Page 6 Fall Football Preview, August 28, 2026

sunthisweek. com

by Mike Shaughnessy SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

When Farmington was at its best last season, it could be argued the Tigers were competitive with any team in Minnesota. But when mistakes crept in, it sometimes got ugly.

So that’ s the Tigers’ challenge in 2026 – more of the blue-collar, physical play head coach Jon Pieper is trying to instill in the program, and fewer of the mistakes that cost them games during a 4-5 season in 2025.

The Tigers believe they’ re not far away from being able to go toe-to-toe with the strongest teams in the Metro South district.

“ I feel like we can match up with anybody in terms of our physicality and our ability to run the ball,” said Pieper, in his second year as head coach after three seasons as co-head coach.“ If we can do those things, then we can control the ball, control the clock.

“ Then when you look at the back end of our defense and the guys we have coming back there, it should be a good year for them, too.”

If the Tigers can cut down on mistakes, watch out.

“ We think there were a lot of times last year when we were beating ourselves,” said senior wide receiver Ty Beck, a University of St. Thomas commit.“ There were two really winnable games where we just didn’ t do it.

Farmington expects to be competitive in rugged Metro South

Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Farmington players prepare for the upcoming football season. The Tigers’ season opener is at Eastview on Thursday, Sept. 3.

If we figure that out, we should be able to score a lot more points. That’ s me being an offensive guy, but I thought our defense did a really good job last year, and now it’ s our time to step up.”

Farmington also installed a new offense last season, switching out its spread attack for a more run-heavy approach. Two backs line up behind

Schedule

Games 7 p. m. Fridays unless noted Sept. 3( Thur.): at Eastview 6 p. m. Sept. 11: Lakeville North Sept. 18: White Bear Lake Sept. 25: at Lakeville South Oct. 2: at Rosemount Oct. 9: Eagan Oct. 15( Thur.): at Shakopee( noon) Oct. 23: Prior Lake the center in position to receive a shotgun snap. Who actually gets the snap depends on the play the Tigers have called. Pieper said the offense was used at Farmington’ s youth levels last year and teams in grades 3-8 won 75 percent of their games.

Farmington’ s veteran offensive line likes the offense because it gives them more chances to block, as players say,“ downhill.”

“ It’ s the greatest thing ever,” said

feel like I can deliver a hit. And it makes us closer as a group because we all have to be on the same page with how we’ re blocking.”

Beck describes his role as“ gadget guy,” meaning the Tigers want to get him the ball but plan to be creative about how they do it. Last year he was third on the team in rushing and led Tigers in receptions.

The Tigers have several candidates to play running back as they look for a successor to Chris Rehak, who last year led the team in rushing yards and tackles. He is now at Minnesota Duluth.“ Pretty unusual in 6A football to have a guy lead your team in rushing and tackles,” Pieper said.

During the opening week of practice Pieper described the quarterback competition as“ alive and well.”

Outside linebackers Gabe Samples and Nathan Urbach return to the Farmington defense. Donovan Ramos is a returning inside linebacker, and Pieper said a number of candidates are competing for playing time on the defensive line.

The Farmington secondary should be athletic, featuring the top three finishers in the school’ s Ironman strength and conditioning contest earlier this month – senior Matthew Hennen, and juniors Mason Sather and Cayden Olson.

Hennen’ s 2025 season was cut short because of a leg fracture, and he’ s anxious to get back on the

See Tigers, 16

Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Ty Beck( 14) takes a pitch during Farmington football practice last week. Beck, a senior captain, is listed as a wide receiver but is likely to be used by the Tigers offense in multiple ways this season.