Defending Class 6A state champion Eden Prairie capped a successful first week of the football regular season with a 53-17 victory over Oak Park (Manitoba) at Eden Prairie on Saturday.

The victory was the second in three days for the Eagles, who opened the season on Wednesday with a 48-6 victory over Minneapolis South.

Against Oak Park, the Eagles returned two interceptions (by J.D. Spielman and Matt Carson) and a kickoff (by Davon Bryant) for touchdowns in the first half en route to a 47-7 lead.

Will Rains caught a TD pass and rushed for a TD for the Eagles.

Oak Park and the Eagles played in Winnipeg in 2010. The Eagles won 33-0.

Late Friday

The Gophers opened the volleyball season with a victory Friday, defeating Notre Dame 3-0 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge at the Sports Pavilion.

The Gophers, ranked 12th in the nation, won the sets 26-24, 27-25, 25-18.

The Gophers' Paige Tapp had six kills, hit .600 in 10 attempts and had seven blocks, all career highs. Daly Santana had 13 kills in 37 swings, two aces, five digs and a match-high 16.5 points. Katie Schau had a match-high 28 assists, four digs and three blocks. The Gophers hit .184 to Notre Dame's .106 and outblocked the Irish 13.5-11.5.

Attendance was announced at 3,018 Friday.

Etc.

The 21st Festival of Champions is Sunday at Canterbury Park in Shakopee.

There are 11 races offering purses of $564,000 for Minnesota-bred horses. Post time is 12:45 p.m.

Adult admission is $8. Children 17 and under get in free.