Stillwater
2025 record: 3-6 (Lost in first round of Class 6A playoffs)
Coach: Beau LaBore
Returning starters: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
Impact returnees: Carter Zollar tallied 570 yards and nine touchdowns receiving last season. He’s a Montana State commit. Liam McGlynn is another captain following his all-subdistrict performance last season at safety.
Remember the name: Cael Spates. LaBore describes the linebacker as a “wrecking ball” who enters his senior campaign as a captain.
Shoutout to a lineman: Andrew Olson is a three-year starter on Stillwater’s defensive line. The captain is committed to Jamestown.
Schedule: at Maple Grove, vs. Park, at Shakopee, vs. Mounds View (Homecoming, Sept. 25), vs. Woodbury, at White Bear Lake, vs. East Ridge, at Forest Lake
The skinny: The Ponies were ravaged by injuries last season, which derailed what looked like a promising campaign. Perhaps the Ponies are due for a run of better health this fall?
If it can get that, Stillwater has the athletes and foundation to contend in the subdistrict.
White Bear Lake
2025 record: 2-7 (Lost in the first round to White Bear Lake)
Coach: Ryan Bartlett
Returning starters: 4 on offense, 5 on defense
Impact returnees: White Bear Lake returns a trio of receivers in Biran White, Colton Butts and Antonio Brown, all of whom possess the speed to frighten opposing secondaries.
Remember the name: Brian White III. The running back ran for 107 yards per game last season including a 244 yard performance against East Ridge.
Shoutout to a lineman: Defensive end Croix Erickson is expected to lead the Bears’ defensive front. Bartlett described him as a “tough, smart” player.
Schedule: at Park, vs. Coon Rapids, at Farmington, vs. East Ridge, at Forest Lake, vs. Stillwater (Homecoming, Oct. 9), at Woodbury, vs. Mounds View
The skinny: Bartlett liked what he saw in fall camp – a tight-knit group excited for practice every day. White Bear Lake has offensive weapons that can post a lot of points, and some key defensive pieces back.
The combination of the two phases in unison should have the Bears competitive in games all fall.
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