have the resources – and the platform – to be able to do things in an even bigger way,” he added.
C.J. is thankful to his parents not only for demonstrating lessons of giving but also for introducing him to the Christian faith he holds so deeply now.
“At the end of the day, our faith is what really can get us through. You can try to lean on other things, but it doesn’t work. It’s just superficial. It falls apart quickly,” he said. “You find yourself in these dark places sometimes, but having a faith to know that things happen, everything happens for a reason, and that God has a plan … that gives hope.
“I try to resemble Jesus,” he added simply, pointing to that faith as his greatest motivator. “My mom’s love was the closest that I had to Jesus’ love. And I don’t think I can love in quite the same way Mom did … but I’m sure going to try.”
For nine seasons, C.J. has done exactly that.
He’s loved on community members at the Boys & Girls Clubs, through his scholarships and through multiple efforts alongside the American Cancer Society. He’s volunteered his time to contribute to faith-based entities, including leading a small group of high school men at his church during the offseason. He’s led the running backs in a “reverse trick-ortreat” event at Children’s Minnesota the past two years, and he’s donated “grief bags” – containing a stuffed animal and age-appropriate book about grief – to a Twin Cities elementary school for students experiencing a significant loss.
C.J. Ham’s value to the Vikings organization isn’t measured in just the stat column. The Minnesota native has a strong presence in the communuity.
C.J. has spoken to multiple youth football teams and last spring hosted the 2024 UNRL Celebrity Softball Game, benefiting the Thielen Foundation and the Ham Family Scholarship Fund.
He’s honored U.S. Armed Forces veterans and twice joined Minneapolis high school students on the “Project Success” trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the National Museum of African American History and Culture. C.J. is a regular participant in the Vikings “Community Tuesday” give-back efforts, from hanging drywall with Habitat for Humanity to helping outfit youngsters for new sneakers with Tradehome Shoes.
When running back Aaron Jones, Sr., signed with the Vikings this spring, he’d been familiar with Ham after overlapping in the NFC North division for years but hadn’t truly gotten to know him.
“As soon as I got here, coaches were like, ‘Hey, you’re gonna have C.J. Ham in your room; he’s a great human being. That’s the first thing they said,” Jones said.
Playing behind a successful fullback like C.J. always will be appreciated by Jones. But he noted it’s his off-field friendship with the team captain he’s most grateful for.
“Just watching him, how he operates on a daily basis, how he treats other people, how he truly cares for everybody,” Jones said. “He’s always welcoming people: ‘Hey, do you want to try this restaurant? Do you want to come to Bible study?’ He’s always extending the invite and open with everybody.
“He’s an exceptional human. I love how involved he is with everything. He got me involved into the social justice community here in Minnesota, things like that, that have helped me become
more well-rounded myself, have a better understanding of the community,” Jones continued. “Anytime there’s an opportunity to give back, I always see C.J.’s name up there. That’s just who he is. Everything is bigger than him. It’s never about him; it’s about everybody else, how can he impact them?”
Jones couldn’t be happier for his teammate to be Minnesota’s nominee for the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
The same can be said for Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, who asked the team to vote (anonymously) for this year’s selection. Just as he wasn’t surprised when C.J. was voted a team captain, O’Connell also wasn’t surprised when he received the highest number of votes for Man of the Year.
“C.J. is one of my all-time favorite players I’ve been around,” O’Connell said. “The way he works every single day, the way he is a true captain from a standpoint of everything you want as a head coach to know that your players are cared for. … He never leaves a man behind, and he always has every guy’s best interest at heart with every step he takes in this building.
“He truly is Minnesota’s favorite, and rightly so – and he doesn’t take that for granted, either. He loves the Twin Cities,” O’Connell added. “Him having such a dynamic impact on our community, and his kids and his family being right there with him. I think they’re great representatives of what we want our organization be as a whole. I think that’s why it’s perfect that he’s our nominee.”
‘They made us feel like home’
In most areas of life, C.J. is all about intentionality and showing up.
Earlier this season, the Vikings re-
turned from a physical game at Lambeau Field just in time for C.J. to jump into his SUV and drive straight to Bloomington for Skylar’s gymnastics meet.
“He’s an amazing dad. He’s always present,” Steph said. “He’s so hands-on and so inclusive, and the kids just look up to him. To them, he’s just dad. They love him.
