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Eden Prairie throttles Wayzata in Metro West subdistrict blowout

By Ricky Campbell, SportsEngine, 09/22/17, 6:30PM CDT

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Solofa Falaniko scored three touchdowns to help the No. 1-6A Eagles outscore the Trojans 41-0 in the first half.


Eden Prairie running back D.J. Johnson breaks free from a Wayzata defender in second quarter action at Eden Prairie High School. The Eagles went on to win 41-7 on Friday. Photo by Brian W Nelson, SportsEngine

For Eden Prairie, this year is about family and preparation. That family, which includes the scout team for the undefeated Eagles, is treating every Friday night like a happy holiday.

The Eagles, ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, steamrolled visiting Metro West subdistrict foe Wayzata 41-7, leaning heavily on a defense that allowed a total of 102 yards and an offense that scored all of its points in the first half.

Both coach Mike Grant and junior quarterback Cole Kramer said the Eagles’ scout team did its job in helping the starting players dismantle a struggling Wayzata team under first-year head coach Lambert Brown. 

“We played with high energy and our offensive line played great,” Grant said. “What a championship team has to learn is, week after week, bring that type of intensity.

“Our scout team did a great job of simulating that offense… our kids knew exactly where to play, and they played fast,” Grant added.

This is an Eden Prairie (4-0, 1-0) team that fell short in last year’s 28-20 state championship loss to Totino-Grace. But this year’s Eagles are only allowing their opponents 6.7 points each game. The most points the Eagles have yielded in a game this season was 13 to then No. 2-ranked Lakeville North back in Week 2.

Kramer finished the night 5 for 7 in passing with 101 yards and two touchdowns, connecting once with senior tight end Will Sather from 15 yards out, and another to senior running back Solofa Falaniko. Kramer has seven touchdowns this season on 387 yards.

Falaniko, who sat out most the second half, had another big night, with 111 yards rushing on 11 carries and two touchdowns. He has 344 yards rushing this season. Antonio Montero got the Eagles on the board first, and finished the night with two touchdowns on three carries for 18 yards.

“It’s everything,” Kramer said when asked what is working best for the Eagles. “It’s Coach Grant, obviously. It feels like family out there. Our scout team just does so well in preparing us.”

Wayzata (1-3, 0-3) struggled in the first half, gaining a mere 39 yards. One play, a 27-yard pass from junior quarterback Marco LoPesio to senior receiver Charles Engdahl, was the only time the Trojans moved the chains in the first 24 minutes.

After the break, however, Wayzata came out running. Deshawn Cockrell, who finished the night with 24 yards on 16 carries, kept the chains moving for the re-energized Trojans. Junior receiver Brody Bjork capitalized on the new momentum, scoring Wayzata's lone touchdown from five yards out.

Sophomore running back Christian Vasser added 48 yards on 10 carries.

Wayzata's only victory this year came Week 1 at home against Rosemount, where the Trojans lost their starting quarterback to an injury in the final minutes. Friday's loss to Eden Prairie is the sixth straight for Wayzata in the match-up, including a 41-0 stomping last year.

But the win doesn't mean the Eden Prairie family can relax for a vacation. Grant said watching film and getting back to practice starts again for their next game at Maple Grove. 

And for Kramer and his view of the family?

"It's playing with these guys on this field," he said after the homecoming win. "There's nothing like it."

First Report

Eden Prairie steamrolled Wayzata 41-7 on Friday night thanks, in part, to a strong defensive showing that limited the Trojans to 102 total yards, with most of it coming in the second half.

Eden Prairie (4-0, 1-0), ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Class 6A poll, dominated on both sides of the ball.

Junior quarterback Cole Kramer finished the night 5-for-7 passing with 101 yards and two touchdowns -- 15-yarders to senior tight end Will Sather and senior running back Solofa Falaniko. Falaniko had another big night, with 111 yards rushing on 11 carries and two more TDs.

Wayzata (1-3, 0-3) gained steam after halftime, leaning heavily on its running backs. Deshawn Cockrell finished the night with 24 yards on 16 carries, while Christian Vasser rushed for 48 yards on 10 carries. 

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