The Maple Grove Crimson entered last Friday’s frigid state football semifinal game at Hopkins confident that they could upset three-time defending state champion Eden Prairie. They easily could have won the game, but in the end, Eden Prairie’s power running game and big-game experience prevailed as the Eagles won 13-7 to advance to their fourth straight state championship game.

Isaac Collins of the Crimson makes a flying tackle of Eden Prairie’s Will Rains. The Crimson had their hands full trying to stop Rains, who didn’t run wild but kept gaining five, six yards all night to help Eden Prairie control the football. (Photo by Rich Moll – richmollphotography.com)

“It’s heart breaking,” Crimson coach Matt Lombardi said. “We thoroughly believed we can come in and beat Eden Prairie and the kids put every ounce with what they could. EP coach Mike Grant does such a great job. I have said many times that how they play is how we strive to become. What they do is great, to be on the field with them is great. Our kids showed they belonged but just could not make the plays to finish it off.”

The Eagles recovered the opening onside kickoff but the Maple Grove defense forced EP to three and out and Maple Grove put together an impressive 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Sophomore quarterback Brad Davison hit senior receiver Sam Franta with a 17-yard completion and later for 41 yards to put the ball in the EP 5. Three plays later senior fullback Kyle Anderson powered it in from two yards out to make it 7-0 late in the first quarter.

Eden Prairie dominated the second quarter behind its rushing game featuring the powerful Will Rains and the mercurial J.D. Spielman. They consistently picked up good yardage but the Crimson defense led by linemen Kyle Anderson, Jack Dahl-McGlone and Craig Urquhart held its ground and came up with big stops. The Eagles also made numerous mistakes with many penalties and a bad snap over the quarterback late in the half that denied them a chance to score. The Crimson held on to the 7-0 lead but the Eagles gave indication of things to come in the second half.

“Our offense could not get on the field,” Lombardi said. “Their best defense was their offense. Their offense literally controlled the ball with seven-minute possessions.”

The Eagles continued to control the ball in the second half. Spielman returned the kickoff to the MG 46 and the Eagles promptly marched down field to score on Spielman’s 15-yard touchdown run to tie the game 7-7.

Eden Prairie’s defense also stiffened. The Crimson managed several good runs by Clark Wieneke and Isaac Collins and short pass completions from Davison but they could not sustain any drives.

Maple Grove’s defense was seriously outsized but continued to hang tough. On the Eagles’ next drive, senior linebacker Chris Fondakowski delivered a hard hit to Spielman, who was injured and could not return. The Eagles punted and the Crimson put together their best drive of the second half. Davison complete a third down pass to Will Ruel for 16 yards and Wieneke broke a 20-yard run to reach the EP 40. But the drive stalled at the EP 37 and MG punted.

Asked if he considered going for the first down in that situation, Lombardi said: “It’s everything we wanted. It’s still the fourth quarter, it’s 7-7. If we could get a three and out, or even a six and out we could get the ball back near the 50. We had the field titled our way. But they did a great job.”

Crimson punter Jebah Doe hung a nice punt and Adam Brant hustled down field and downed the ball at the 2. Things looked promising for the Crimson if they could stop the Eagles. But without Spielman, the Eagles went exclusively to Rains and the 215 pounder could not be stopped. The biggest play was a fourth-and-five play near the MG 30. Instead of passing or going with a trick play, EP called an off tackle run to the left. Rains was hit after a short gain but lunged forward to get six yards and pick the up the first down. From there, the Eagles marched in and scored on quarterback Grantham Gillard’s 13-yard TD run.

“Their offense did a great job pounding the ball and Rains did a nice job of keeping his feet moving and gaining 5, 6, yards,” Lombardi said. “They came right at us. We are probably not the biggest team so they got us on our heels a little bit. They did what they needed to do to win. Shoot. You went 98 yards and pounded it down someone’s throat you deserve to win and they did.”

The Eagles missed the extra point, giving MG hopes for a comeback win, but the Eagles defense intercepted Davison twice in the Crimson’s final two possessions to seal the win.

“It’s tough to get into offensive rhythm when you can’t get on the field,” Lombardi said. “I think we only had six possessions the whole game so it’s hard to get an offensive rhythm.”

Lombardi said another factor was that the Eagles are used to playing in state tournament games and know how to come up with big plays.

“They are a team that’s there year in and year out and we are getting there,” he said. “But that’s a big hump to get over. I think they know how to win in big situations like this but we are getting there. They made enough plays to stop us and got some picks late. It’s a great growing experience for our young kids on offense. It’s a wonderful experience for them but it hurts a lot right now.”

“Eden Prairie is a well-coached, tough team,” said junior offensive tackle Kayode Awosika. “They know how to get it done.”

The  Crimson finished 9-2 overall and made their first ever state semifinal appearance.

“I can’t be prouder of this team,” Lombardi said. “Four years ago when I came this group was freshmen and they were 3-6 for three, four consecutive years. Not only did they make us a lot better team but they really changed the culture of our school in many ways. They showed they can compete with these teams and go at it and now they believe they do belong in the leagues of the Eden Prairies, the Wayzatas, the Totino Graces and the Mounds Views. And that’s all due to these kids. What they have done is unbelievable and I am very proud of them.”

The tearful Crimson lingered on the field long after the game, hugging and congratulating each on a wonderful season.

“They are moving forward as a program and they take pride in themselves,” Lombardi said. “When you see a bunch of kids in tears on the field that means it means something to them. And as a coach that means as much as anything. I think they believe they belong in one of the better programs in the state. They take pride in what they represent and that is a big thing. So they work really hard, they put their heart and soul into it. That’s why it hurts so much. We want to win a state championship. That was our goal but we came up a little short.”

“It’s a great ride,” Awosika said. “I love every single second of it with all my brothers on this team, all the fans and all the parents who have supported us. And the seniors from last year came back to support us. That meant a lot.”

Awosika is already looking forward to next season.

“I am very proud of how far we’ve come. It’s one step everyday starting in the weight room and we went a step further this year,” he said. “We will do the same thing next year and try to push us into the championship.’