Page 6 Stillwater Ponies Football Preview • Friday, August 22, 2025 stillwatergazette. com

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“ They caught us at the right time and we caught them at the wrong time,” LaBore said.“ They have a running back and the quarterback back.”

Last year was just White Bear Lake’ s fourth win against the Ponies in their last 19 meetings in what is believed to be the most-played rivalry in the state. In 107 meetings, the Ponies lead the all-time series 62-42-3.

Stillwater defeated Week 7 opponent East Ridge 24-6 a year ago when the Raptors finished with a 5-4 record.

East Ridge, which advanced to state as recently as 2023, is expected to return talented quarterback Cedric Tomes. The University of Minnesota basketball recruit rushed for 455 yards and nine touchdowns while also completing nearly 66 percent of his passes( 85-129) for 965 yards and nine touchdowns. He will miss leading receiver Kyle Frendt, who led the Metro East with 34 receptions. The Raptors are also expected to take a step back in the kicking game after graduating one of the state’ s best in Luke Ryerse.

The Ponies have won five in a row against East Ridge and lead the all-time series 8-5.

Stillwater is slated to close out the regular season by hosting Forest Lake in a game that is expected to have sub-district title implications.

Prior to last year’ s overtime loss in front of an overflow homecoming crowd at Forest Lake, the Ponies had won 11 in a row over the Rangers. None of the games during that stretch were particularly close, either, with Stillwater outscoring them by a combined 345-74.

Forest Lake has enjoyed a resurgence under fourth-year head coach Brad Beeskow, who has guided the team to a 20-10 record the past three seasons. It has been a stark contrast to a decade earlier when the Rangers were in the midst of a 41-game losing streak.

The Rangers are led by University of Minnesota recruit Howie Johnson, a four-year starter and disruptor on the line who was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player in the

Carter Zollar returns for the Ponies this fall after catcher 30 passes for 383 yards and two touchdowns a year ago.

Metro East a year ago. Johnson racked up 23 tackles for loss / sacks last season.

“ He’ s just a game-wrecker, but they’ ve also got three starters back on the defensive line,” LaBore said.

The Rangers return several of their most productive players on offense, including quarterback Connor Johnson, who threw for 865 yards and seven touchdowns while also rushing for 273 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season.

Running back Mack Jurkovich averaged 8.1 yards per carry while gaining 944 yards and five touchdowns on just 117 attempts. Kevin Ndirangu added 62 rushes for 441 yards( 7.1 avg.) and five touchdowns. The Rangers also return top receivers Jacob Rehfeld( 12 catches and 264 yards and four touchdowns) and DJ Westman( 22 receptions for 208 yards and one touchdown).

If Forest Lake has an area of concern it might be the offensive line, where graduation hit the hardest. The Rangers can also expect contributions from players who contributed for a 6-2 sophomore team that outscored its opponents by a combined 228-93 last season.

“ Like most years, we have to stay healthy,” LaBore said.“ We will be young, but our junior class is hungry. Early on, this team is bonded and going to grow tighter. The character and attitude is going to guide us.”

One welcome change for the Ponies this season is that they will be playing more Friday games.

For a few different reasons, five of the team’ s regular season games a year ago were held on Thursdays. With the exception of the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 28 and the final regular season game on Wednesday, Oct. 15, the Ponies are scheduled for traditional Friday night contests in the other six games.

“ Thursday is the night you want to play Game 1 and you want to play Wednesday of MEA, but other than that, we want Friday night lights, so that’ s nice to have,” LaBore said.

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