sailor. mnsun. com Fall Football Preview • Thursday, August 28, 2025 Page 7
EDEN PRAIRIE EAGLES
All of the pieces fit together for title run
JOHN SHERMAN john. sherman @ apgecm. com
Already in possession of 11 state championship trophies, Eden Prairie head football coach Mike Grant is looking to make it a dozen this season.
With the parity in Minnesota Class 6A football, it won’ t be easy, but coach Grant likes the components of this year’ s team – depth in the offensive line, lots of potential running backs, a returning starter at quarterback and hungry defensive players.
“ It’ s always fun for me the first week of practice when I can see all the work the kids have put in,” coach Grant said.“ They have all improved themselves in the off season.”
The right side of Eden Prairie’ s offensive line looks like something you’ d see in the NFL with 6-3, 280-pound senior Ethan Sather at guard and 6-7, 300-pound senior Jake Gau at tackle. Sophomore Joe Broich, 260 pounds, is expected to start at center. On the left side of the offensive line are 6-foot, 245- pound Will Palmer at tackle and 6-2, 245-pound Jack Banden at guard. Then there is 6-4, 250-pound Braden Minta at tight end.
Eden Prairie lost its top two running backs to graduation in June. Elijah Rumph gained more than 1,000 yards and made the All-West District team along with the Eagles’ starting fullback, Jeremy Fredericks.
The Eagles’ pool of running backs for 2025 includes
( SUN PHOTOS BY JOHN SHERMAN)
They grow them big in Eden Prairie, especially in the offensive line. From left to right are: Will Palmer, Jack Banden, Joe Broich, coach Josh Groll, Braden Minta, Ethan Sather and Jake Gau.
seniors Pete Anderson, Justice Bates and Andrew Johnson plus junior Windlan Hall and sophomore Owen Konrad. Others may emerge, as well.“ I watched some film of our 1997 state championship team,” the Eagles’ head coach said.“ I had forgotten how many players we had carrying the ball.
“ The years when we won the Prep Bowl, we used a lot of different running backs,” Grant observed.
Eden Prairie’ s“ secret weapon” in the backfield is 6-3, 250-pound senior Gavin Walden, one of the strongest weight-room performers in program history.
“ Gavin is one of the best athletes in the state and an outstanding blocker,” coach Grant noted.
On defense, Walden is expected to play multiple roles as an edge rusher and linebacker. Eden Prairie’ s starting quarterback from last season, senior Jackson Bakkum, surprised coach Grant with the improvements he has made.“ Jackson was committed to the weight room and improved his strength,” coach Grant said.“ He is throwing the ball better than last year.”
When Bakkum throws this season, he will look to Cooper Fahning, a 6-6, 195- pound senior, as a primary option.“ Cooper is a good basketball player, and he has really come on this year,” coach Grant said.“ In addition to everything else he does for us, Windlan Hall is a good receiver. He will help us as a punt returner and he started on defense for us last year as a sophomore.”
Some of the offensive stars have roles on defense. Walden and Hall lead that group. Minta will find playing time at defensive end and Banden is likely to play defensive tackle.
There may be times when standout offensive linemen Sather and Gau take some reps on defense.
Coach Grant plans to use senior Zane Frost at linebacker or defensive end. Senior Isaiah Kelly is a returning starter at safety.
Senior linebacker Luke Henry has a big defensive role at 6-2 and 210 pounds.“ He looks like a college player out there,” coach Grant said.
Versatility makes junior Luke Elliott a key player for the Eagles, but the start of his season has been delayed.“ Luke had his appendix taken out and will be out about three weeks,” Grant said.“ He’ s our best punter and a
See EDEN PRAIRIE | PAGE 24
QUICK HITS
Head Coach Mike Grant 34th Season
Last Year’ s Record: 6-4
Key Returning Players
Starting quarterback Jackson Bakkum returns for the Eagles, but the two main Eden Prairie rushers, Elijah Rumph and Jeremy Fredericks, both graduated in June.
Coach Grant will use defensive starter Windlan Hall more in the offensive backfield and he plans to play defensive stopper Gavin Walden at fullback some of the time. Walden stands 6-3 and weighs in at 250 pounds.
When the Eagles go to the air, they will look to Cooper Fahning, one of the tallest wide receivers in Minnesota Class 6A football at 6-6 and 195 pounds. Returning starters on defense for the Eagles are Walden at linebacker or end, Hall at corner back and Isaiah Kelly in the secondary. Harrison Serk is the returning varsity kicker and has the leg to send kickoffs into the end zone. EP’ s strength is an offensive line led by seniors Will Sather and Jake Gau.
Schedule
Aug. 28: Anoka Sept. 5: At Maple Grove Sept. 12: Edina Sept. 19: At St. Michael-Albertville Sept. 26: At Minnetonka Oct. 3: Moorhead, 6 p. m. Oct. 10: At Eastview, 6 p. m. Oct. 15: Wayzata
Game times 7 p. m. unless otherwise noted