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Crimson hope to regroup against Hopkins

By admin, 09/09/16, 7:15AM CDT

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by Matthew Davis

Maple Grove won’t let loss to Osseo define season

Osseo continues to have Maple Grove’s number in football, but the Crimson can still keep the first game of the season in perspective.

“In the end, we’ve got to focus on going to state and win a state championship,” Crimson senior running back Isaac Collins said. “We’ve just got to put this loss behind us.”

Moreover, they just played the first game. Add a week less of practice, an early start date, a windy day and a young defense to the equation too for a Maple Grove program that has been in the last two state tournaments.

Improving a young defense that gave up 22 points and 157 yards by Prince Kruah means work to be done for the Crimson beyond week one. All the other factors will pass.

“I think we have a long way to go,” Crimson coach Matt Lombardi said. “Osseo deserved to win the game. I thought they played much more physical and did what was necessary to win.”

Maple Grove’s best defensive stand of the day perhaps came early in the second half when the Orioles went three-and-out. Crimson quarterback Brad Davison then led a drive to tie the game at 15-15.

Collins ran through the Osseo defense the best he had all day, and Davison ran it in three yards for the touchdown. Collins had the team’s other TD in the first half when they took an 8-7 lead, their only lead of the day.

“Osseo won the game because every time we scored, they answered with a score, and when you’re able to do that, usually you’re going to win,” Lombardi said.

After tying the game, Crimson defense couldn’t contain Osseo’s power ground game, especially on third and fourth down. It led to the Orioles controlling the clock for the second half and only needing one more score to seal the victory. Also of note, the Crimson did not create any turnovers.

Lombardi said his team’s play, “isn’t our style. They’ll see that on film, and I think it’ll be a great film session for us because it’ll look that way to them too, and they’ll go, ‘oh, now I understand.’”

Maple Grove will need a different performance in order to beat their next opponent on Friday, Hopkins. The Royals crushed Coon Rapids 42-14. An ample core of talent returns this season for a Royals team that took second in the Lake Conference at 3-1 behind none other than four-time defending state champion Eden Prairie.

“Hopkins is always unbelievably skilled, and they’re big up front too,” Lombardi said.

The Crimson and Royals kick off at 7 p.m. in Maple Grove.


Brad Davison scores a game-tying touchdown for Maple Grove in the third quarter against Osseo on Saturday, Aug. 22. (Photo by Rich Moll – richmollphotography.com)


Maple Grove’s Isaac Collins scored a touchdown for the Crimson to give the team their only lead of the day against Osseo. (Photo by Rich Moll – richmollphotography.com)


Crimson defensive back Will Ampe attempts to make a stop on Osseo wide receiver Martelius Hughes. (Photo by Rich Moll – richmollphotography.com)