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A warm (and windy) Friday night was the perfect occasion for high school football. And just in case you missed out on any big plays, we've got them for you in the videos below, as well as a profile on Nick Leach, our ASPIRE athlete of the week.
There is no better time for a high school football fan than between late September and early October. It's when the conference favorites emerge and when all the hard work in offseason starts to show.
Surgeons had to remove part of Luke Nelson's skull earlier this month to ease swelling on his brain. The 16-year-old linebacker for Dassel-Cokato was hurt during a tackle, but stayed in the game until he collapsed.
As hard as it is to believe, we are now at the midway point of the season. It's that time of the year where a team's identity is established, it's a matter of executing the game plan and knowing what the team across from you will do.
If you weren't able to attend some of the last high school football games of summer, we've got you covered. Below you will find our featured game as well as highlights from many others.
Record-setting volleyball star Emma Hughes of New Prague is the Sept. 20 Aspire Athlete of the Week. She loves the game – and has since she first started. "It started in sixth grade when I tried out for JO volleyball," she said. "I was the youngest and I got put on a higher team. I loved it from the beginning."
Down at Mankato West, they have a reputation for good football teams and good quarterbacks. Signal caller Ryan Schlichte is filling some big shoes that were left behind. However, he should be a good QB, given his family tree.
There's always that one week in the football season that means a little more than all the rest. You've put in the practice time, you've been in the weight room and you've watched the film. It's time to go out under the lights and get that big victory.
It's Week 4 of the high school football season and every game is magnified as we get closer to the end of the regular season. It will also finally start to feel like fall football weather with temperatures in the 60s by the end of the week.
It was a big weekend for high school football in the Twin Cities as there were a ton of big match-ups on area football fields. This is that time of the season where the team leaders start to emerge, and they do so by putting up gaudy numbers on a nightly basis.
WCCO is teaming with Aspire Sports Drinks to honor an Athlete of the Week. This week, travel to take you to Benilde St. Margaret's, home of an athletic quarterback named Keaton Studsrud. "He's got a lot of football smarts, doesn't make a lot of mistakes and we put a lot on him -- a lot of reads he has to make," coach Jon Hanks said.
If you weren't able to spectate any of the great high school football games across the metro, we've got you covered.
We're now two games in for every team, and for some teams it's three games. By now, most teams have a sense of what they can do and what their identity is. Now it's just a matter of implementing that every week against the opponent.
It's a Minnesota first -- two metro high school football teams will play in front of the nation tomorrow night. The local football scene is in the spotlight because of Jashon Cornell, the Cretin-Derham Hall defensive end is ranked as the No. 1 2015 recruit in the country, according to ESPN.
ASPIRE Beverage Company recognizes the top-performing high school athletes in Minnesota with selection criteria that honors "greatness" demonstrated by high school seniors in four areas: athletics, academics, community involvement and character. The ASPIRE Athlete of the Week program will run throughout the entire school year.
Anthony Edwards scored 31 points, Donte DiVincenzo added 18 and the surging Minnesota Timberwolves beat Los Angeles Clippers 94-88 on Thursday night.
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis was scratched from the team's exhibition game lineup as a precaution because of tightness in his right side.
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was fined $25,000 by the NBA for what the league described as "throwing the game ball with force into the spectator stands.".
Eleven-year-old Mickey Watkins is no longer just the kid known for his make-shift snowboard.
The Dallas Stars surged into the Olympic break on a six-game winning streak. The Minnesota Wild won their last five games to finish 8-1-1 before the NHL 's three-week schedule pause.
Elliot Cadeau had 15 points and L.J. Cason scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half as No. 3 Michigan beat Minnesota 77-67 on Tuesday night to clinch at least a share of the Big Ten title for the first time in five years.
Anthony Edwards scored 34 points and made five 3-pointers to help the Minnesota Timberwolves hold off the Portland Trail Blazers 124-121, their fourth win in their last five games.
Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul will be home to Minnesota's first Major League Volleyball team, sharing the space with the Wild and Frost during their seasons. Pedro Mendes and CC McGraw will be the two leading the new era of pro volleyball in the state. Both have a strong love for Minnesota already in their DNA.
American skier Lindsey Vonn, who crashed seconds into her downhill race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, said she is finally out of the hospital as she recovers.
