Sophomore Steph Olson's 2-yard touchdown run in overtime pulled the Blaze within one of Eagan, creating a difficult decision for Blaze coach Tyler Krebs.
Or not.
"We were going for two," he said. "We knew it right away."
Olson got the call again and plunged in just as rain began to fall, giving the Blaze a 21-20 overtime victory against South Suburban Conference rival Eagan in the season opener for both teams on Friday at Eagan High School.
Overtime almost didn't happen for the Blaze.
After Burnsville quarterback Kamal Martin executed a perfect naked bootleg to score from the 4-yard line in the second quarter, the Blaze missed the extra point and trailed by one.
In the third quarter, senior captain Brett Shepley had another near miss for Burnsville.
Shepley ran a fade route down the left sidelines and Martin dropped in a perfect pass to him. Shepley was on his way to a 76-yard scoring play but began celebrating a touchdown before he reached the end zone and fumbled the ball.
He got to the 1-yard line and pumped his arms in excitement. The ball fell to the ground and he fell on it for the score.
"I had to impress the ladies," Shepley said.
However, he did not impress his teammates.
"I saw him drop it and was like 'Shep, Shep, Shep,' " senior defensive lineman Andy Grahn said. "But then he fell on it and I was like, 'OK, he has it, we are good."
Shepley's touchdown catch accounted for most of his 87 receiving yards, which led all receivers.
Shepley, who also plays linebacker, is not considered one of Martin's primary targets. Still, he had the game's biggest reception.
"I thought at first I was going to have to dive for it because Martin has such a good arm," Shepley said. "As it was coming down I just reached my arms out and got it."
As far as celebrating before he scores, Shepley will make sure he crosses the line first from now on.
"I learned my lesson, and it won't happen again," he said.
Martin completed only three passes, but had 130 yards through the air. He also led the Blaze in rushing with 50 yards and a touchdown.
His counterpart, Eagan's Sam Zenner, had 77 passing yards and one interception. He also led the Wildcats in rushing with 160 yards on 22 attempts.
Senior Tyler Brown had a pair of 3-yard touchdown runs for Eagan including one in overtime. He would have had a 45-yard touchdown run but a holding penalty negated the score.
Penalties and turnovers plagued the Wildcats. They had three fumbles and one interception. Penalties also halted several drives.
The Blaze were not immune to turnovers, committing three themselves.
"We were pretty sloppy at times," Grahn said. "This one could have been over a lot sooner, but we see the sunshine over there on the scoreboard."
Burnsville will be at home next Friday to host Farmington (0-1), while Eagan will travel to Wayzata (1-0).
