Lakeville North boasted one of the best defenses in the state last year, but was twice stifled by Eden Prairie's offense. Despite allowing just 5.5 points per game to all other opponents, the Panthers defense gave up a whopping 38 points per game in two meetings with the Eagles.
Lakeville North (1-0) has plenty of motivation to bounce back from those two ugly losses, which includes a 35-0 shutout in last fall’s Class 6A state quarterfinals.
The Panthers return two anchors of last year's defense in twin brothers Will and Eli Mostaert. The brothers, who are North Dakota State commits, play both defensive line and linebacker, and each had 12 tackles for a loss last year.
Offensively, Lakeville North leans on senior running back Brian Curtis Jr., who finished with 154 yards in a 30-6 win over Burnsville Aug. 30.
Eden Prairie’s offense is led by senior quarterback Cole Kramer, a Gopher commit who completed 11 for 13 passes for 247 yards and five touchdowns against Lakeville North in two games last year. Kramer scored a touchdown in the Eagles' 14-9 season debut win at Eastview on Aug. 30.