A confrontation between several armed men and a man with a Louis Vuitton bag inside a Minneapolis apartment building resulted in a fatal shooting on Tuesday night, according to a criminal complaint.
On Friday, hundreds of leaders from Minnesota food banks and food shelves came together in Brooklyn Center. Their goal is to find the best ways to help hungry families in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge, and while food prices remain high.
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District said there were 47 human cases of West Nile in the Twin Cities last year, much greater than the previous high of 28.
Target will stop selling its entire assortment of cereal with certified synthetic colors by the end of May.
Minnesota's state budget has improved in the few months since the last estimate from top officials, but there are still some warning signs in the future.
Two women and a stroller carrying an infant were hit by a truck while in a crosswalk in Rochester, Minnesota, on Thursday afternoon, according to police.
Minnesota's state budget has improved in the few months since the last estimate from top officials, but there are still some warning signs in the future.
A State Patrol K-9 and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension assisted the trooper in recovering nine packages containing approximately 50,000 fentanyl pills.
A northern Minnesota woman has been convicted on five federal counts of first-degree murder and one count of arson after authorities say she stabbed one of her children before setting her house on fire with another inside.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz laid out his anti-fraud legislative package on Thursday, one day after the White House paused $259 million in federal Medicaid payments to the state until a comprehensive action plan is laid out to fight fraud.
A fire at a hotel in Superior, Wisconsin, Monday night left one person hurt and forced guests to move to new lodgings.
Excitement is in the air in northern Wisconsin with the 52nd annual American Birkebeiner underway.
The longest-serving Assembly speaker in Wisconsin history, who acted as a block on the battleground state's Democratic governor and also drew the ire of President Donald Trump, isn't running again.
Wisconsin Republicans who long blocked a bipartisan measure to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage plan to pass the measure following pressure from Democrats.
Three people are dead after a house fire in a small western Wisconsin town early Saturday.
People from across the nation are traveling to the Twin Cities, but not as tourists. Many want to learn in person from Minnesota protestors to bring that knowledge back to their own cities.
The Edina wife and mother of three said she felt called to go and protest in south Minneapolis after learning that Alex Pretti had been shot and killed by two Border Patrol agents.
Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 people gathered on the Highway 62 bridge between Minneapolis and Richfield after a small protest sparked a confrontation there last week.
Karmel Mall has been mostly silent, with shops closed at the building on East Lake Street. Operation Metro Surge has caused many Somalis to stay home.
The ongoing presence of ICE and federal law enforcement in the Minneapolis area has kept many immigrants at home for fear of being arrested. Now, their neighbors are crowdsourcing to cover their rent.
The criminal civil rights case has also ensnared journalist Don Lemon.
The outlook has gotten a little better since the last budget forecast, which came out three months ago.
Minnesota's state budget has improved in the few months since the last estimate from top officials, but there are still some warning signs in the future.
State budget leaders are set to release Minnesota’s latest economic forecast on Friday, setting the stage for any discussions about additional spending this year.
Interstate 394 is closing Friday night through Monday morning between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100, plus more of the day’s top stories.
On Friday, hundreds of leaders from Minnesota food banks and food shelves came together in Brooklyn Center. Their goal is to find the best ways to help hungry families in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge, and while food prices remain high.
Target will stop selling its entire assortment of cereal with certified synthetic colors by the end of May.
Consumers are urged to stop using the pressure cookers and dispose of them immediately.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key part of President Trump's economic plan late last week: tariffs. But the president fought back, slapping a 15% global tariff on imported goods.
On Friday morning, workers held a press conference to reflect on how the Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge has impacted the food industry.
A confrontation between several armed men and a man with a Louis Vuitton bag inside a Minneapolis apartment building resulted in a fatal shooting on Tuesday night, according to a criminal complaint.
The victims' sister says Eddie Duncan's family saw the warning signs and still bailed him out
A State Patrol K-9 and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension assisted the trooper in recovering nine packages containing approximately 50,000 fentanyl pills.
A northern Minnesota woman has been convicted on five federal counts of first-degree murder and one count of arson after authorities say she stabbed one of her children before setting her house on fire with another inside.
A man was arrested and charged after threatening to kill a Minnesota state senator on Facebook.
Target will stop selling its entire assortment of cereal with certified synthetic colors by the end of May.
