Occasionally there’s a high school football game that stirs the interest of the masses. Look no further than Friday night’s Class 5A state championship game between unbeatens Eden Prairie and Cretin-Derham Hall to find an example.
It’s the Minneapolis area versus St. Paul. It’s a game with big names, from now almost legendary coach Mike Grant of Eden Prairie to USA Today All-American Michael Floyd of Cretin-Derham Hall. Two rivals, with past games worth remembering, featuring several players that will play major college football, competing for a state title and offering contrasts in style.
Eden Prairie’s offense is a more methodical style while the Raiders often find the end zone before you can take the next bite of your hot dog. KARE TV sportscaster Randy Shaver told Sports Headliners earlier this week that the Eagles are likely to focus on their methodical ways Friday, deliberately trying to keep the Raider offense on the sidelines for long periods.
Floyd, the pass catching wonder headed to Notre Dame next year, and quarterback John Nance and running back Shady Salamon (both future Gophers) are big play guys who have earned their “flashy” reputations. Shaver said the Eagles haven’t seen the kind of speed that the Raiders possess and can’t duplicate it in practice as they prepare for Friday night’s game. The game’s outcome, he believes, may turn not only on Eden Prairie’s effectiveness in keeping the Raiders playmakers on the sidelines, but also in forcing Nance out of the pocket, making him feel pressure.
Shaver, who has studied both teams including game tapes for two-plus hours, said Nance routinely has “all sorts of time” to throw, sometimes heaving it to Floyd who simply seems to run as far as he can before his quarterback throws a long pass. Eden Prairie defensive players like star linemen Max Pryor and Willie Mobley will be chasing Nance and trying to contain the high scoring Raiders offense that produced 56 points in a semi-final win over Brainerd.
Shaver thinks the end result will be an Eden Prairie win, a close game perhaps with a final score of 27-24. He believes the Eagles have a more balanced overall team, including a sophisticated offense, led by quarterback Ryan Grant that will have success controlling the ball.
Shaver chose seven players from Eden Prairie on his all metro offensive and defensive teams, the most ever from one school in 24 years of picking post-season all-stars. Three Eagles made the defensive team and while the Raiders had three players on the offensive team, they had none on defense.
Ken Lien, another prep football expert who provided color commentary on Crystal Clear Sports Webcasts this fall, thinks Eden Prairie will win, too. Even before the playoffs began he was describing Class5A as the “shampoo tournament,” referring to how the Raiders and Eagles are “head and shoulders” better than anyone else.