High School Football Playoffs: Maple Grove cruises past Eden Prairie

The Maple Grove Crimson defeated the Eden Prairie Eagles 35-3 on Thursday night, at U.S. Bank Stadium, in the Class 6A semifinals.

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In the first quarter, Maple Grove’s quarterback was attempting to scramble for a first down but fumbled. Eden Prairie senior Logan Gareis recovered for the Eagles. The turnover set up a field goal for Eagle senior Cole Nelson, who nailed it to make it 3-0 Eden Prairie with 2:54 left in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Crimson junior quarterback Jacob Kilzer hit junior Jacob Anderson for a 33-yard touchdown catch to make it 7-3 Maple grove with 8:48 left in the first half.

The Eagles were driving on their ensuing possession, but Crimson senior Jackson Powers ended the drive with an interception. Maple Grove would then score on a 77-yard touchdown run by senior Derrick Jameson to make it 14-3 Maple Grove with 5:03 left in the first half.

On the ensuing Eagle possession, the Eden Prairie quarterback mishandled the snap, leading to a fumble that was picked up by Maple Grove’s Anderson, who would return the fumble for a touchdown-his second of the half-making it 21-3 Maple Grove with 2:54 remaining in the first half.

Eden Prairie received the ball to begin the second half. But, on the second play of the possession, the ball was again fumbled. Again, the Crimson scooped it up and scored, this time by senior Kiers Brevik, to make it 28-3 with 11:27 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Crimson put the proverbial nail in the coffin when Jameson scored his second rushing touchdown of the game to make it 35-3 Maple Grove with just 5:45 left in the game.

The Class 6A Championship game is on Friday, November 26, at 7:00 p.m., inside of U.S. Bank Stadium.