Friday nights at Maple Grove Crimson Stadium are always special, and this past week was no exception. Once again, the stands were packed as we welcomed a talented Mounds View Mustangs team. Before kickoff, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Night—a tradition that continues to be a highlight of our season. Seniors honored a teacher who made an impact on their lives, and in some cases, even an elementary teacher was recognized for their influence years ago. We were also joined by our Best Buddies group, who ran out of the tunnel with the team and added to the excitement.

Defensively, we know there’s still room to improve. Our expectation at Maple Grove is to play at a shutout level, and for a brief five-minute stretch, Mounds View was able to capitalize on some mistakes and put up two scores. Even with a 35–14 halftime lead, it didn’t yet feel like a dominant performance. One of the bright spots came from Beaux Thyen, who tied the program record with his 8th career interception on a tipped pass. Beaux continues to bring energy and confidence, playing like a true veteran. In the fourth quarter, we were able to get some of our senior JV players valuable varsity reps—something we hope to do more often as we put together more complete performances.

On offense, our balance stood out. We rolled up nearly 500 yards while scoring on 7 of our 8 possessions. Quarterback Kaden Harney ran for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns while also throwing for 3 scores and over 200 yards through the air. Both Jeffrey Nordvold and James Engle found the end zone twice, showcasing the depth of our playmakers. With so many weapons, we know opposing defenses face a tough challenge game-planning for us. Our offensive line also played a key role, controlling the line of scrimmage and protecting the pocket, led by senior center Chris Biesiada.

Next week brings another big West District matchup as we travel to Edina for their Homecoming. They feature an outstanding quarterback in Mason West and a senior-heavy lineup. Coming off a tough loss to Eden Prairie, we know they’ll be ready to bring their best. It’s shaping up to be another electric Friday night atmosphere, and we hope Crimson Nation travels well to support us in what promises to be a top-10 showdown.

Coach Spurrell