sunthisweek. com Fall Football Preview, August 28, 2026 Page 9
Team used to punching above its weight
by Mike Shaughnessy SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Lakeville South occupies a unique place in the Minnesota high school football hierarchy.
The Cougars have become one of the most successful programs in the state’ s largest enrollment class while being one of the smallest schools in that class.
They’ ve been to the Class 6A quarterfinals six times since 2018, won the state championship in 2021 and went undefeated in 2020, the year the Minnesota State High School League didn’ t hold a playoff because of COVID-19.
The MSHSL’ s calculations for the purpose of assigning teams to classes( which might not be the same as actual enrollment) puts South as the 29th-largest high school in the state for 2026-27. Of the schools playing 6A football this year, only Andover, Forest Lake and Coon Rapids are smaller, and not by much. Lakeville North is credited with about 85 students more than Lakeville South by the MSHSL’ s numbers.
New enrollment numbers that will be used when the MSHSL tweaks section assignments next spring will have South still among the smallest schools playing Class 6A football. The Cougars, who figure to be a top-10 team
South remains among top Class 6A football programs despite being one of the smallest
at minimum in the 2026 preseason state rankings, will keep on keeping on.
“ We don’ t have as many guys as a Wayzata or a Maple Grove would have,” said senior Griffen Dean, the Cougars’ standout running back.“ So for us, it’ s about getting the new players acclimated and comfortable around
Schedule
Games 7 p. m. Fridays unless noted Sept. 3( Thur.): at Mounds View Sept. 11: Shakopee Sept. 18: at Lakeville North Sept. 25: Farmington Oct. 2: at Eagan( 6:30 p. m.) Oct. 9: Edina Oct. 15( Thur.): at Prior Lake Oct. 23: Rosemount
Lakeville South
us and building the brotherhood, as we call it.
“ Another thing is we’ re in the weightroom four days a week, and Scott Sahli is a very smart weightlifting coach. He kind of lays out the season for us. He’ s already planned the state championship( week), even if we don’ t make it. But we will, hopefully.” The Cougars appear well fortified at the skill positions on offense and in the back seven on defense, while needing to replace several linemen who graduated after last year’ s team went 9-3 and reached the Class 6A semifinals before losing to Moorhead 26-14.
“ We’ ve been blessed with a lot of talented guys and guys who are getting recruited, but we have a team full of players we really like,” head coach Ben Burk said.“ There’ s definitely a lot of athleticism, and a lot of guys who can do the job.”
The Cougars come at opponents with multiple running backs. Two South players gained more than 1,300 yards each last season, with Dean returning following a 1,621-yard, 16-touchdown season. Although South typically sticks to the ground game, Dean also led the team with 13 receptions. He has committed to the University of Montana.
Minnesota recruit Joseph Hamer( 6-foot-7, 320 pounds) is a returning offensive tackle and will be expected to supply power to the running game. He’ s a senior, as is Brady McCloud( 6-2, 260), who’ s a tight end on offense – usually a blocking position in the Cougars’ scheme – and defensive tackle. Also returning is senior Gavin Stuart, who played quarterback last season and rushed for 288 yards.
Jeremiah Lebbi had 43 carries last season and is in line for a lot more this year. The Cougars can have as many as three running backs on the field when in their Power-T formation, and Dean said several defensive players could see some time at running back. Burk is enthusiastic about the potential of junior Teddy
Photo by Mike Shaughnessy
Lakeville South players run through drills at practice Aug. 18. The Cougars, coming off a 9-3 season and state semifinal appearance, will play at Mounds View in their season opener Sept. 3. See Cougars, 16
Photo by Mike Shaughnessy
A Lakeville South pass rusher tries to beat a double team during practice Aug. 18.