The defense recorded another shutout and the offense exploded for over 500 yards to lead Maple Grove to a 35-0 Section 5 football win over Coon Rapids Oct. 24.

The Crimson defense allowed just 70 yards rushing and 12 yards passing on one completion. They have shutout four of their past five opponents.

Safety Adam Brant led the D with 11 tackles and corner Lukas Burrington recorded 10. Grant Hemze had nine tackles and a tackle for loss, Kraig Urquhart had a sack and four tackles and Sam Franta came up with the key interception in the second quarter.

Offensively, the Crimson gained over 500 yards in total offense with great balance. Quarterbacks Brad Davison completed 12 of 14 passes for a career-high 298 yards. He tossed touchdown passes to Kyle Anderson (35 yards), Eddie Lee (30 yards) and Brant (74 yards). Clark Wieneke opened scoring with a four-yard TD run and Isaac Collins added a six-yard score.

Brant had over 130 yards receiving, Wieneke gained 140 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown.

Maple Grove, now 8-1, next hosts White Bear Lake for the section crown at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. The Bears have a sub-.500 overall record (3-5) but Crimson coach Matt Lombardi stresses that they cannot be taken lightly because they are coming off a huge upset of perennial state power Cretin Derham Hall.

Last season, the Crimson hosted the section championship game and held off Minnetonka in a memorable game to reach the state tournament. This year they are eager to repeat and go further.

“I hope they come into every year with high expectations,” Lombardi said. “They have dreams of playing into late November. That’s kind of what we’ve been from the get-go and now is our chance to see if we can execute or not.”