Totino-Grace (Fridley, Minn.) vs. Eden Prairie (Minn.)
What to watch: The Minnesota state football finals will be contested outdoors for the first time in 32 years, as the Metrodome, which hosted the championship games from 1982-2013, was demolished in January. This Class 6A championship game is the finale of a Friday quadruple-header at TCF Bank Stadium, where game-time temperatures are expected to dip into the low 20s. Perennial power Eden Prairie aims for its fourth-consecutive state crown. The Eagles (12-0) extended their state-best winning streak to 29 games and secured their 11th Prep Bowl appearance with a hard-fought 13-7 win over Maple Grove last Friday. Senior running back
William Rains carried the load with 159 rushing yards in 33 attempts,
according to twincities.com. Meanwhile, Totino-Grace (11-1) punched its first ticket to a title game in Minnesota's largest classification with a 37-21 win over Lakeville North. Totino-Grace senior
Benjamin Mezzenga nearly doubled his season rushing yardage total in one night, toting it 15 times for 155 yards and four touchdowns.
Follow live scoring of this game on Qwixcore Just the facts: Eden Prairie would become the first team to ever win four straight championships in Minnesota's largest classification. The Eagles already have nine state titles overall under coach Mike Grant – son of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant – since 1996. … Although it has an enrollment in line with Class 4A schools, Totino-Grace voluntarily chose to opt-up and compete at the Class 6A level. The Eagles previously won nine state titles at smaller-school levels between 1977-2012.
Mitch Stephens: Eden Prairie 28, Totino-Grace 20
Kevin Askeland: Eden Prairie 30, Totino-Grace 13
Jamie DeMoney: Eden Prairie 21, Totino-Grace 14
Stephen Spiewak: Eden Prairie 21, Totino-Grace 14
Leland Gordon: Eden Prairie 31, Totino-Grace 21
Colin Ward-Henninger: Eden Prairie 20, Totino-Grace 17
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