Live score recap: Maple Grove defeats Eden Prairie in Minnesota high school football playoffs (11/1/2024)

The Crimson face the Eagles in the 2024 MSHL Class 6A second round

Eden Prairie's Elijah Rumph is one of the top RBs in Minnesota in 2024 / Jeff Lawler

MAPLE GROVE, Minnesota — The No. 1-seed Maple Grove Crimson (10-0) defeated the No. 4-seed Eden Prairie Eagles (6-4) 34-0 at Maple Grove High School in the 2024 MSHSL Class 6A second round.

The Crimson led 7-0 in the first quarter when running back Charles Langama took the handoff on a sweep from the Eden Prairie 28-yard line. Langama was back from a five week absence due to an injury, but he showed no signs of rust as he ran up the field, juked multiple defenders, ran backwards, ran across the field and into the end zone. 

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The Crimson know how talented Langama is, but it was still odd to see him dance around the field. 

“You usually don’t see him cutting back because he’s usually one cut and gone,” Maple Grove quarterback Kaden Harney said. 

Eden Prairie didn’t allow Langama, or the Maple Grove offense, to be “one cut and gone,” yet it never felt like the traditionally dominant Eagles were in the same class as the Crimson on Friday. The Maple Grove offense completed three long touchdown drives to take a 21-0 lead into halftime. 

“Our magic number was three,” Maple Grove senior linebacker Jacob Wrbanek said. “If we get three stops or score three times, it’s over. We knew that they couldn’t handle us if we were up 14. We’ve seen that they can’t play from behind as well as other teams.”

Wrbanek was correct, although the Eagles’ run game improved in the second half, Eden Prairie did not have a strong enough passing attack to overcome a deficit. The Crimson defense intercepted the Eagles twice, including one for a touchdown from junior linebacker Beaux Theyn.

“Beaux has found a way to find the ball this year,” Maple Grove head coach Adam Spurrell said.

Next week, the Crimson will play No. 3-seed Edina, the team that eliminated them in the playoffs last season. While Eden Prairie is a run-heavy team, the Hornets have one of, if not the top passing offense in Minnesota. 

“I do love our defensive backs this year,” Spurrell said. “They have experience, and they know the heartache of last year, so I think they’ll be extra motivated coming into this week.”

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Maple Grove vs. Eden Prairie Live Score Updates

First Quarter Updates

Maple Grove receives the opening kick and we're underway.

TOUCHDOWN MAPLE GROVE! Kaden Harney ends the Crimson's opening drive with a 1-yard QB sneak. PAT is good. Maple Grove leads 1-0 with 7:48 remaining.

TOUCHDOWN MAPLE GROVE! Running back Charles Langama with one of the more impressive runs you'll see. He takes a sweep up field, jukes two defenders and reverses field for a 28-yard touchdown score. Maple Grove leads 14-0 with 23 seconds remaining.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Maple Grove 14, Eden Prairie 0

Second Quarter Updates

TOUCHDOWN MAPLE GROVE! Langama finishes another long drive with a 20-yard touchdown run. Maple Grove leads 21-0 with 4:36 remaining.

HALFTIME: Maple Grove leads 21-0.

Some halftime stats: Maple Grove has 145 rushing yards and 110 passing yards and 10 first downs. Eden Prairie has 67 rushing yards, no passing yards and four first downs.

Third Quarter Updates

Eden Prairie receives the second-half kickoff and we're underway.

TOUCHDOWN MAPLE GROVE! Beaux Thyen intercepts the Eden Prairie pass in the flat and he returns it 55-yards for a touchdown. PAT is good. Maple Grove leads 28-0 with 8:52 remaining.

INTERCEPTION FOR MAPLE GROVE! Gavin Elmquist intercepts an Eden Prairie fade in the end zone. Maple Grove takes over at its own 20-yard line with 2:46 remaining.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Maple Grove 28, Eden Prairie 0

Fourth Quarter Updates

TOUCHDOWN MAPLE GROVE! James Engle scores on a 21-yard touchdown run. PAT is no good. Maple Grove leads 34-0 with 5:04 remaining.

FINAL: Maple Grove 34, Eden Prairie 0

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