Eden Valley-Watkins/Paynesville: Game Recap

EDEN VALLEY- We checked into a 2A rivalry of two towns that lie next to each other on Hwy 55, which to me, a town’s promixity to eachother is a telling way to see what is and what isn’t a rivalry plus of course the play on the gridiron. I recall scouting these two in the section final in 2019 at St. John’s with the section championship on the line. That time, the Paynesville Bulldogs were victorious but this time, it was all Eagles.

1st Quarter

EV-W:

The first two touchdowns for both teams hit extremely quickly. I didn’t have an ideal angle for the first touchdown for Eden Valley-Watkins, but it looked like a quarterback draw for 2026 quarterback Blake Glenz, that finished on a long but quick drive as the Eagles inserted their dominance early. Eden Valley-Watkins 8, Paynesville 0

Paynesville:

The Bulldogs answered quickly with a touchdown of their own. Paynesville put together a strong drive of their own and it was 2027 quarterback Mason Hansen to 2026 wide receiver Reed Johnson for the passing touchdown. Those two had a good connection on that particular drive last night. Eden Valley Watkins 8, Paynesville 8

EV-W:

The next Eagles drive certainly started to turn the page on this game as they went up for good on this scoring drive. Who paved the way for Eden Valley-Watkins? That would be the quarterback and wide receiver duo of 2026 quarterback Blake Glenz and 2025 wide receiver Wyatt Moehrle Wyatt Moehrle 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Eden Valley-Watkins | 2025 State MN who connected on the Eagles second touchdown of the quarter as their chemistry was evolving quickly. Missed on the two points conversion, which was one of the Eagles rare missed opportunities all night. Eden Valley-Watkins 14, Paynesville 8

2nd Quarter

EV-W:

It was Blake Glenz again that found the end zone for his third total touchdown of the night as this time he fooled the Bulldogs defense on the QB option and walked into the end zone off the edge. Eden Valley-Watkins 22, Paynesville 8

EV-W:

Blake Glenz got his fourth total touchdown of the half finding a new wide target in Brayden Becker for a 60+ passing touchdown. Becker used his open field vision to break this one for a deep touchdown just proving across the board how athletic this Eagles team really is. Eden Valley-Watkins 30, Paynesville 8

EV-W:

Eden Valley-Watkins certainly did their damage to Paynesville most in the second quarter, turning a close game to a blowout very quickly as they showed off why they are the #2 ranked team in 2A. Add 2025 running back Carter Scheeler Carter Scheeler 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Eden Valley-Watkins | 2025 MN to the mix, as the young man ran with excellent finesse as we learned this summer and put that torque onto the field in his long touchdown run for the Eagles to go into halftime with a 30 point lead. Eden Valley-Watkins 38, Paynesville 8. Halftime

3rd Quarter

EV-W :

Just the versatility of this Eagles team was special to watch man, as we added another running back to the scoring mix for Eden Valley-Watkins as late in the 3rd quarter it was Max Geislinger who found the end for the Eagles final touchdown of the night. Eden Valley-Watkins 46, Paynesville 8.

4th Quarter

Paynesville:

With the game nearly over and the starters pulled from the Eagles, it was Paynesville still fighting with their starters as 2027 quarterback Mason Hansen found his second touchdown of the night to give a slight more closeness to this rivalry as border towns on Hwy 55. Eden Valley Watkins 46, Paynesville 16. Final

EV-W: The Eagles hit the road next Friday night at Royalton (1-3).

Paynesville: The Bulldogs head back home next week as St. Cloud Cathedral (2-2) comes to P-Town.