COLUMN: Shocking results leave only 1 West District team alive

Two months ago, I would have envisioned Moorhead, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka all advancing to the final eight of the State Class 6A football playoffs.

In fact, in my personal rankings, I had Moorhead No. 1 in the state and Eden Prairie No. 2.

Teams from the West District were wiping out the competition in district cross-over games against teams from the South, East and North.

Last week brought “Black Friday” to the West District. They almost lost the house, but Minnetonka did survive by rallying from a 21-0 deficit to win 26-21 at Blaine.

As the results rolled in that night, fans checked and double-checked before accepting the results. Moorhead was stunned 19-14 by Prior Lake. The result wasn’t a mistake in reporting. Prior to the game, Moorhead lost All-State receiver David Mack to an injury. Two other key offensive players suffered injuries and suddenly the vaunted Spuds’ passing attack was in disarray. What could have been a long bus ride back home for Prior Lake was more like a frat party as the Lakers celebrated the biggest upset of the playoffs so far.

Eden Prairie and Centennial are similar teams, but on “Black Friday” in Eden Prairie, it was Centennial that caught fire. The Cougars won the first half 31-0. It was somewhat back to normal for the Eagles in the second half as they outscored the visitors 13-0.

Like Moorhead, Eden Prairie was haunted by injuries. All-State guard candidate Jack Badon played with an injury. Early in Friday night’s contest, two of Eden Prairie’s best defensive players, corner back Xavier Bailey and linebacker Luke Elliott, left the field with concussions.

Eden Prairie head coach Mike Grant has always been able to adapt to such calamities with his “Next man up” philosophy. However, in the cases of Bailey and Elliott Friday night, the next men up were sophomores.

To Eden Prairie’s credit, the Eagles were a different – and much better – in the second half. However, rallying from 31-0 was too big a task.

Wayzata lost its round of 16 game 48-13 at Champlin Park on “Black Friday.” Champlin Park out-gained the Trojans, which is a feat in itself. For the first time in a long time, Wayzata senior quarterback Thor Soukup was not able to throw a touchdown pass. His Champlin park counterpart, Cash Miller, dominated with four touchdown passes on only five pass attempts. The rest of the time, the Rebels went to their ground attack with Preston Nelson piling up 192 yards on 21 carries.

St. Michael-Albertville, the other West District team still alive before “Black Friday” was soundly defeated 35-7 at Rosemount.

ONE THEORY

So how did it happen that four of five remaining West District 6A football teams bowed out the same night?

After watching West District games all season, it appears to me that the physical football played in this district has really taken a toll.

Injury lists are never blank in the West Division. Minnetonka played the whole year without one of its two-way players, Cody Braun. Edina lost its top pass receiver, sophomore Connor Johnson, for three weeks.

Quarterbacks in the western suburbs have been lucky to stay injury-free for the most part. Their protection from big offensive lines has been good. Soukup of Wayzata, Caden Gutzmer of Minnetonka, Mason Hemmesch of Eden Prairie and Tre Moore of Hopkins, who plays in Class 6A’s Maroon Division, have not missed much, if any, playing time.

Edina quarterback Brady Olin missed one game, so sophomore Will Grunnet took over as the starter.

I have been on the sidelines every week, and believe me, the hitting in West District games is what sets this segment of teams apart.

Add to that the intense nature of the rivalries and it’s easy to see why these teams are banged up most weeks.