Eden Prairie made sure Prior Lake never got a chance to hurt its No. 1 ranking. The No. 3-ranked Lakers had only one possession in the first quarter and never held the ball for a possession of more than three and half minutes throughout a 35-21 defeat on Friday night.
The Eagles, on the other hand, scored on three consecutive drives in the first half and 90 seconds after the Lakers first touchdown and sign of any life.
Much of Eden Prairie’s offense was done in the air early in the game. Quarterback Ryan Connelly threw two touchdown passes in the first half to Gamiel Hall and Josh Lanasa. Anthony Anderson provided most of the Eagles’ big running bursts.
Blake Weber scored all three of the Lakers' touchdowns.
Recap: Prior Lake’s two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter helped the final score portray a more competitive game, but the Eagles were always in control. Much of Eden Prairie’s offense was done through the air early in the game. Quarterback Ryan Connelly threw two touchdown passes in the first half to Gamiel Hall and Josh Lanasa. Anthony Anderson provided most of the Eagles’ big running bursts. He totaled 99 yards in the first half.
Key of the game: After Prior Lake opened the second half with an 82-yard scoring drive, Eden Prairie quarterback Ryan Connelly rolled to his right found 46 yards of open field on his first rush of the game. A minute later, Connelly broke away for a big gain that would set up the Eagles’ fourth touchdown and quickly stop any hint of Laker momentum.
Quote: “That was a state championship-caliber game. Anytime you get to face a top five team, it’s a big deal. It’s a huge statement early in the season.” -- Eden Prairie senior running back Dan Fisher, who rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
One thing to know: Prior Lake scored 40 points in Week 1 against Eagan, 21 of them in the first half. The Lakers were shut out in the first half on Friday, though. The state’s top-ranked Eagles allowed 15 points in the fourth quarter, but the game was out of reach at that point.
JASON GONZALEZ