Nineteen points in eight minutes – that is what Edina put up on Shakopee to start the Homecoming game for the Hornets. Edina looked every part the undefeated, highly ranked team building the lead. Then, well, they didn't.
Shakopee never threatened to win the game, and both teams slogged through three more quarters on the way to an Edina 31-14 victory.
After the defense forced a three and out to open the game; Edina took advantage of the good field position. A mix of short passes and runs set up Matt Cavanagh on a four-yard run.
It would only take one more play for Edina to widen their lead. Nick Bloom scooped up a fumble on the kickoff and ran for the second Hornets' touchdown in less than ten seconds.
Four game minutes later Edina was knocking on the door again. Quarterback Ryan Meyer worked the underneath routes all night and was the Hornets' biggest weapon on their third straight scoring drive. Anders Nelson caught a flare pass in the flat, broke a tackle and scored on a seventeen-yard touchdown catch and run. About the only thing that was not going well for the Hornets were extra points. The Hornets looked like they were going to run away with the game – which they did – but not with many style points.
“The defensive line played great,” said Bloom. “They played really selflessly. They open up holes for the linebackers to make plays.”
Bloom scored his second touchdown of the game on a five-yard run behind Weston Shively and Ben Moss just before the end of the first half.
“I think we came out in the second half and thought we had it in the bag,” offensive lineman Quinn Carroll said. “We will learn from it and come back next week ready for Tonka. I am excited to see what this team has.”
The defense was the story of the game. Shakopee scored a touchdown early in the second half to cut the lead to 25-7 and again late in the game to finish the scoring. In between, there was a lot of mistakes from both offenses, but better defense from the home team.
“Everyone maintained their gaps. Our corners played smart and didn't get beat deep,” Bloom said. “Our safeties filled well and the linebackers communicated well.”
Patrick Peterson would pick off a pass and score the second non-offensive touchdown of the game for the Hornets to put the game away.
“The defense was lights out. They have been the strength of our team,” Edina head coach Derrin Lamker said. “We get a couple of scores offensively we will hang on and battle.”
Shakopee would score a late touchdown, but it was too little too late to catch the 5-0 Edina Hornets.