“He’s obviously the favorite parent of the household,” she quipped with a grin. “He’s the fun one.”
C.J.’s emphasis on relationships is exactly why he and Steph decided several years ago to annually focus their holiday efforts on one family in need.
“We wanted to truly pour into them, invest in them,” he explained. “You know, it’s great to host Christmas events and broader things, but Steph and I thought it was the right time to home in on one family and check off everything from their Christmas list, just make it a really intimate experience with them.
“See them on a 1-on-1 level,” he added. “Sit with them, break bread with them and just really get to know them.”
Three years after being surprised by the Hams for the holidays, Carllisha and her children – who recently reconnected with the Hams at the Boys & Girls Club – continue to feel blessed by the experience.
They of course are thankful for the clothing, tablets and toys they received that December. But Carllisha emphasized it goes so much beyond that.
“It was genuine. We didn’t feel like a family who didn’t have anything, and these people picked us because they had it all,” she said. “They made us feel like family. They made us feel like home.
“We felt like we were with our family and just took a getaway out of town,” Carllisha continued. “That was big for me. They didn’t have to bring Santa Claus. They didn’t have to wrap the gifts … A lot of places will just say, ‘Come pick up the toys,’ and then we wrap them ourselves. These gifts were wrapped. These gifts had my kids’ names on them. The Ham family actually cared for us.”
Carllisha noted that for a few hours, her anxiety and OCD tendencies dissipated, and she felt truly comfortable away from home for the first time in months.
“It took my worries away. And I don’t even mean just the material things. It was the energy in the room,” she said. “My family was so happy. The material things were a plus. But I want C.J. to know it was bigger than that. He didn’t have to do any of it. But when C.J. gives, it’s really from his heart and soul.”
Vikings Players and Coaches unbox shoes for My Cause My Cleats
EAGAN, Minn. – When Minnesota hosted the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday, the Vikings were using their feet to promote causes close to their hearts.
In honor of the NFL’s annual My Cause My Cleats initiative, players donned custom-painted kicks that recently were unveiled to the athletes. The
footwear’s individual designs will represent causes that players selected to raise awareness and support for. Vikings coaches and football staff members also are participating in the initiative.
Among the organizations represented this season are some of the players’ personal foundations or charities, Har-
rison’s Playmakers, founded by Harrison Phillips largely to support young people with cognitive differences; Brian Asamoah II’s Be Authentic Foundation, which focuses on young athletes in Accra, Ghana; and the Bynum Faith Foundation, a nonprofit started by Camryn Bynum and his family to provide aid and holistic relief to underprivileged
communities across the U.S. and the Philippines.
Other players and individuals are again shining light on organizations close to their heart, which are listed at https://www.vikings.com/news/mycause-my-cleats-represent-nonprofits-2024
NSIC Football
Mavericks win nail-biter against Beavers to advance to NCAA Semifinals
MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State staged another rally in the fourth quarter Saturday to defeat Bemidji State 27-23 in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
With the win, MSU improves to 11-3 on the season. With the loss, BSU finishes its season with a 10-4 record. Minnesota State will now travel to Valdosta, Ga., to take on Valdosta State in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CT) and will be aired on ESPN+.
This marks the fifth time in team history that the Mavericks have advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament with the previous times coming in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2019. This is also the third time in team history that the Mavericks have won three playoff games in the same season, with the previous two instances coming during the 2014 and 2019 seasons.
The lone score of the first quarter came on Bemidji State’s opening drive as the Beavers drove all the way down to the MSU 20 before setting up for a 44yard field goal. Connor Mantelli’s kick split the uprights to put BSU up 3-0 with 6:22 to go in the quarter.
The second quarter saw both teams reach the endzone twice as BSU carried a 17-14 lead into halftime. BSU scored the first touchdown of the game with 6:28 to go in the second quarter as Sam McGath connected with Drayton Lehman on a 10-yard touchdown pass, before MSU responded just over three minutes later with a six-yard touchdown run from freshman Sam Backer.
A 46-yard kick return by Lehman set up the Beavers on the MSU 41. Five plays later, Connor Carver forced his way into the endzone from 10 yards out
to put BSU up 17-7 with 1:03 to go in the half. Starting on their own 32, the Mavericks proceeded to march down the field via a pair of passes from senior Hayden Ekern to senior Grant Guyett, including a 39-yard pass that set MSU up on the BSU 12. On third down, Ekern was able to rush his way into the endzone from 12 yards out to cut BSU’s lead to 17-14 as the teams went into the locker room.