The Minnesota Department of Health said there have been 10 reported cases in the state so far this year. There were five cases as of the last update, which came on Feb. 19.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz laid out his anti-fraud legislative package on Thursday, one day after the White House paused $259 million in federal Medicaid payments to the state until a comprehensive action plan is laid out to fight fraud.
Vice President JD Vance says the Trump administration will "temporarily halt" some Medicaid funding to the state of Minnesota over fraud concerns.
Hennepin County leaders, along with top brass from Minneapolis' Hennepin County Medical Center, opened the books in front of a panel of Minnesota senators Wednesday.
A 19th-century George Méliès film, thought to be long lost, has been found among a box of brittle movie reels that a Michigan donor brought to the Library of Congress, officials said.
Bobby J. Brown's breakout role was as a police officer on HBO's "The Wire." He appeared in 12 episodes across four seasons.
Streaming giant Netflix declined to match Paramount Skydance's $31 per share offer for Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 list of nominees, including Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Wu-Tang Clan and more.
Nick Reiner, 32, was charged with two counts of murder in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
Anthony Edwards scored 31 points, Donte DiVincenzo added 18 and the surging Minnesota Timberwolves beat Los Angeles Clippers 94-88 on Thursday night.
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis was scratched from the team's exhibition game lineup as a precaution because of tightness in his right side.
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was fined $25,000 by the NBA for what the league described as "throwing the game ball with force into the spectator stands.".
Eleven-year-old Mickey Watkins is no longer just the kid known for his make-shift snowboard.
The Dallas Stars surged into the Olympic break on a six-game winning streak. The Minnesota Wild won their last five games to finish 8-1-1 before the NHL 's three-week schedule pause.
In the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge, a bill to make it easier for someone to sue the federal government is advancing at the Minnesota Capitol.
Two major priorities are on a collision course in the Minnesota Legislature.
The GOP is promoting an aggressive anti-fraud agenda while the DFL is hammering hard on the immigration crackdown and the continuing fallout.
The political fallout of Operation Metro Surge is expected to be long lasting not just in Minnesota, but across the country.
The political fallout of Operation Metro Surge is expected to be long lasting not just in Minnesota, but across the country. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Abou Amara, a Democratic analyst, and Amy Frederiksen, a Republican analyst, about the political impact.
In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, there's a place where you can find radio and television technology that's nearly a century old — and it still works.
One of the best views in Minnesota is at the top of a Bloomington hill. But 15-year-old Jacob Larson isn't here for the scenery. He's here for the jump.
Pine trees are a common sight up north. But on a Carlton, Minnesota, road, they're joined by giant lollipops. They serve as the welcoming committee for Sweetly Kismet, one of the largest candy stores in the state.
John Lauritsen shares the story behind a massive snow sculpture that's now become a winter destination.
Northland Arboretum was built half a century ago on top of what was once a city dump. But over time, nature carved its own path with a little help from a Zamboni.
Traveling is already stressful, especially flying, but the deadly conflict south of the border might have some travelers second-guessing their upcoming trips.
Drivers beware. Cities are seeing an uptick in stolen cars this winter.
On the first day of the Minnesota Legislature, artificial intelligence is giving visitors and lawmakers at the State Capitol a new sense of security.
From the flu to the common cold, viruses keep knocking out Minnesotans this winter. A physician with Hennepin Healthcare breaks down how long an individual may be contagious after they start to feel better.
White House border czar Tom Homan, without offering further explanation, claimed the federal immigration operation in Minnesota uncovered thousands of missing children in the state, but it's likely related to a much larger number the administration has been touting for a few years.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
Friday brings us one more mild day before some weekend chill.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
We warm quickly Monday and into next week with highs in the 30s and 40s, WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso reports.
Highs return to the 40s Friday in the Twin Cities, with wind gusts up to 30 mph.
The Twin Cities will get another mild day Friday before a chilly weekend, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Adam Del Rosso.
On Friday, hundreds of leaders from Minnesota food banks and food shelves came together in Brooklyn Center.
Friday brings us one more mild day before some weekend chill.
The outlook has gotten a little better since the last budget forecast, which came out three months ago.
Tria Chef Joe Holstad and General Manager Nikki Scott share a Friday option that's a little upscaled.
The dance troupe is unveiling an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," explain Artistic Director Kim Martinez and Assistant Choreographer Karissa Gibson.