Minneapolis North Football Coach Charles Adams, one of the state’s best, recently won the “Jerry Kill Power of Influence Award” given by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association to honor his impact on his players, school, and community.

Adams led the Polars to a 12-1 record and a 2019 Class 2A state runner-up finish in the state playoffs.

In the past decade, Adams, a lifelong member of the North Minneapolis community who also works as a Minneapolis police officer assigned to North, has seen his program grow from one emphasizing competitiveness to one of sustained excellence.

After two more seasons of average play in 2012 and 2013, North hit its stride, starting a string of seven consecutive state playoff appearances.

Here is a look at North’s accomplishments the past seven seasons: 2014 Class 1A semifinals; 2015 Class 1A state runner-up; 2016 Class 1A state champions; 2017 Class 2A quarterfinals; 2018 Class 2A semifinals; and 2019 Class 2A state runner-up.