Eden Prairie defies its football critics

With its large enrollment, pristine campus and wealth of amenities for athletic teams, Eden Prairie is something of a college among mere high schools.

It's only fitting the Eagles' football success is measured in similar ways. Defeat Eastview by four points? Hopkins by six in the regular-season finale? Just as a college football team would endanger its ranking with such narrow outcomes, so, too, has Eden Prairie's dominance been questioned.

Shrugging off a number of football observers and fans eager to point out their perceived vulnerability, the top-ranked Eagles (8-0) open the 32-team Class 6A playoffs in pursuit of a fourth consecutive big-school championship.

Only two schools, in any class, have won four or more consecutive titles: Mahnomen with four in then-Class C (1990-93) and Stephen-Argyle Central with five in Nine-man (2003-07). Eden Prairie, the No. 1 seed in Section 6, plays host to Shakopee (2-6) at 7 p.m. Friday.

"People like to rip us whenever we do badly or not as good as we're supposed to against some teams, but we come out with the win and that's what really matters," said Will Rains, the talented running back who transferred from Eastview for his senior year. His 23 touchdowns lead the Eagles this season.

Skeptics sense blood is in the water, given Eden Prairie's performance against perceived weaker opponents. The Eagles trailed after three quarters before edging Eastview 19-15. The game against Hopkins got tight as the Royals completed their fourth scoring pass late in a 34-28 loss.

But hiccups are nothing new to Eden Prairie's recent championship teams. The 2011 team lost 9-0 to Wayzata. The 2012 team ended the regular season with consecutive losses, including another shutout by Wayzata.

The Class 6A field includes second-ranked Rosemount, last year's runner-up, and East Ridge, led by Oregon-bound junior quarterback Seth Green. Maple Grove, Mounds View, Osseo and Totino-Grace all have enjoyed strong seasons as well.

But Eden Prairie is rolling once again. The Eagles won all eight games by an average score of 36.5-14.8. Both numbers are consistent with the three previous championship teams.

"A lot of people are putting off this team, but we always talk about how we're just as good as we were last year," senior linebacker Bill Koop said. "This year, yeah, we've had some shaky games, but we haven't lost. We don't have the talent like we did last year, but we have that mind-set that we will win."

The Eastview victory sharpened players' focus. The Eagles strutted in sporting headbands, arm sleeves, towels and extra tape. Then the game started, the shoulder pads cracked and the education began.

"Eastview was the first hard-hitting game of the year," Rains said. "We were not ready for that."

The closer-than-expected game against Hopkins renewed the message board chatter about Eden Prairie's playoff chances. Grant said he doesn't read critiques from anonymous posters but knows the perception.

"Hopkins probably has the most talent of anyone we've seen," Grant said. "Their skill level is off the chart. But we rushed for 320 yards. I don't know who lives in the world where you think you're just going to dominate everybody, but we don't.

"Do I think we're as talented as we've been? No. But we tell the kids, 'It doesn't mean you can't play great.' "