Class AAAAAA Semifinals Maple Grove 35 Eden Prairie 3

Eden Prairie won’t have an opportunity to add to its state-best list of 11 football championships.

Maple Grove had a decisive say in that with an all-around dominant performance that featured a potent offense and big-play defense that plowed its way to a 35-3 victory over the Eagles in the Class AAAAAA semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 18 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Senior running back Derrick Jameson rushed for 134 yards on 14 carries and scored two touchdowns to power the Crimson (11-1), who scored 25 unanswered points. His 77yard dash down the near sideline in the second quarter paved the way to Maple Grove’s 21-3 lead at the ha.

Maple Grove’s defense got in the act, too, with two fumble recoveries for touchdowns. Junior Jacob Anderson had the first a 38-yard return with 2:54 left in the first half. And later, just 33 seconds into the third quarter, senior Kiers Brevik had a fumble recovery for another touchdown.

Eden Prairie (10-2) mustered just 181 yards of offense in 56 plays. Junior running back Toby Frost was held to 31 yards and junior quarterback Nick Fazi had 74 passing yards.

The victory sends Maple Grove (11-1) into the Prep Bowl Championship game for the first time in nine state tournament trips. The Crimson will face the winner between St. Michael-Albertville and Lakeville South for the big-school title on Friday, Nov. 26. Maple Grove had a 38-14 victory over St. Michael-Albertville on Oct. 15.