Jim Paulsen
Reporter
SportsJim Paulsen is a high school sports reporter for the Star Tribune.
Latest from Jim Paulsen
High Schools
Two unanimous No. 1 teams, Stewartville in Class 3A and Minneota in Class 1A, emerge in the high school football state rankings
Elk River, ranked first in Class 5A, received all but one first-place vote, and Nevis remained atop Nine-Player. New in the top spot this week: Lakeville North in 6A, Becker in 4A and Barnesville in 2A.
September 17, 2024
High Schools
Contenders are plenty and clear choices few for top spots in Minnesota Top 20 high school football ranking
Maple Grove, Lakeville North, Shakopee and Minnetonka remain undefeated among Class 6A teams and hold the first four positions this week.
September 16, 2024
High Schools
Maple Grove overcomes defending Class 6A high school football champion Centennial
Maple Grove and Centennial were tied until Chuck Langama scored the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.
September 14, 2024
High Schools
A high-level Thursday high school football schedule, a rivalry game and a Greater Minnesota clash draw prognosticators’ attention
The Minnesota Star Tribune reporters who try to predict winners are analyzing a Class 6A game Thursday and another Friday, and they’re headed northwest for a third.
September 12, 2024
High Schools
The first class-by-class high school football state rankings of the season are revealed
Edina leads Class 6A, and it’s Elk River in 5A, Hutchinson in 4A, Stewartville in 3A, Caledonia in 2A, Minneota in 1A. Nevis and Mountain Iron-Buhl are tied for first in Nine-Player.
September 10, 2024
The Latest
Maple Grove stands strong atop the Minnesota Top 20 football rankings, but we see you, Edina
The strength Edina showed in a big victory over Eden Prairie made the Hornets a tempting option for No. 1, but too much about Maple Grove is too strong.
September 9, 2024
High Schools
Minnetonka, powered by quarterback Caleb Francois, rolls against Wayzata in high school football
Caleb Francois rushed for three touchdowns for the second game in a row, propelling Minnetonka toward a victory over Wayzata.
September 7, 2024
High Schools
The updated Minnesota Top 20 high school football rankings come with an explanation
The assignment is to produce a state football ranking that crosses classes. Complicating that — or making it more intriguing? — is that it is very difficult for smaller schools to keep up in the numbers game.
September 6, 2024
High Schools
The first class-by-class high school football state rankings of the season are revealed
Edina leads Class 6A, and it’s Elk River in 5A, Hutchinson in 4A, Stewartville in 3A, Caledonia in 2A, Minneota in 1A. Nevis and Mountain Iron-Buhl are tied for first in Nine-Player.
September 10, 2024
The Latest
Maple Grove stands strong atop the Minnesota Top 20 football rankings, but we see you, Edina
The strength Edina showed in a big victory over Eden Prairie made the Hornets a tempting option for No. 1, but too much about Maple Grove is too strong.
September 9, 2024
High Schools
Minnetonka, powered by quarterback Caleb Francois, rolls against Wayzata in high school football
Caleb Francois rushed for three touchdowns for the second game in a row, propelling Minnetonka toward a victory over Wayzata.
September 7, 2024
High Schools
The updated Minnesota Top 20 high school football rankings come with an explanation
The assignment is to produce a state football ranking that crosses classes. Complicating that — or making it more intriguing? — is that it is very difficult for smaller schools to keep up in the numbers game.
September 6, 2024