It’s hard not to get emotional when talking about Homecoming Week at Maple Grove. For several years now, this game has also served as our Tackle Cancer event, raising money for the Randy Shaver Tackle Cancer Fund, which is a cause that means a great deal to our program and impacts so many people.

The energy throughout the school during this week is always something special. From the pep fest to the buildup on game day, there’s a buzz that gives everyone chills. Watching our players feed off that energy and seeing the school rally behind them never gets old. The crowd was incredible again this year, and the sea of pink in the stands was an awesome sight.

I just wish we had played a cleaner game to give our fans a little more comfort. This was a hard-fought battle with the Knights, who proved to be a formidable opponent. They kept us on our heels defensively for much of the night.

We started fast with a big play and one play later, we already had 7 points on the board.  Unfortunately, our defense found itself on the field for twenty straight plays over two long drives, and before we knew it, we were trailing 10–7 at halftime. That marked the second time this season we’ve been behind at the break.

While that’s not the norm for us, our staff and players showed poise and confidence in the locker room.  We were able to spend time making adjustments and coming up with solutions in the second half. Still, STMA didn’t want go away quietly and even regained the lead in the fourth quarter. Fortunately, our offense responded in a big way, finding the end zone twice more. James Engle had an outstanding night, scoring five touchdowns. Ryder Skanson added his fourth interception of the season on a clutch play, and Ben Williams, stepping in for an injured teammate, was all over the field with 13 tackles.

It was great to come out of this one with a victory, even if it wasn’t our sharpest performance of the season.  As a coach, it was also fun getting a chance to see our players and managers dressed up and enjoying themselves at the homecoming dance.  It was an awesome atmosphere with the dance being held at the stadium due to construction.

That said, I’m glad the weekend is behind us so we can refocus and get back to work. We’re hitting the midpoint of the season, and this week we travel just down Maple Grove Parkway to take on a new rival in the Wayzata Trojans. It should be a great matchup and with the cooler fall weather rolling in, it’s shaping up to be a perfect Friday night for football.

I’m excited for a full week of preparation and another chance to compete under the lights.

FEAR THE LEAF!  LEAVE NO DOUBT!  FIND  A WAY!

Coach Spurrell