Eden Prairie routs Totino-Grace again, advances to 6A Prep Bowl

Eden Prairie football coach Mike Grant felt before the season started that this team could be his best yet.

Friday's 47-22 rout of Totino-Grace in a Class 6A semifinal game at the Metrodome means the only remaining doubters reside in Rosemount.

Top-ranked Eden Prairie (11-0), marching toward a third-consecutive state championship, advances to the Prep Bowl championship game against Rosemount (11-1) at 7 p.m. Nov. 29.

"You hear about[the Irish] all year so it's exciting to finally get to go up against them on the field," Eden Prairie offensive lineman Robert Olson said.

Eden Prairie players took turns in the spotlight as the Eagles built a commanding 34-7 halftime lead over No. 9 Totino-Grace (9-3).

Eden Prairie's first drive — 10 plays, nine for runs totaling 60 yards — owed to superior offensive line play and running back Anthony Anderson. His touchdown made it 7-0.

Starting from its 7-yard line, Totino-Grace answered with a 93-yard scoring drive featuring a 45-yard run by Kez Flomo. Lance Benick took a direct snap for a 3-yard score.

Quarterback Ryan Connelly ran for gains of 13 and 23 yards and threw a big block on a reverse for the go-ahead touchdown. Showcasing his arm on the first play of the next drive, Connelly found Gamiel Hall for a 37-yard score.

"We definitely knew if we came out and answered again quickly that they would just give up," Connelly said.

An Eden Prairie interception set up a 32-yard scoring burst from Charlie Venable. Dan Fisher finished another grinding drive with 1-yard TD run, making it 34-7 with 13 seconds left in the first half.

Totino-Grace, a seven-time state champion since 2003 in the second-to-largest class, never recovered.

"We just couldn't withstand them," Totino-Grace coach Jeff Ferguson said. "They just put their will on you. We need 13 guys."