Page 18 Fall Football Preview • Thursday, August 27, 2026 sailor. mnsun. com
WAYZATA TROJANS
Lamker takes on new career challenge
JOHN SHERMAN john. sherman @ apgecm. com
Wayzata High has a tradition of winning state bigschool football titles, however, the program has fallen on hard times recently.
When Derrin Lamker was hired as the new head coach, optimism soared. His personality, experience and championship pedigree were impressive to Wayzata’ s search committee, and he basically checked all of the boxes. Lamker’ s previous head coaching stops at Edina High, Augsburg University and Osseo High reflect a rich background in Twin Cities football. And the fact that he won a state bigschool title at Osseo is the star on his resume.
Asked what impresses him most about Wayzata so far, Lamker said,“ The athletes, the parents and most of all, the administration. The high school strives for excellence in all sports and there is a lot of tradition here.
“ The numbers for football are not what they once were, but I see a lot of potential,” Lamker continued.“ We will make football fun at every level of the program.”
Lamker has been around high school football in the western suburbs for many years. He was an outstanding three-sport athlete at Armstrong High in football, basketball and baseball. Then as a college quarterback at Augsburg, he set school passing records.
Although Wayzata was not a factor in the Class 6A West
( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN)
Four key leaders for the Wayzata High football team are, from left to right: Thor Soukup, Eli Diane, Gavin Knaeble and Benton Nordaune.
District title race last fall, Lamker sees the the light for upward mobility in his first season.
His optimism is based on the leadership of several key skill-position players. Senior quarterback Thor Soukup is the returning starter after passing for 1,043 yards and 12 touchdowns last season with only six interceptions. Of the 162 passes the Trojans threw in 2025, Soukup had 157 attempts. His completion percentage was. 529.
“ Thor is a great person and a great teammate,” coach Lamker said.“ He makes plays with his arm and with his feet. We will be running a pro-style offense that fits Thor’ s skills. He is a big quarterback at 6-3 and 225.”
The leading receiver from last season, Jaxon Brown with 561 yards, has transferred to Shakopee for his senior year, leaving opportunities for younger pass catchers to step up.
In the rushing department, Wayzata returns 5-11, 190- pound senior Luke Boutwell, who gained 204 yards on 52 carries last season.
Senior Parker Milkes and junior Weston Moeller both had four pass receptions last season.
Wayzata has two senior returning starters in the offensive line – Gavin Knaeble at 6 feet and 260 pounds and Benton Nordaune at 6-3 and 320 pounds.
Wayzata’ s Division I recruit in the defensive line, 6-5, 275-pound senior Eli Diane, missed all of last season with an injury.
“ He is healthy now and looking really good,” coach Lamker said.
A good all-around athlete, Diane was one of the state’ s top shot putters in track as a sophomore, but an injury prevented him from throwing last spring. The University of
Minnesota offered him following his sophomore season and Diane committed to the Gophers.
Two other returning defensive starters are 6-1, 200- pound junior linebacker Dwayne Cook and 6-1, 180- pound senior defensive back Max Beeninga, the sixth man on Wayzata’ s Lake Conference-champion basketball team last winter.
“ Max was second on the football team in tackles and interceptions last year,” coach Lamker said.
The first few practices of the season impressed senior leaders on the Wayzata squad.
Quarterback Soukup said,“ This year we have a different level of focus, pace and energy with coach Lamker.“ I love the way he teaches the game.”
“ We want to beat every team we play this season,” University of Minnesota defensive line recruit Eli Diane said.“ It feels good to be out here.”
QUICK HITS
Head Coach
Derrin Lamker First Season
Last Year’ s Record: 1-8
Key Returning Players
Last season’ s defensive stoppers, Will Eisinger and Chase Low, had outstanding seasons. Eli Diane, a 6-4, 280-pound senior, returns after missing the 2025 season with an injury. He started at defensive end in his sophomore season and is anxious to get back in action.
Other key starters returning on the defensive side of the ball are senior defensive back Max Beeninga and junior linebacker Dewayne Cook. Senior quarterback Thor Soukup started full time last season and passed for 1,043 yards and 12 touchdowns. Junior Weston Moeller, a high jumper for Wayzata’ s track team, shows potential as a receiver.
Track sprinter Parker Milkes averaged 20.7 yards per reception last season with four catches for 124 yards and one touchdown.
Size in the Trojans’ offensive line is supplied by two senior returning starters. Benton Nordaune stands 6-3 and weighs in at 320 pounds. Alongside him is 6-foot, 260-pound Gavin Knaeble.
Schedule
Sept. 3: At Andover Sept. 10: Edina Sept. 18: At St. Michael-Albertville Sept. 25: Moorhead Oct. 2: Park of Cottage Grove Oct. 9: At Minnetonka Oct. 14: At Maple Grove Oct. 23: Eden Prairie
Game times 7 p. m. unless otherwise noted