Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Thursday, March 30
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Sports»EP football advances in postseason despite tough battle with Lakeville North
    Sports

    EP football advances in postseason despite tough battle with Lakeville North

    By Ryan WilliamsonNovember 5, 2021Updated:November 6, 20213 Mins Read
    A muffed punt in the fourth quarter by Lakeville North set the Eagles up to score the eventual game-winning touchdown. Photo by Rick Olson
    Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on EP Sports!

    As the third quarter drew to a close during Friday’s Eden Prairie-Lakeville North game, many heads were down on the Eagles sideline. EP, playing at home, trailed the Panthers 10-7 with its season on the line.

    Three plays later, however, the mood among the Eagle players did a 180-degree turn. EP jumped on a muffed Lakeville North punt. The mood improved even more plays later when the Eagles went ahead for good. They defeated an upset-minded Panther team 14-10 to advance to next week’s Class 6A state quarterfinals.

    Looking at the records of Eden Prairie (8-1) and Lakeville North (4-5) heading into Friday’s game, the tight nature of Friday’s game might have surprised some. But the Panthers’ below .500 record doesn’t tell the story of their season completely. Lakeville North struggled early while playing many of the top teams in Class 6A including top-ranked Lakeville South and Shakopee. 

    The Panthers found their stride late in the regular season and rolled through their first playoff matchup, defeating White Bear Lake 39-0 on the road.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    In the early goings, Lakeville North showed that it was capable of pushing the EP defense. On fourth and short, Tyler Niggeling ran 40 yards to put the Panthers ahead 7-0. 

    It didn’t take long for the Eagles to respond, however. Noah Eckness capped off an impressive opening drive for the Eagle offense with a short touchdown run. The opening drive included a 43-yard pass from Nick Fazi to Jermell Taylor to get EP down near the goal line.

    Jermell Taylor’s catch in the first quarter set up Eden Prairie’s first touchdown against Lakeville North. Photo by Rick Olson

    After giving up that opening score, Lakeville North did not score a touchdown. That was more impressive given the fact the Panthers blocked an Eagle punt in the second quarter and had the ball first-and-goal inside the EP 10-yard line. However, the Eagle defense stood tall and stopped Lakeville North on four consecutive plays.

    The game remained deadlocked through the second and third quarters. The Eagles’ opening drive of the second half looked promising until a holding penalty and an interception thrown by Fazi dashed any hopes of EP gaining a lead.

    Late in the third, the Panthers gashed the Eagles on the ground and eventually went ahead with a 27-yard field goal. 

    EP’s first drive after the field goal stalled. Then came the big-time muffed punt that gave the Eagles new life.

    Lakeville North Ryan Brodin’s misplay of an EP punt gave the Eagles the ball. They eventually scored the go-ahead touchdown just a few plays later. Photo by Rick Olson

    With the ball in Lakeville North territory, EP went down and scored as Ekness scored his second touchdown of the night to make it 14-10 Eagles.

    Noah Eckness scored both of Eden Prairie’s touchdowns in the win against Lakeville North. The second (pictured here) came in the fourth quarter to put the Eagles ahead 14-10. Photo by Rick Olson

    From there, EP relied on its running game, a strong punt late in the game and defensive success to hold off any Lakeville North comeback. The Eagles clinched the game late when Fazi completed a pass to a wide open Toby Frost that gave EP the first down it needed to ice the win.

    The Eagles now advance to play Farmington in the quarterfinals. All quarterfinal games are played at neutral sites across Minnesota. EP and the Tigers will meet at Chanhassen High School on Friday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. The Eagles defeated Farmington in the regular season, 37-29.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe

    Comments

    Comments aren’t allowed on our site, but we do offer several ways to provide feedback, and have your voice heard. If you believe the story has an error, or would like to get in touch with the author, please contact us. If you would like to respond directly to this article, we welcome and encourage Letters To the Editor. You can find details on how to submit a letter on our contact page.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleMan charged in murder of his wife at EP hotel
    Next Article Dwivedy announces temporary absence from School Board duties

    More to READ

    2 Mins Read

    Race doesn’t go Sawalich’s way, but he has hope for the future

    March 21, 2023
    16 Mins Read

    Summer camp options in and around Eden Prairie

    March 15, 2023
    5 Mins Read

    Annika Anderson: Eden Prairie’s Athena Award winner

    March 10, 2023
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    EP bucks trend as pothole problems persist in other metro cities

    March 30, 2023

    Martial arts instructor convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct

    March 29, 2023

    EP man charged with stealing gun, other items from 2 cars parked near Scheels on different days over the weekend

    March 29, 2023

    EP residents invited to join Park Clean-Up Day

    March 28, 2023

    Staring Lake Park opens off-leash dog exercise area

    March 28, 2023
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2023
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.