11/17/2009 10:14:00 AM Eden Prairie ends Wayzata's season
Trojan running back Chris Kroeten can’t escape from Eden Prairie defensive back Jordan Price during Wayzata’s 7-3 state quarterfinal loss Friday, Nov. 13. PHOTO: Mark Trockman
By Matt Thomas
The Wayzata Trojans went into their state quarterfinal game against the Eden Prairie Eagles giving up an average of 8.0 points per game. The Eagles weren't far behind as they were giving up an average of 8.3 points per game. A large crowd inside the Metrodome expected to see a defensive battle and that's exactly what they got.
Every yard was earned. First downs were hard to come by. And points were at a premium.
When the clock read all zeroes, the Eagles had made just enough plays to pull out a 7-3 victory to end the Trojans' season.
"Before the game I said 10 points might win it and seven did," Trojans head coach Brad Anderson said. "Unfortunately it was their seven and not our seven."
The Trojans recorded only one first down in their first six offensive possessions of the first half and were forced to punt on each occasion.
The Eagles didn't fare much better as their first four offensive possessions ended in a fumble, a turnover on downs and two punts.
As both offenses struggled, field position became a key factor. Enter Eden Prairie punter Brett Irvin.
With 10:24 remaining in a scoreless second quarter, Irvin booted a 56-yard punt that backed the Trojans up to their own seven yard line.
After two incomplete passes and a one yard running play, the Trojans were forced to punt from the eight yard line. Eagles senior Jordan Price fielded the punt at the Wayzata 37 yard line and returned it six yards to the Wayzata 31.
The Eagles utilized the excellent field position to score what turned out to be the game's only touchdown.
On the drive's sixth play, Eagles quarterback Brian Athey connected with sophomore tight end Taylor Grant on a 15-yard passing play to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead.
The Trojans got the ball back with 4:20 remaining in the first half and proceeded to go on their best drive of the game. After starting at their own 20 yard line, the Trojans drove down to the Eagles 15 yard line.
After three straight running plays failed to pick up a first down, the Trojans were forced to settle for a 25-yard field goal and a 7-3 halftime score.
Both teams missed out on chances to put points on the board early in the third quarter.
A fumble by Eagles running back Gage Shaeffer halted Eden Prairie's first drive of the second half.
The Trojans first drive of the second half may have gone a long way in deciding the outcome of the game.
After advancing the ball down to the Eden Prairie 20 yard line, the Trojans saw their drive stall. They settled for a 34-yard field goal attempt, which sailed wide left. They also lost their No. 1 wide receiver, A.J. Troup, to a leg injury on the drive.
"A.J. is just such a factor in the passing game that teams have to double team him," Anderson said. "I thought they were able to change what they were doing coverage wise to come up and pressure the line of scrimmage."
The Trojans struggled to move the ball the remainder of the second half and appeared to be dead in the water when they were backed up at their own 10 yard line needing a touchdown with 1:57 left in the game.
The first play of the drive gave Trojans fans some hope as quarterback Sasha Doran found running back Chris Kroeten open over the middle for a 45-yard gain down to the Eden Prairie 45 yard line.
Just when the Trojans looked like they might be in position to drive for the winning score, Eagles defensive back Mitch Hallstrom made the play of the game.
The Trojans tried to execute a double pass as Doran threw a lateral pass to back-up quarterback Dan Wexler.
Wexler then threw a pass down the sideline, but Hallstrom stepped in front of the pass for a game saving interception.
"It really was a flip of the coin. Either team could have won the game," Eagles head coach Mike Grant said. "It was just a break here or a break there. We made big plays when we had to and that's a credit to our team."
Wayzata actually outgained Eden Prairie in total yards, 229-167. A week after rushing for more than 300 yards against Minnetonka, the Eagles managed only 94 yards on the ground against the Trojans.
Doran finished 9-of-20 for 139 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Kroeten finished the game with 85 yards rushing on 16 carries and 44 yards receiving on three receptions.
Athey finished 9-of-16 for 63 yards with one touchdown and one interception for Eden Prairie. Taylor Grant had a team high four receptions for 31 yards and the game's only touchdown.
The Trojans will lose a large group of seniors to graduation including notable players such as Kroeten and Troup on the offensive side of the ball and linebackers A.J. Tarpley and Grant Olson on the defensive side of the ball.
"It's been fun," Kroeten said. "I've been playing with these guys for a long time. We're like a big family. It's hard knowing that I won't be able to play with them anymore."
"They had a lot on their shoulders coming back trying to defend last year's state title. The seniors really wanted to do it," Anderson said. "I thought they did a great job of leading this year. We had a lot of kids who just put their heart out there this year and I'll be sad to see them go. They have nothing to feel bad about. It's been a fun ride."
