Page 8 Fall Football Preview, August 28, 2026
by Mike Shaughnessy SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
A conversation with Lakeville North’ s football captains last week turned to areas that could be strengths for the Panthers this fall.
“ I think a lot of teams are sleeping on our D-line,” said senior tight end Brady Kemp.“ We’ ve got guys who can make plays out of basically nothing. That D-line is going to be a massive player for us.”
Truth be told, the Panthers probably wouldn’ t mind if opponents slept on their whole team. After a 1-8 season in 2025, Lakeville North has a rare opportunity to go into football season under the radar, and last week the Panther captains sounded OK with that.
Of course, it takes yearround commitment to make opponents pay for overlooking a team during the season. That’ s been happening, the Panther captains said.
“ Last season lit a fire under everyone who truly cares about our program,” Kemp said.“ Everybody was showing up to just about everything we did in our off-season. Everyone was more together, more motivated.”
“ I think we had the best off-season we’ ve had in four years,” defensive back Gavin Casey said.“ Before school we’ d have dome sessions, then we’ d have after-school lifts. We actually had book clubs where we learned a lot about leadership. Our leadership has stepped up, and after last season, there’ s one thing that drives us – we don’ t want to go back to that point, that 1-8.”
The Panthers have a solid group of returning players starting with Casey, a two-time all-district defensive back. Head coach Brian Vossen said Casey plays with a ferocity that reminds him of former NFL defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, aka the“ Honey
Badger.” Last season Casey led the team with 67 tackles and had one interception.
Returning linebacker and defensive end Jack Juffer has committed to the University of St. Thomas. His biggest attribute can be found in the bio section of his X account, where he entered“ HIGH MOTOR.”
Tyler Ruff, also a state medalist in wrestling, is a two-year starter at linebacker. His 59 tackles last season were second on the team.
Other key returnees on defense for the Panthers are lineman Eli Tuchscherer, defensive back / linebacker Kade Crawford, defensive back Owen Brezinski and lineman Kyle Barbour, all seniors.
Last season the
Panthers were in the game in the fourth quarter in a number of their losses, but getting the ball in the end zone proved problematic. They averaged fewer than nine points a game with a high of just 17.
They have the potential to be more dynamic this season with returnees on the line and among the backs and receivers. Senior captains Matt Popp and Brayden Strong return on the line, with Kemp at tight end.
The captains said the Panthers’ run game has been impressive in practice. They also liked how the quarterbacks got the ball downfield throwing out of a spread formation.
Gavin Holmquist earned the starting quarterback job last year as a sophomore but suffered a pulled hamstring in the Panthers’ second game. He reinjured it upon returning to the lineup a few weeks later and missed the rest of the season. When Holmquist was healthy, he showed he was a potent running and passing threat. sunthisweek. com
Lakeville North Panthers return talent on both sides of the line North players anxious to erase memories of 2025 season
Photo by Mike Shaughnessy
Lakeville North football players practiced last week in preparation for the 2026 schedule, which begins Sept. 3 at home against Blaine.
Schedule
Games 7 p. m. Fridays unless noted Sept. 3( Thur.): Blaine Sept. 11: at Farmington Sept. 18: Lakeville South Sept. 25: at Eagan( 6:30 p. m.) Oct. 2: at Prior Lake Oct. 9: Rosemount Oct. 14( Wed.): at Champlin Park Oct. 23: Shakopee
Not only is Holmquist back this season, but so is the player who came in for him last year, senior Mason Eberle.
Junior running back Zion Davis was North’ s second-leading rusher last season with 492 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Anders Erickson led the Panthers in receptions in 2025. Kemp led in receiving yardage and had two touchdown catches.
Having returning players with something to prove could take the Panthers a long way, Casey said.
“ We have a lot of guys that have played with us the past two of three years, so we have experience, and that plays a big part of it,” Casey said.
“ I think we’ re already on a great track,” Ruff said.“ We’ re doing what we need to do, which is doing our jobs and working as a team. We’ ve just got to keep doing that.”
Photo by Mike Shaughnessy
Lakeville North football captains: Brayden Strong( left), Jack Juffer, Gavin Casey, Tyler Ruff, Brady Kemp and Matt Popp.