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Eden Prairie blanks Minnetonka, takes top position in West Metro South

By Trevor Squire, SportsEngine, 09/30/16, 1:30PM CDT

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An opening touchdown and a closing extra point from Kyle Connelly were enough for the Eagles.


Eden Prairie running back Solo Falaniko leaves a defender behind in the No. 3-6A Eagles' 20-0 shutout of No. 6-6A Minnetonka Friday night. Photo by Trevor Squire, SportsEngine


Kyle Connelly (4) caught a team-high four passes for 111 yards in the Eagles' win. Photo by Trevor Squire, SportsEngine

As a two-year starter for Eden Prairie, Kyle Connelly’s experience has allowed him to play many roles for the Eagles.

The senior has lined up at defensive back, wide receiver, punt returner, and most recently, place kicker on Friday night in Eden Prairie's homecoming game versus Minnetonka.

Antonio Montero was already prepping for kickoff after an Eagles coach on the sideline called for a two-point conversion following Devan Greene Jr.’s second touchdown.

Coach Mike Grant changed his mind on the PAT, which spurred Connelly to run on to the field and become the kicker. He converted the extra point to ice a 20-0 shutout over the Skippers.

“Connelly had messed around during the week (kicking field goals) in practice, so we went with it,” Grant said. “I wish it was more thoughtful than that, but it was kind of blind luck.”

Connelly managed to score the game’s first and final points, the first being much more crucial as Minnetonka (4-1, 3-1) had shut out all competitors in the first quarter entering Friday’s game.

After making two short catches in the game’s opening drive, Connelly beat man coverage and scorched downfield to catch a 28-yard touchdown pass from Cole Kramer that capped a seven-minute drive for the Eagles.

Connelly knows he has to make the most of his chances when being a member on an offense that involves a variety of players at each position.

“Everyone knows they have a job to do and you go out there and do your job,” he said. “We’re not a team that’s going to go out and showboat. We’re strictly business”

Ranked third in the Associated Press Class 6A state high school football poll, Eden Prairie (4-1, 4-0) committed to its notoriously-dominant run game after the initial score over the No. 6-6A Skippers.

Connelly visited Wisconsin in the offseason, where his older brother and former Eagles linebacker Ryan in his second year with the Badgers.

Kyle was on the freshman team during his Ryan's senior year at Eden Prairie, and he hopes to be a teammate with his brother next season.

“I never got the chance to [play on the same team] growing up, so it’d mean the world to me to get two years with [Ryan],” Kyle said.

Despite interest from several schools, Connelly’s focus is on the present season as the Eagles seek to get back into state title contention.

“I’m in high school," he said. "This is my senior year so I’m focused on a state championship and we’ll figure that out after the season."

Unlike the eight undefeated teams Grant's coached to the a state championship, this year’s team has a unique vendetta against No. 1-6A Totino-Grace, which defeated the Eagles in last year's state quarterfinals and in the season-opener this fall.

“That first loss we had is what keeps us grinding,” Connelly said. “We’re just going to continue the season and hope to see them in the playoffs.”
 


Minnetonka's Gus Steiger (5) takes a carry outside for the Skippers. Photo by Trevor Squire, SportsEngine

First Report

Devan Green Jr. tallied two rushing touchdowns while Kyle Connelly caught a touchdown from Cole Kramer in the Eagles’ 20-0 victory over Minnetonka Friday night at Eden Prairie High School.

Ranked third in the Associated Press Class 6A state high school football poll, the Eagles (4-1, 4-0) remain atop the West Metro District South Division standings after dealing the No. 7-6A Skippers (4-1, 3-1) their first loss of the season.

Connelly caught four passes for 111 yards in the first half, including a 28-yard fade in the end zone on fourth down.

Minnetonka quarterback Garrett Olson completed 12 of 20 passes for 120 yards.
 

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