Eden Prairie running back Elijah Rumph, who rushed for 155 yards on 23 carries, scored a touchdown during the second quarter in the Eagles’ dominant 40-13 victory over Prior Lake on Thursday night.
The Eden Prairie Eagles, ranked seventh, were eager to put their recent loss to then-second ranked Edina behind them. A Thursday game allowed them to return to the field sooner, and they responded with an impressive home opener at Aerie Stadium.
Head coach Mike Grant commented on the team’s spirit post-victory, noting that though a shorter week in preparation was challenging, it was beneficial to clinch a win as they focus on growth and learning.
Senior linebacker James Anderson, who contributed with three solo tackles and two assists, expressed the players’ eagerness to compete again, indicating that they were ready for the game days in advance.
Eden Prairie showcased its strength by executing a strong defense and a powerful running attack, amassing a total of 306 rushing yards. Junior quarterback Jackson Bakkum completed 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
The offensive line played a critical role, allowing Rumph and fellow running back Jeremy Frederick, who rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns, to dominate the game. The Eagles held possession for nearly 34 minutes, executing 27 first downs and converting 10 of 14 third downs and all three fourth down attempts.
The Eagles took the lead with Frederick’s 4-yard touchdown run. Gavin Walden, a 250-pound nose guard, scored another touchdown, followed by Prior Lake scoring twice, resulting in a 20-13 lead for Eden Prairie at halftime.
Eden Prairie regained momentum after halftime when senior safety Max Kukla intercepted Prior Lake quarterback Myles Greenwood, setting up an easy touchdown for Frederick, who rushed for his second touchdown. The Eagles’ defense held Prior Lake scoreless in the second half while allowing just 251 total yards and stopping them on 7 of 8 third-down attempts.
Bakkum connected with junior receiver Cooper Fahning for an 11-yard touchdown, and running back Santosh Bommareddy capped the scoring with an 18-yard run. The win marked a strong response to their previous game and set the stage as they prepare to face Shakopee, ranked sixth with an unbeaten record.
As they look ahead, Grant emphasized the importance of film study and preparation for the upcoming challenge, knowing every opponent in Class 6A poses a significant threat.