Hermantown’s 2025 football season came full circle Friday night — ending against the same team that handed the Hawks their first loss of the fall. Grand Rapids, physical and efficient from the start, again proved too much, defeating Hermantown 41-0 in the Section 7, Class 4A championship game to end
Hermantown led 14-8 at halftime and 28-16 after three quarters before Sleen’s third touchdown in the fourth extended the margin to 35-20.
“I thought we were the most physical we have been to date. We did a pretty darn good job bottling up that power-T offense that North Branch runs — which has notoriously caused us problems in the past.” -- Hawks coach Mike Zagelmeyer
“Holding Martin (Sleen, Minnesota's leading rusher) out allowed some of our younger guys to get valuable experience, especially since our JV game was canceled this past week. It was great to see some of them step up and contribute.” -- Hermantown coach Mike Zagelmeyer
On a night packed with pageantry, history and a homecoming crowd that filled Corey Veech Field, Hermantown stumbled early and never fully recovered. Grand Rapids spoiled the celebration Friday, handing the Hawks their first loss of the season in a 34-20 Northeast Red high school football game. “It was just
Hermantown Events to Watch Next Week Football Hermantown visits Esko at 5 p.m. Friday. Boys Soccer The Hawks play two matches on the road: Wednesday at Duluth East, 5:30 p.m. at Ordean Stadium, and Thursday at Duluth Denfeld, 6:30 p.m. at Marv Heikkinen Field. Girls
Maple Grove held steady at No. 1 in the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Strib Varsity statewide football rankings, while Minnetonka, Forest Lake and Eden Prairie rounded out a largely unchanged Top 4 after Week 4 victories. The Crimson (4-0) overpowered Edina 33-7 and continued their second-half dominance, outscoring opponents 83-17
The Hawks finished with 357 rushing yards on 23 carries — a staggering 15.5 yards per attempt. Martin Sleen led the way with 143 yards and five touchdowns on six carries.
“Gary Bowen was more than a coach. He was the patriarch of Hermantown football.” -- Hawks head football coach Mike Zagelmeyer
“We have a lot of experienced returners this year in a lot of skill positions and a line that wants to set the tone.” Hawks coach Mike Zagelmeyer
"I think we have some real playmakers this year who are excited for the challenge ahead. We graduated only eight seniors, although several were major contributors. For the first time in a long time, I like our depth." -- Hermantown Hawks football coach Mike Zagelmeyer
■ Friday, August 29 – host Duluth Denfeld, 7 p.m. ■ Friday, Sept. 5 – host Proctor, 7 p.m. ■ Friday, Sept. 12 – at Duluth East, 6 p.m. ■ Friday, Sept. 19 – at Cloquet, 7 p.m. ■ Friday, Sept. 26 – host Grand Rapids, 7 p.m. ■ Friday, Oct. 3 – at Esko, 5 p.
"She has a high basketball IQ and that's why a lot of college coaches love her already. She needs to keep working on her game because things will continue to be harder at every new level." Duluth Marshall coach Chibuzo Osuchukwu on Chloe Johnson, one of the nation's top recruits in the Class of 2028
Note: Prep Sports Notebook is powered by Perrault Construction, the trusted roofing, siding and window company in Duluth. Today's Games College Men's Basketball SE Oklahoma State at Bulldogs, 5 p.m. College Women's Basketball Bulldogs at SE Oklahoma State, 7:30 p.m. College
Note: The Howie Blog is powered by Perrault Construction, the trusted roofing, siding and window company in Duluth. Last Friday was a historic night for Hermantown's legendary football program, when the second-seeded Hawks stormed back from a 21-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat top-seed North Branch
