Howie Johnson, Forest Lake’s superbly physical junior defensive lineman, stood at about the 20-yard line at one end of the Rangers’ home football field, beaming at the throng around him.

Sweat dripped from his strawberry blonde crewcut, a permasmile plastered across his face.

A rough and rugged 6-4, 260-pound, nearly unblockable beast in the middle of the Forest Lake defense, Johnson has committed to take his myriad skills to the Gophers upon graduation.

But that’s still two years away. For now, Johnson’s gridiron satisfaction comes from being the biggest, baddest dude on the field in high school.

He was exactly that Friday, leading a punishing Forest Lake defense that stonewalled Class 6A No. 5 Eagan all night, winning a 7-0 decision that didn’t earn any points for style but was a thing of beauty to Johnson and his teammates.

For more on Johnson and the Rangers' victory, click here to read this story startribune.com.

For more on Johnson and the Rangers' victory, click here to read this story startribune.com.

Click here for more MN high school football scores and results from Oct. 11, 2024.