On the first drive of the game, Edina's Matt Cavanagh (34) broke a tackle attempt by Minnetonka cornerback JJ Schechtman (8), opening up a path the the end zone for a touchdown. Photo: Aaron Lavinsky * aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com
After Edina decisively defeated Minnetonka on Friday, it’s clear the Hornets are relishing their new-found reputation as a hard-nosed, tough-guy football team.
Running back Matt Cavanagh ran 68 yards for a touchdown run on the Hornets’ second offensive play of the game en route to a 21-point first quarter — more than they had scored in any game this season — to key a 21-7 victory over the No.4-ranked Skippers.
“The hole opened up, I saw the green grass and I just ran,” said Cavanagh, who finished with 181 yards and two touchdowns. “We knew what we could do and that’s what we did.”
Edina coach Derrin Lamker called the Harvard-bound Cavanagh “one of the best football players I’ve ever coached.”
“He played almost every play tonight in big-time, big-boy 6A football: Offense, defense, kick return, punt return,” Lamker said. “He’s not the fastest, but he’s got game speed. When it’s game time, he knows how to hammer the game.”
Edina scored 21 points in the first quarter – more than it had scored in any game this season – then held on to defeat mistake-prone Minnetonka 21-7.
Matt Cavanagh scored on a 68-yard run on Edina’s second play from scrimmage Friday at Kuhlman Stadium, igniting the Hornets’ three-touchdown outburst. Cavanagh finished with 156 yards and two touchdowns running for Edina (5-1).
Minnetonka (4-2) contributed to the Hornets' early lead, sandwiching a pair of fumbles around back-to-back three-and-out possessions.
Check back later for more on the game.