Varsity Insiders With Randy Shaver

What do football coaches tell players after 30 straight losses?

Ortonville, Medford and Sibley East are each seeking their first win of the Minnesota high school football season while carrying long losing streaks. Head coaches Matt Fe

What keeps Minnesota’s winningest football coach coming back?

After almost 58 seasons and 442 victories, Verndale football coach Mike Mahlen still enjoys practices, game preparation and calling plays on Friday nights. He joins Randy

Three perfect starts, three remarkable football turnarounds

Wayzata, Bagley and Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons have opened the Minnesota high school football season 3-0, and each program took a different path to get there. The thre

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. returns to where his football story began

Twenty-five years after playing high school football at Academy of Holy Angels, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is back in Minnesota for an honor that connects his past, present and

Inside a community effort to honor a legendary football coach

Chris Meidt joins Randy Shaver to share how Minneota's broken scoreboard inspired the community to transform its stadium and honor his father, legendary coach Gerhard Mei

How football teams across Minnesota are tackling cancer

An idea embraced by Minnesota football coaches has grown into a statewide movement that has raised $4.7 million for cancer research and patient support. Dave Nelson and S

Why Minnesota’s high school football recruiting scene is booming

Minnesota’s football recruiting landscape is loaded with talent, led by powerhouse rosters at Moorhead and Shakopee, seven in-state Gophers commits and a growing group of

How small-town football dynasties keep winning

How do you build and sustain a football dynasty when small enrollments, limited rosters and constant expectations are working against you? Minneota coach Chad Johnston a

Two No. 1 football recruits, two different paths

Blake Betton is a Penn State commit playing Class 6A football in the Twin Cities. Brodie Metzger is a Nine-Player state champion from southwestern Minnesota with 12 Divis

The secrets behind Dwight Lundeen’s 57 seasons at Becker

Why did Dwight Lundeen stay at Becker High School for 57 football seasons — and how does a program replace the only head coach it has ever known? The Minnesota high scho

Introducing Varsity Insiders with Randy Shaver

Welcome to Varsity Insiders from Strib Varsity and the Minnesota Star Tribune. This is your one stop shop for all things Minnesota high school football.