It was not perfect, but for opening night, the Maple Grove High School football team gave as good a performance as anyone could ask for in the 35-7 home win over Forest Lake last Friday.

The Crimson defense dominated and its offense showed great balance. Maple Grove built a 21-0 half-time lead and cruised to an impressive win.

“Things turned out real well for us,” Maple Grove coach Craig Hansen said. “It was a great way to get started with a new team with so many new faces.”

While many newcomers were getting their first taste of varsity action, it was some seasoned veterans that gave Maple Grove a jump start. The dynamic passing combo of quarterback Mitch Brecke and receiver Greg Martin picked up where they left off last year by hooking up for seven completions for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Brecke completed 13 or 22 passes fro 153 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. His other touchdown was a 10-yard TD pass to another veteran, running back Ryan Iskierka, with just 11 seconds left in the first half that gave Maple Grove a commanding 21-0 lead.

Earlier in the first half, running back Ryan Holland opened scoring with a six-yard TD run and Brecke hit Martin with a25-yard TD strike.

The special teams got in the scoring act early in the third quarter when Josh Laurent took a punt and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown. Brecke and Martin completed Maple Grove’s scoring with an eight-yard TD strike.

Maple Grove had 106 yards rushing to complete Brecke’s passing. Holland had 50 yards on seven carries. Twin brother Ben caught three passes for 22 yards.

“We had a good night offensively,” Hansen said. “We moved the ball and w particularly threw the ball well.”

Defensively, ends Eric Whinnery and Paulson and linebackers Ted Leonard and Jeff Jarvis and free safety Chase Mudd had strong games to lead the Crimson.

“Our defense had a big night,” Hansen said. “They held Forest Lake to eight yards passing and 37 yards rushing in the first half. They did a great job of setting the tone early.”

All in all, Hansen felt it was a great performance for the first game of the season.

“We have so many new faces so I was thrilled that we really came together,” he said. “It was by no means a perfect game but we did well for opening night.”

The Crimson face a tough test when they travel to Elk River Friday.

“They have a great quarterback and they throw for a ton of yards,” Hansen said. “It will be a real challenge.