Yet, for some Maple Grove fans, the mere thought of playing Eden Prairie, the 800-pound gorilla of Minnesota high school football, is reason for concern. Could the Eagles spoil their bid for a second state title in three years?
“I’ve talked to the kids about it and they’re embracing it,” said Spurrell of the impending battle of big dogs. “Most of them only have information from last time we played Eden Prairie and we took it to them (a 35-3 Maple Grove victory in the 2021 Class 6A state semifinals). So they’re not too worried. That’s what they know. It’s mostly the parents who are nervous, because they’re aware of Eden Prairie’s reputation.”
Maple Grove head coach Adam Spurrell said this year’s team has exceeded expectations. (Cassidy Hettesheimer/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
From Spurrell’s standpoint, getting a shot at Eden Prairie falls within his master plan for Maple Grove’s future. Next year, the football program is moving from the Metro North sub district to the Metro West, which is also home to traditional powers like Minnetonka, Wayzata, Shakopee and Eden Prairie. So he’s pleased to get early exposure to an eventual rival.
“I’m happy to play Eden Prairie,” Spurrell said. “We’re going to seem them each year anyway, when we move to the West.”
In a season that has more than lived up to expectations, Spurrell is confident his team will be ready Friday. They expect to have star running back Chuck Langama, who has missed the past month with an ankle injury, back in the fold. The rest of the Crimson are healthy, largely due to their abundance of lopsided victories. Six of their wins have been by at least three touchdowns, and four by more than 40 points.
