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Hermantown junior halfback Martin Sleen has been named to the 2025 All-Minnesota football team, earning a spot among the state’s top 25 players after a breakout season that ranked him among the most productive rushers in the state.
Sleen, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound junior, was recognized after posting 1,908 rushing yards, 29 touchdowns and an 11.8-yard average per carry. He topped 200 yards in five games, including a 376-yard performance in October that stood as one of the top single-game totals statewide.
The All-Minnesota team is selected by Strib Varsity and includes standouts from across all classes. This year’s group features linemen Andrew Trout of Rocori, Owen Linder of Chanhassen, Weston Rowe of Jackson County Central and Prior Lake’s Ethan Beckman. Other offensive selections include Roman Voss of Jackson County Central, Forest Lake’s Jayden Onuonga, David Mack of Moorhead and Chanhassen’s Kade Bush.
Sleen was chosen as one of three running backs, joined by Byron’s Carson Heimer and Maple Grove’s James Engle Jr. The quarterbacks named were Caleb Francois of Minnetonka, Chanhassen’s Nathan Ramler and Minneapolis North’s Logan Lachermeier.
Defensive selections include linemen Howie Johnson of Forest Lake, Pillager’s Earl Brown, Centennial’s Josh O’Shea and Edina’s Sawyer Jezierski. The linebackers are Kane Thompson of International Falls, Ryder Skanson of Maple Grove and Shakopee’s Blake Betton. Four defensive backs complete the list: Micah Bush of Hills-Beaver Creek, Brayden Dozier of Maple Grove, Deron Russell of Waseca and Todd Rogalski of St. Thomas Academy.
Sleen is among the few Hermantown players in recent years to earn first-team statewide recognition. His return next fall gives the Hawks a proven playmaker after a season built around a heavy ground attack and a defense that kept the team competitive throughout a rugged Northeast Red schedule.
Hermantown ended the 2025 season short of a state tournament berth but brings back a large share of its roster — including one of the state’s most dangerous offensive threats.
Sleen has not announced a college decision.
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Hermantown enters the 2025-26 boys hockey season with 14 returning letterwinners and a renewed push toward a return to the state tournament after missing St. Paul last winter for the first time in six years.
Coach Patrick Andrews said last season’s inconsistency is expected to serve as a turning point for a group that brings back experience throughout the lineup.
“The hard, learned lessons from last season’s roller coaster of a year should prove to be a great experience for a more mature, gritty, puck-controlling Hawks team,” Andrews said in a preseason statement sent to the local media.
Hermantown again builds around senior goaltender Bryce Francisco, who posted six shutouts, a .939 save percentage and a 1.69 goals-against average last season while facing one of the state’s most demanding schedules. Francisco returns as one of the top goaltenders in Minnesota regardless of class.
Hermantown returns a veteran defensive group led by Kyler Berg and Gabe Sweson. Andrews said the defense corps is expected to play a significant role in both transition and offensive support, continuing the program’s emphasis on activating a fourth skater into the attack.
An experienced forward group includes Al Nicklin and Mick Martalock, both coming off Elite League seasons. Additional depth is expected from Bode Madill, Kole Lendzyk, Beau Christy and Ford Skytta.
“Opposing teams will not be able to key in on one player or matchup,” Andrews said.
Hermantown again plays one of the toughest schedules in Class A. The Hawks open on the road at Cretin-Derham Hall and Hill-Murray before facing Rock Ridge, Mahtomedi, Centennial, Rosemount, Maple Grove, Cloquet, Denfeld, Shakopee, Superior, Hibbing, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Holy Angels among others.
“We played one of the toughest schedules in the state last year,” Andrews said.
With experience in goal, depth on defense and four established forward lines, Hermantown enters the season as a Section 7A co-favorite with defending champion Hibbing-Chisholm.
The Hawks expect to be back in the state tournament conversation.
2025-26 Hawks Schedule
Friday, Nov. 28 – at Cretin-Derham Hall, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 29 – at Hill-Murray, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 2 – at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5 – at Mahtomedi, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Duluth Marshall, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 11 – Centennial, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13 – Rosemount, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16 – at Duluth Denfeld, 7:30 p.m
Friday, Dec. 19 – at Maple Grove, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 – at Cloquet, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 26 – Delano, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 27 – White Bear Lake, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 1 – at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 3 – Eden Prairie, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 – at Proctor, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 8 – at St. Cloud Cathedral, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 10 – Warroad, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 – Hibbing-Chisholm, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17 – at Shakopee, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 – Superior, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 24 – Mahtomedi, 2 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 – at East Grand Forks, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31 – at Moorhead, 5 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 – at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7 – Holy Angels, 2 p.m.
Note: Home games listed in boldface.
