Page 8 Fall Football Preview • Thursday, August 27, 2026 sailor. mnsun. com
MINNETONKA SKIPPERS
Almost full defensive platoon comes back
JOHN SHERMAN john. sherman @ apgecm. com
Minnetonka High football defensive coordinator Matt Lombardi could hardly wait for the opening of fall practice. That’ s because the Minnetonka defensive unit returns 10 of 11 starters from last season, when the Skippers made it to the state semifinals in Class 6A. The return of an entire defense is virtually unheard of at a school of Minnetonka’ s size.
“ I have always been a defensive guy,” Minnetonka senior captain Noah Wallace said prior to the opening practice Monday, Aug. 17.“ We are big on doing the right things the right way and our goal is to be state champs. Every week is going to be competitive [ in Class 6A’ s West District ].”
Both finalists in the Prep Bowl last season, Edina and Moorhead, are Minnetonka’ s rivals in that loaded district that also includes Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, St. Michael-Albertville and Wayzata.
Wallace, a Division I commit at the University of St. Thomas, is back in the secondary along with three other defensive backs – Cody Braun, Jonah Cummings and James Fitch. All three of those players will double as wide receivers on offense.
Illinois State recruit Myles Augustyn is the other senior defensive captain with Wallace.“ Myles is fast, smart and athletic at inside linebacker,” Minnetonka head coach Mark Esch said.
Augustyn led the Skippers’ defense with 119 tackles,
( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN)
Minnetonka’ s defensive captains, Noah Wallace and Myles Augustyn, are among the unit’ s 10 returning starters for the 2026 season.
including 69 solos, in 2025. Wallace was second on the team with 111 tackles. Safety Elijah Hernandez made 78 tackles, linebacker Logan Backes made 83 and linebacker Riley Battani made 73.
In addition to his work on defense, Wallace emerged as an outstanding kick returner with one punt return for 29 yards and six kick-off returns for 114 yards.
Place kicker Channing Scott was one of the most reliable in the state last season, converting 26 of 29 extra points.
At the controls of the Minnetonka offense is Caden Gutzmer, a third-year varsity quarterback. Injured part of last season, Gutzmer returned for the playoff run. The Skippers won their first three postseason games, then lost a 42-35 decision to eventual state champion Edina in the semifinal round at U. S. Bank
Stadium.
Gutzmer passed for 1,147 yards last season while completing 63 percent of his attempts. He had 10 touchdown passes with no interception and his quarterback rating was second only to that of Edina’ s graduated superstar, Mason West.“ Caden is super talented an proven,” coach Esch said.“ He has committed to the University of North Dakota.”
Kirion Vogel, returning for his senior season, was the Skippers’ leading receiver last season, making 22 catches for 412 yards and six touchdowns.
Braun was a competent second option with 14 catches for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
Minnetonka’ s biggest graduation loss was running back Caleb Francois, who had an All-State season with 2,055 rushing yards on 301 carries.
Rushing attempts alone gave him 31 touchdowns for the season. He added a pair of touchdowns on pass receptions.
Francois’ understudy last season, sophomore Parker Running, showed promise with 42 carries for 283 yards and two touchdowns. He will have to shoulder much more of a load this season in supplementing what promises to be a potent air attack. Gutzmer is another running threat. He averaged seven yards per carry last season and gained 176 total yards with one touchdown.
Minnetonka is rebuilding the offensive line this season with three players, who have NCAA Division II offers – Louie Kendall, Zeke Boadi and Brady Harrison.
“ As long as our offensive line jells, and we think it will, our offense will be really good,” coach Esch said.
QUICK HITS
Head Coach Mark Esch Seventh Season
Last Year’ s Record: 9-3
Key Returning Players
Almost the entire defense is back for the Skippers and 10 returning starters give them an edge in Class 6A’ s West District. Leading those defenders are two senior captains who surpassed the 100-tackle mark in 2025 – Inside linebacker Myles Augustyn and secondary leader Noah Wallace.
Logan Backes added 83 tackles as a sophomore last year. Minnetonka’ s offense is led by one of Minnesota’ s most accurate passers, senior captain Cade Gutzmer. Although he was injured for a portion of the 2025 season, Gutzmer threw for 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games. He was a rushing threat, as well, averaging seven yard per carry.
Minnetonka’ s kicking game should be strong again with the return of Channing Scott. The Skippers’ toughest task will be trying to shore up the rushing attack following the graduation of Caleb Francois, who scored 33 total touchdowns last season.
Schedule
Sept. 3: At East Ridge Sept. 10: St. Michael-Albertville Sept. 18: At Moorhead, 6 p. m. Sept. 25: Prior Lake Oct. 2: At Eden Prairie Oct. 9: Wayzata Oct. 14: At Edina Oct. 23: Maple Grove
Game times 7 p. m. unless otherwise noted