The Maple Grove High School football team ended its inaugural season with a 13-0 loss to Park Center Wednesday, Oct. 16. The game was called in the first quarter because of lightning.

The Crimson did not win a game this year but played hard and improved in every game.

"It was a great year," Maple Grove coach Craig Hansen said. "People are going to say, 'Yeah, yeah, you are just saying that. But it really was. The coaches and kids really hit it off and that's what is so fun about it. At the conference meeting tonight, I told other coaches that every week we'd come back and we'd have our best week of practice. I never got on them for not working hard enough or taking short cuts. That's never happened and that's unique. Our kids have earned a reputation for playing hard for 48 minutes and never, never quit. One of the coaches said to me, ‘What more could you ask for?’ I agree. I can't."

The Crimson will return everyone except senior running back Erik Omberg. "If there's anybody who exemplifies what Maple Grove football is, he is the one," Hansen said. "He is totally unselfish, has a great attitude and works 100% all the time. He is a smart, tough kid and a great competitor. I said to him, 'You are our rock,' and he is." Hansen looks for his young, inexperienced players of this year grow bigger and stronger, "How we grow and develop between now and nine months from now is very interesting,” he said. "Heart, work ethics and character are there. Now it's just a matter of how we develop and mature. l think we had a great first year because those type of qualities that you hope for. My biggest concern going in how to establish that type of character and work ethic and an unselfish atmosphere. We really did that and players felt they really enjoyed the game and had a real positive experience and learned a lot. I think we are off to a real positive start. These things are really a good foundation.