The last team to repeat as big-school state football champion was Eden Prairie during its run of four straight state titles from 2011 to 2014.
Before that? Eden Prairie won back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007.
Before that? Eden Prairie again in 1996 and 1997.
Teams not named Eden Prairie in the state’s largest class just don’t repeat as champions (well, Rochester John Marshall turned the trick in 1973 and 1974). Which brings us to Lakeville North.
The defending Class 6A champs have a “No apologies” mantra and several standout athletes returning from last season, including all-state and Star Tribune all-metro utility knife (running back/receiver/cornerback) Raja Nelson. But most of the key cogs in both the offensive and defensive lines have graduated.
Lakeville North doesn’t get to ease into its repeat bid. Not with Class 6A state tournament quarterfinalist Woodbury looming as its Week 1 opponent in our Top Game of the Week.
The Royals, who went 7-1 in the 2018 regular season, including a 5-1 run through the Metro East Subdistrict, return senior quarterback Jake Wenzel to run an offense that scored at least 20 points in all but one of its victories.