After both teams failed to score on their opening drives in the third quarter, Bemidji State took over on its own two yard line with 10:52 to go in the quarter. A pair of runs and a pass moved BSU up to its own 23, before Carver rushed to the left and raced 77 yards down the field for the touchdown. BSU’s extra point attempt was blocked as the Beavers led 23-14.
Starting on their own 15, the Mavericks went 85 yards down field to collect their second touchdown of the game to cut BSU’s lead to 23-21. MSU did most of its damage on the ground as it worked its way up to the BSU eight yard line, before Ekern connected with junior TreShawn Watson on the eight-yard touchdown pass. With the touchdown pass, Ekern is now tied with Ben King for the all-time lead in career touchdown passes at Minnesota State with 72.
BSU’s next drive continued on into the fourth quarter as the Beavers marched 72 yards down to the MSU three yard line. With the third and three BSU elected to have Carver rush up the middle, but on the carry the Mavericks forced a fumble that was picked up MSU senior Lorenzo Jones who then returned it 81 yards down field to the BSU
16 with 12:39 to go.
Five plays later Ekern recorded his second touchdown carry of the game, this time from one yard out, to put MSU in front for the first time at 27-23. MSU’s two-point conversion try failed as the Mavericks led by four with 11:07 to go.
The Beavers managed one first down on their next drive before they were forced to punt the ball away. With 7:33 to go, MSU’s following drive consisted of 12 plays that went 43 yards over the next 6:33. After forcing BSU to use its remaining timeouts, MSU attempted to win the game on a fourth and two at the BSU 36, but the Beavers were able to stop the Mavericks on the BSU 37 to take over on downs with 1:00 to go.
The Beavers managed to get all the way down to the MSU four yard line but the Maverick defense held firm as seniors Cody Brown and Micah Brown each broke up passes, with Micah’s coming on fourth down, to end BSU’s comeback bid as the Mavericks held on to the 27-23 win.
Ekern finished his day with 135 passing yards and a touchdown. Watson finished with 69 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Guyett notched 59 receiving yards.
As a unit, MSU rushed for 237 yards, with 96 of those coming from senior Christian Vasser. Backer added 79 rushing yards, while Ekern posted 62. Sophomore Jamal Spiyee and senior Antonio Alzheimer each recorded five tackles. With his five tackles, Alzheimer became the first Mavericks to reach 100 tackles in a season since Tyler Henderson did so back in 2014.
Three Mavericks claim D2CCA All-Super Region Four Honors
GOLDEN, Colo. – Three Minnesota State football seniors Marshall Foerner, Antonio Alzheimer and Khai West have earned D2CAA All-Super Region Four accolades for their efforts on the field this season.
Foerner was named to the D2CCA All-Super Region Four First Team on offense, while Alzheimer and West were named to the D2CCA All-Super Region Four First Team on defense.
An offensive lineman from Plano, Ill., Marshall Foerner has played and started in 11 games for the Mavericks on the offensive line this season. As a unit, the MSU offensive line has helped the Mavericks rush for 2,178 yards and 27 touchdowns this season, while allowing just 16 sacks. Foerner has been named to the All-NSIC First Team three times and was named to the D2CCA All-Super Region Four Second Team last season.
A linebacker from Des Moines, Iowa, Antonio Alzheimer has played in 13 games for the Mavericks this season, including 12 starts. He leads the team in tackles with 97 and has record 5.5 tackles for a loss. Against Sioux Falls he recorded a season-high 11 tackles. Alzheimer was named to the All-NSIC First Team earlier this season.
A defensive back from St. Paul.,
Minn., Khai West has played and started in all 13 games for the Mavericks this season. He ranks second on the team in tackles with 67 and has recorded two in-
terceptions. Against CSU Pueblo in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, West record eight solo tackles. West has been named to the All-NSIC First Team
twice and was named to the D2CCA All-Super Region Four First Team last season.
Minnesota State senior Lorenzo Jones picked up a fumble and returned it 81 yards down field to the Bemidji State 16 with 12:39 to go in the fourth quarter. MSU went on to win the game 27-23.
