The schedule didn’t do Stillwater any favors to open the 2025 campaign.

Two of its first three opponents? Defending Class 6A champion Maple Grove and 2024 state semifinalist Shakopee.

It doesn’t get much more difficult than that, particularly for a program ushering in a new starting quarterback. Nick Kinsey is in Ohio as the result of a family move, which opened the door for Jack Runk to step in under center.

The junior certainly looked the part in Thursday’s season opener. Runk, an all-state shortstop, went 5 for 5 on the game’s opening drive, which ended in a 10-yard scoring strike to senior running back Chase Edstrom to put the Ponies up 7-0.

The Crimson — the preseason favorites to repeat in Class 6A — eventually found their footing with their ground game. Maple Grove’s offensive l

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