Maple Grove gets another crack at Eden Prairie on Friday.

Thirty-three consecutive teams, including the Crimson, had their shot fell short in the past four years. Maple Grove football players had a heartbreaking state tournament loss to Eden Prairie last year fresh in their memories still.

Kyle Anderson put the Crimson up early in last year’s playoff game with the Eagles, and the lead held until a tying score in the third. Then, the Eagles escaped as they did all season last year in the fourth quarter with a 13-7 defeat of the Crimson.

Maple Grove will face an even more formidable Eagles squad at 7 p.m. on Friday. The Eagles have steamrolled Totino-Grace 38-20, Edina 41-7 and Hopkins 56-21.

With a strong past two weeks on offense, the Crimson could keep things going against an Eagles squad that allowed three touchdowns in two of their three games. The Crimson put up 34 points at home against Edina on Thursday, Sept. 3 after posting 44 in a win over Hopkins the week before.

Isaac Collins and Ryan Hanscome spearheaded another strong performance for the Crimson running attack with 255 combined yards. Collins ran for 161 and scored three TDs. He averaged 9.5 yards on 17 carries. Hanscome showed how he can shoulder the rushing load with 21 carries for 94 yards.

Brad Davison did well in the passing attack with 10-15 throwing for 162 yards, two TDs and on interception. Will Reul caught a 27-yard TD pass in the second half, and Will Ampe grabbed a 27-yarder to put the Crimson ahead to stay 13-10 in the second quarter.

Ampe averaged 32 yards per catch on his two receptions in the contest. Jared Martinson led the receiving with four catches and 47 yards, an 11.8-yard average. Collins also helped in the passing game with two receptions for 13 yards.

While the Crimson offense continues to click, the team’s defense continues to grow.