Wayzata Falls to Eden Prairie in Prep Bowl Championship
Wayzata lost their first game of the year to their Lake Conference rivals, 13-3, in the state championship game. The victory gave Eden Prairie their seventh state championship. It’s their third prep bowl victory in the last six years.
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Watching the 5A state-championship game on Friday night was like watching two kids see who can hold their breath the longest. The state title would go to whoever lasted longer, and Wayzata was the first team to gasp for air.
“They just outlasted us,” Wayzata head coach Brad Anderson said. “A lot of the time in the playoffs it comes down to turnovers and who takes advantage of opportunities when they get them.”
Expectedly, most of the game was a defensive battle, with both teams hitting a brick wall of defenders once they worked their way into the red zone. It remained that way until Eden Prarie gambled on fourth down in the fourth quarter with a reverse flea flicker that got them down to the five-yard line. The Eagles scored soon after when running back Andrew Larson took the ball into the end zone, making it difficult for the Trojans to get back in the game.
Game Recap
The scoring began in the second quarter after Eden Prairie pounded the ball down the field and kicked a field goal to go ahead, 3-0. The Eagles kicked another field goal in the third quarter to go up 6-0 over Wayzata heading into the fourth quarter.
The Trojans eventually got on the board in the fourth quarter by kicking a field goal if their own and cutting the Eagle lead to three.
But Eden Prairie broke the game open with some fourth down trickery and an eventual touchdown run by running back Andrew Larson to go ahead for good, 13-3.
Patch.com Player of the Game: Andrew Larson, Eden Prairie Running Back
Larson was used all night long to pick up yards and run clock for the Eden Prairie offense. He carried the ball 33 times for 124 yards, averaging just less than four yards per carry. He also carried the football for the only touchdown of the game late in the fourth quarter, which sealed the win for the Eagles.
What the Trojans Did Well
At times the Trojans ran the ball very well, and running back Antonio Ford found his way into Eden Prairie’s defensive backfield numerous times.
Wayzata's defense also played well throughout the game. Compared to the Eagle’s offensive line, the Wayzata defense was undersized, but the Trojans showed their toughness and speed in punishing the Eden Prairie offense for most of the game.
Where the Trojans Fell Short
They seemed to get receivers open down field but failed to convert on numerous pass attempts. They also turned the ball over at crucial times in the game, and the Eagles were better at converting Trojan turnovers into points.
Jay Corn
8:17 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2011
Looked like simultaneous possession to me as well, Jeff. I would be interested to see if talk of instant replay at the prep level—at least during post season and/or Prep Bowl—bubbles up before next season. The refs have a tough job, but I think even they would concede they got the two plays you specifically mention wrong.
Steve Carlson
9:08 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2011
I agree on instant replay. Channel 45 has several camera angles available for the championship games, so implementation of a red flag challenge system should be fairly straightforward. I'm sure the referees want to get these calls right.
James "Go Wayzata" Schmidtlein
12:55 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
I don't disagree that there were some controversial calls in that game. Usually are in pretty much every game. They just get a bit more press because of the magnitude of the game and of a theoretical swing if that (or any) call went the other way. But we lose some perspective and objectivity when it is our team that seems to come out on the short end of it. That interception call could have gone either way, especially when you see it in slo-mo. You see that the EP kid had full hands on it and better position, and our Wayzata guy not so much, pretty much all the way through the reception, and the EP kid deserved the benefit of any doubt in this particular case because of his full possession and position. The dual possession plea is a cop-out for not seeing the reality of that. I agree on the bad facemask call. There were questionable calls that went our way, too. Also, being a past football coach myself, I understand the passion, but Instant replay is WAY over-the-top for high school. If you actually study the issues surrounding it, even if the technology is fully available at the high school level, you would probably see the wisdom in that. Coach Anderson is right and classy about it, that EP outlasted us. With all due respect to our players, fans and coaches, EP found a way to get the win, regardless of any single ref's call, and we didn't, so they deserve the win free-and-clear. Any other thinking would simply be subjective sour grapes and unsportsmanlike.
James "Go Wayzata" Schmidtlein
9:29 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wow. No accusations intended -- simply an opportunity for self-reflection and clarity and for putting things into perspective, and please know that I don't come from any self-righteous position -- just been around the block a few times. We're on the same side, Mr. Borchardt, though by your tone I suspect you have misinterpreted or misread the intended message and have not actually dug in and done review and research as I had recommended, though I know that takes time and patience. Also, I would submit that society and "the system" is made up of individuals, and as parents we have a responsibility to model and teach a calm perspective and true sportsmanship to our children. By your name, I am guessing that your son is one of the primary receivers for Wayzata (he's a great player by the way!), so it may be difficult to step back and look at this truly objectively for a while -- I understand that. I've had a son in a state championship as well, being on both the winning and losing sides. I wish you well in your journey of clarity, Mr. Borchardt.