Four consecutive Class 6A state championships and 32 consecutive victories. A powerful rushing game and a punishing defense.

The aura of dominance surrounding Eden Prairie football has been well-documented. 

But the surprising incentive that drives the Eagles, ranked No. 1 in the Class 6A poll provided by The Associated Press, may be their socks. 

Fullback Alec Hetherington and defensive back J.D. Spielman said the team plays a “Guess the Movie Quote” game each week. If a player guesses correctly, he earns a pair of socks. 

Spielman said the trivia helps keep the team loose during practice in the week leading up to games. 

“A lot of times during preparation week, everyone is tense,” Spielman said, noting that he selected the quote for this week.

“‘I don’t care about you, I don’t care about him, I don’t even care about myself,’” said Spielman, who chuckled while reciting the line from the 1992 movie “Juice."

Hetherington said the offense was prepared to answer Spielman when the quote was revealed. 

“The whole offense watched Juice last night,” Hetherington said with a laugh.

The socks may have had something to do with Hetherington’s performance on the field, as he thumped and thrashed his way to 102 rushing yards and piled up three touchdowns runs as Eden Prairie cruised past Edina 41-7 on Friday night at Aerie Stadium in Eden Prairie. 

Hetherington said there is nothing special or unique about Eden Prairie’s offense. 

“That’s just straight up Eden Prairie offense,” said Hetherington, referencing the no-frills ground attack the Eagles traditionally employ. 

Spielman burned the Edina defense for 97 yards, including 35 on a touchdown run in which he simply sped past the Hornets defenders. 

Spielman’s socks may follow him to the University of Nebraska, where he has committed to play football.

“I love (Nebraska’s) whole coaching staff, the whole program,” Spielman said.“My mom loved it too, and that was what sold it.” 

Both Hetherington and Spielman said that venerable Eden Prairie coach Mike Grant is the catalyst of the locker room atmosphere, which may come as a surprise to some based on the no-nonsense style of the play he runs with the Eagles. 

Grant has given the sock incentive his blessing and said that despite the program’s success, fun is always the top priority for Eden Prairie. 

“It has to be fun, or why are we doing it?” Grant said after the Edina game in a swarm of congratulatory fans and exuberant players. 

“Our kids have a great time.”

Alec Hetherington ran for 102 yards and three touchdowns to lead Eden Prairie to a 41-7 victory over Edina on Friday night at Aerie Stadium in Eden Prairie. 

Hetherington’s touchdowns came on runs of 1, 2 and 3 yards as the senior fullback pounded his way through the Edina (1-1) defense.

Junior quarterback Jackson Zaug found junior receiver Kyle Connelly for an 87-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to start the scoring for the Eagles (2-0), ranked No. 1 in the Class 6A rankings provided by The Associated Press.

Eden Prairie senior running back J.D. Spielman found the end zone on a 35-yard run in the third. Senior linebacker Carter Coughlin had a 6-yard TD run.

Junior receiver Parker Rickert scored the lone touchdown for the Hornets on a 7-yard run late in the fourth quarter.  

Spotlight Game Coverage