WINNIPEG — Even after two shutout victories in the books, Eden Prairie football coach Mike Grant on Friday night couldn’t find it in him to relax. On the road with 75 rambunctious teenagers amped up about their victories, Grant had bed checks to administer. Later, there was film to watch.
It was well past 1:30 a.m. when he finally hit the sack, and eight hours later he dolled out final details for the team’s trip back home.
“When that bus finally pulls back into the school parking lot,” Grant said with a heavy sigh, “I’ll evaluate everything.”
Through breakfast Saturday, the trip couldn’t have been much smoother.
The victories make Eden Prairie the only 2-0 team in the state, that record possible because the Eagles played a doubleheader in Manitoba to open the season.
Though both games were shutouts, each carried valuable moments beyond the final score.
Most importantly, Eden Prairie — which dressed and used two full varsity rosters for its games — came away nearly injury-free. A sprained ankle here and there is nothing to a team already without fullback Stephen Hari (separated shoulder) and kicker David Platner (broken collarbone) because of previous injuries.
“I’d say we are a better team than when we came up here,” said senior quarterback Brian Athey, who passed for a pair of touchdowns in Friday’s 33-0 victory over Oak Park. “We have some confidence. A lot of guys played and everyone worked hard.”
The players who pitched in for the Eagles’ 49-0 victory over Vincent Massey earlier in the day will mostly spend the rest of the season as backups.
Grant’s late-night film session, however, is evidence that some of those players have upped their standing on the depth chart.
“Generally positive,” Grant said. “A lot of kids in there that are really going to be good players for us. A lot of them will see time on special teams, maybe even start.”
[URL]http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps/102230144.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
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