BOYS Top 20 Preview: #2 Prior Lake

Prior Lake, like BSM, has been a gold standard for success over the past 10 years. They have been in 6 championship games since 2016 (‘16, ‘18, ‘19, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23), winning 3 titles (‘16, ‘18, ‘19). This program is built on their development process, strong youth program, elite coaching and high IQ players. Year in and year out, the public makes the mistake of thinking, “PL will be down” and consistently, the Lakers prove us all wrong.

“Tale of the Tape”

*according to LaxNumbers

**according to MN Lax Hub

• 2024 Record: 13-2

• Strength of Schedule: 77.77 (Hardest in MSHSL)*

• Team Offense: Averaged 10.6 Goals For per game (24th in MSHSL)**

  • Graduated Senior Production: 68.9%

• Team Defense: Averaged 6.13 Goals Against per game (7th in MSHSL)**

  • Graduated Defensive Personnel: CJ Sheffield (Starting LSM)

Offense Returning

• George Tocko (25/14)

• Griffin Noble (13/6)

• Griffin Marshall (3/1) also starting FO/S (57%)

• Devin Zender (2/2)

Defense Returning

• Dillon Tushie (Starting D)

• Brady Hallberg (Starting D)

• Cole Patzman (Starting D)

• Hudson Young (Starting G)

• Cade Wozney (Starting SSDM)

• Joe Deidrich (Starting SSDM)

2025 Schedule

Within their south suburban conference schedule they will have 5 top 20 matchups (as of right now) vs Lakeville North, Eagan, Farmington, The Valley & Rosemount. I expect Lakeville South and Shakopee to also be much better this year and not even remotely close to an “easy game”

Out of Conference they will have a game against Hudson who should be better than they were last year as well as Eden Prairie (#8), Stillwater (#4), Bloom. Jefferson (#6) and Benilde - St. Margaret’s (#1). Obviously, rankings will most certainly change once the season starts but, once again, the Lakers are on pace to have the toughest schedule in the state. This is absolutely necessary for them to prepare to get through the toughest section playoff as well.

Final Thoughts

Prior Lake, like every year previously, has some question marks to replace graduation. Looking very similar to BSM from the last post, their defense should be right back near the top of the state, but, they will need to find a replacement for some great offensive players they lost. They get G. Tocko and Noble back to have senior leadership at Midfield and Attack respectively. They had a strong JV team last year and I believe some of those 2027s will be asked to contribute this season. Make no mistake about it, every year we question Prior Lake and every year they find the next group of kids to fill the shoes of great players before. They have a great development model built on a strong youth program so expect the Lakers be strong again next season.