Page 18 Fall Football Preview • Thursday, August 28, 2025 sailor. mnsun. com
WAYZATA TROJANS
Playmakers ready to make a statement
JOHN SHERMAN john. sherman @ apgecm. com
Everywhere he looked during the first week of practice at Wayzata High Stadium, the Trojans’ head football coach, Lambert Brown, saw playmakers.
The most noticeable athletes included senior quarterback Matthew Berkland, senior wide receiver Sam Booh and junior defensive end Eli Diane.
A few words about Wayzata’ s QB1. Berkland plays three sports – football, basketball and baseball. He went to state in baseball as a sophomore and played well in a reserve role for Wayzata’ s state-champion basketball team last winter. His football stats were very impressive last fall, even though he shared the quarterback position with 2025 graduate Oscar Shoap. Berkland finished the season with 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns with a completion rate of 61.1 percent – 58 of 95. Berkland also had a rushing touchdown.
The senior quarterback cited dedication as one of Wayzata’ s main traits. To get extra time on the Wayzata High Stadium turn this summer, some of the playmakers hopped the fence and got some reps in before sunset.
“ We have been playing football together for a long time,” Berkland said.“ We all get along and when we’ re not on the same page, we fix it fast.”
Booh also looked good on the stat sheet. He led the Trojans in air yards gained with 453 and scored five touchdowns. The most telling stat
( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN)
Some of the key playmakers for the Wayzata High football team are, from left to right: Sam Booh, Jaxon Brown, Chase Low, John Evans and Matthew Berkland.
was his 25.2 yards per reception. Booh had only three rushing attempts last year, but made the most of them by racking up 33 yards. He added four kick-off returns for 54 yards.
Diane, who stands 6-5 and weighs in at 230, caught the University of Minnesota’ s eye and the Gophers are prepared to give him a full ride. He specialty is rushing the passer, but he also knows how to stop running backs who try his side.
Players on the Wayzata squad have high goals for the 2025 season.
“ We want to win the state title, and do it the right way, one day at a time,” Booh said.“ We want to improve as individuals and as a team.”
“ I hope we have a lot of fun together and cherish every moment of the season,” senior wide receiver John Evans said. Evans had 18 receptions last season and is counted on for more in 2025 now that last year’ s leading pass catcher, Tony Ley, has graduated.
Another receiver eager for more action is junior slot back Jaxon Brown, who had 210 reception yards and 20 rushing yards last season. Brown had one rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns. At 5-8 and 155 pounds, he is one of the fastest players on the squad.
“ I like our offense,” Brown said.“ We have a lot of weapons.”
Returning senior letter winner Chase Low is looking to a new role on defense this fall.“ I have moved from safety to outside linebacker,” he said.“ Our defense has a blue-collar mentality, and we’ re going to fire to the ball.”
Senior Will Eisinger returns at middle linebacker and will help keep the Trojan defense organized.
Low said,“ One of our goals is to force three turnovers a game.”
“ We want to lead the state in takeaways,” Brown added. When he’ s not playing wide receiver, Brown plans to stay on the field at safety.
Everyone on the Wayzata squad has one date circled on the schedule. That is the date of the game with Minnetonka
See WAYZATA | PAGE 26
QUICK HITS
Head Coach
Lambert Brown Eighth Season
Last Year’ s Record: 4-5
Key Returning Players
Success in high school football usually begins with the quarterback, and Wayzata has a good one in 6-foot senior Matthew Berkland, who threw for 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns last fall. The Trojans doubled their season win total in 2024, going from two to four.
One reason for the improvement was the pass receiving of Sam Booh, who made 18 catches for 453 yards. He scored five touchdowns – one on the ground and four through the air.
Wayzata’ s best athlete and No. 1 college prospect is junior defensive end Eli Diane. He caused problems for every one of Wayzata’ s opponents last season.
Will Eisinger and Chase Low are two experienced linebackers in the Trojans’ defensive scheme.
Schedule
Aug. 28: Andover Sept. 5: At Edina Sept. 12: St. Michael-Albertville Sept. 19: At Moorhead, 6 p. m. Sept. 26: At Park of Cottage Grove Oct. 3: Minnetonka Oct. 10: Maple Grove Oct. 15: At Eden Prairie
Game times 7 p. m. unless otherwise noted