The state football playoffs are upon us.
The 2026 seasons for all Minneapolis City and St. Paul City conference teams are over.
However, this column will focus on three teams that experienced success.
Southwest and Camden finished their seasons as co-champions in the Minneapolis City Conference while Highland Park captured the St. Paul City crown.
Both Minneapolis teams made it to the championship games in their respective sections, while the St. Paul winner reached its section semifinal.
Below is a quick summary of each team’s season with overall and conference records, outstanding players, an important victory, section results and an interesting fact.
Minneapolis Camden Patriots (8-3, 3-1 Skyway – Twin Cities-Blue City Conference), Coach Mark Heiser
LEADERS: Offense: Quarterback Traequan White, running back Datione Warren and wide receiver Jacarye Smith. Defense: Linebackers Gavin Wood and Mathew Boone, and lineman Zivad Robinson. Key Victory: A 28-20 win over defending conference champ North. Class 3A, Section 4: Lost championship to St. Croix Lutheran Academy (17-14). Interesting Fact: Robinson, a junior, has committed to Iowa State.
Minneapolis Southwest Lakers (7-3, 3-1 Skyway – Twin Cities-Blue City Conference), Coach Josh Zoucha
LEADERS: Offense: Quarterback Kevin Neimasz, running back Michael Spear and receiver Lincoln Ribnick. Defense: Linebackers Beckett Lenthe, Aidan Lenthe and Henry Walker, and defensive backs Owen Boarman and Maddox Stukel. Key Victory: A 31-6 win over co-conference champ Camden. Class 5A, Section 5: Lost championship to Bloomington Jefferson (42-19). Interesting Fact: It is the Lakers’ first conference title since 2010.
St. Paul Highland Park Scots (6-4, 4-0 Skyway – Twin Cities-Red City Conference), Coach David Zeitchick
LEADERS: Offense: Quarterback Leo Clifford and running backs Eric Reed and Brandon Jackson. Defense: Lineman Kellen Simring and defensive backs Javari Brown and William Walter. Key Victory: A 28-21 win over defending conference champ Johnson. Class 5A, Section 4: Lost semifinal to Mahtomedi (20-14). Interesting Fact: Reed was the 2025 conference Player of the Year as a quarterback.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.