Eden Prairie’s defense nearly perfect in battle of one versus two
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September 28, 2018 – that was the last time anyone held the Lakeville South Cougars to single digits. The Eagles’ defense was nearly perfect in a battle of number one Lakeville South and number two Eden Prairie. They held the…
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Continue ReadingSeptember 28, 2018 – that was the last time anyone held the Lakeville South Cougars to single digits. The Eagles’ defense was nearly perfect in a battle of number one Lakeville South and number two Eden Prairie. They held the Cougars’ explosive offense to one touchdown, and the Eagles’ defense set up the game’s first score. They put on a defensive clinic in front of a packed house at Eden Prairie High School and likely grabbed the number one ranking in the state with a 21-6 victory.
The Cougars’ offense had picked up a couple of first downs during their first possession. They were near the red zone but faced a fourth and short. They had already converted a fourth and short earlier in the drive, but this time, Eden Prairie defensive tackle Muhammad Saine beat his man off the snap, got into the backfield, and stuffed the fourth down run for a loss.
The Eagles’ would mishandle a snap after the turnover on downs, and South linebacker Wyatt Ronn Wyatt Ronn 5'11" | 225 lbs | OL Lakeville | 2023 MN would scoop up the ball and return it to the EP 25-yard line.
Early on, it looked like South had the upper hand. Then, Eagles’ defensive back Devin Jordan Devin Jordan 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN made the game’s biggest play. He looked like he dropped into a short zone, and the quarterback must not have seen him because the pass hit Jordan right in the numbers. He would take the pick back about 80 yards, getting dropped inside the five-yard line. One play later, Dominic Heim Dominic Heim 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Eden Prairie | 2024 State MN scored – untouched – from two yards out.
Big plays on defense by Adam Mertens Adam Mertens 6'4" | 200 lbs | LB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN and Heim would key the next defensive stop.
The Eagles’ offense looked like they were about to go three and out. They were facing third and long from inside their own twenty-yard line, but instead of playing it safe, Mike Grant’s offense rolled the dice. Off a play-action fake, quarterback Nick Fazi Nick Fazi 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN went up top and hit a streaking Michael Gross Michael Gross 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN in stride down the sidelines. Eighty-five yards later, Eden Prairie had a two-score lead.
With both offenses not known for the passing game, South rolled the dice on a fourth down and went up top – with explosive results. The Eagles’ defense was giving up yards, but they had avoided the explosive running plays that have become a staple of the Cougars’ offense. Quarterback Jacob Royse Jacob Royse 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Lakeville South | 2023 State MN threw deep down the middle to Jay Winters. Winters used all of his 5’10” height and reach to grab the pass for a 30-yard touchdown.
The defenses would continue to dominate on both sides. Neither team would threaten to score until late in the third quarter. The Eagles’ offense finally put together a solid drive – in typical Eagles’ fashion. They pounded the ball at the Cougars’ defense. Mostly on the ground, the Eagles’ kept moving the chains until Jordan got around the corner and picked up big yards inside the five-yard line. Tyler Walden Tyler Walden 6'2" | 210 lbs | RB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN finished the drive with a short touchdown run, and the Eagles’ fans could taste it.
The Eden Prairie defense took it from there. Like most of the game, they gave up some yards, but when the chips were down, they came up with the play they needed. Jordan was the last guy who could prevent a big gain from star running back Carson Hansen Carson Hansen 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Lakeville South | 2023 State MN – but like most of the game – the Eagle defender made the play – forcing a punt.
“We had a great defensive effort the whole game,” Eagles’ defensive end Chiddi Obiazor Chiddi Obiazor 6'6" | 220 lbs | DL Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN said. “We played for each other. We gave up that one pass, but I felt like their offense was not getting any drive. We had to shut down Carson Hanson, and we did that.”
South looked like they were finally wearing out the Eagles’ defensive line. They were picking up chunks of yardage on the ground and were moving the EP defensive line visibly off the line of scrimmage. One last time – the front seven bowed its collective back. Defensive tackle Will Sather Will Sather 6'0" | 270 lbs | OL Eden Prairie | 2024 State MN exploded into the backfield and met the quarterback and running back as they tried to execute a handoff. He caused a fumble, and although the Cougars got on the fumble, they lost ten yards. On fourth and a mile, linebacker Adam Mertens Adam Mertens 6'4" | 200 lbs | LB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN sacked the quarterback – effectively ending the game. The Cougars would not see the ball again as EP’s offense ran out the clock to preserve the 21-6 victory.