In a clash of running teams on Friday night in Shakopee, the Eden Prairie Eagles faced off against the undefeated fifth-ranked Shakopee Sabers, suffering a 28-7 defeat. The Eagles, who came into the game ranked sixth in the Star Tribune’s Metro poll, had accumulated 770 rushing yards over their first three outings but struggled defensively, allowing Shakopee to amass 313 rushing yards.
The Sabers’ running back TJ Clark led the charge with 126 yards on 19 carries, marking their fourth consecutive victory. Eden Prairie’s Jeremy Fredericks managed 49 yards on 10 attempts and scored the lone touchdown for the Eagles.
Shakopee set the tone early, with Zach Docteur scoring on a 22-yard run to cap an 11-play opening drive, giving them a 7-0 lead. The Eagles responded promptly after a solid return by Braden Cole, and after a series of effective runs, Fredericks narrowed the gap with a touchdown late in the first quarter, tying the game at 7-7.
Despite strong defensive plays, including a late first-half interception by Isaiah Hazecamp, Eden Prairie struggled to maintain any momentum in the second half. A series of third-down conversions by Shakopee helped them regain control, leading to two more touchdowns from Clark and Emmanuel Taye’s explosive 79-yard run, sealing the victory.
Eden Prairie’s offense was inconsistent, with quarterback Jackson Bakkum completing just 7 of 12 passes for 25 yards. Linebackers Hazecamp and Luke Henry led the defense with seven and six tackles, respectively. After the game, head coach Mike Grant emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “We just have to play better.”
With this defeat, Eden Prairie’s record stands at 2-2, while Shakopee remains undefeated at 4-0. The Eagles will look to bounce back next week when they host Wayzata at Aerie Stadium.