current . mnsun . com Edina Fall Sports Preview • Thursday , August 22 , 2024 Page 3
After Prep Bowl , what ’ s next for Edina ?
By JOHN SHERMAN john . sherman @ apgecm . com
There is excitement in the air for the opening of Edina High ’ s 2024 football season .
After making it all the way to the Prep Bowl in Class 6A last season , before losing to Centennial 28-27 , the Hornets are hungry for more success .
“ So many people cheered us on last season ,” Edina head coach Jason Potts said on the eve of the opening practice . “ We saw a sea of green and white [ for the Prep Bowl ] at U . S . Bank Stadium .”
Returning to lead the Hornets is junior quarterback Mason West . He will once again throw to two big-time receivers , Meyer Swinney and Trillion Sorrell .
“ Mason is bigger and stronger this season ,” Potts said . “ Last year , he was 6-5 and 190 pounds . This year , he came in at 6-6 and 210 .”
There has never been any question of West ’ s arm strength . He is accurate in the short passing game and can throw the long bomb , as well .
“ Just because we made it to the Prep Bowl last year doesn ’ t mean that we will automatically be there again ,” Potts said . “ We will stick to our core values and focus on one practice and one game at a time . And we have to remember to focus on what we can control .”
Among the factors in the Hornets ’ control are high standards , effort and attitude .
“ Going through the experience of playing in the Prep Bowl , we were so excited to be in that moment ,” Potts said . “ It is our goal to win in the moment .”
The last play of the 2023 Prep Bowl was the most anticipated moment of the season . Edina scored in the last seconds of the fourth quarter to cut Centennial ’ s lead to one point .
Coach Potts made the decision to go for the win with a two-point conversion try . Sophomore running back Chase Bjorgaard took a shovel pass from West and charged toward the goal line , only to be stopped two inches short of victory .
“ It took time to let the emotions go ,” said Potts , who watched the replay on the Jumbotron hanging over the turf at U . S . Bank Stadium .
The Edina coach didn ’ t watch the replay at home the weekend following the Friday night game . When he did take a look at it , he watched the play “ 70-80 times .”
It still came out the same - two inches short of the first Edina state title since 1978 .
What will it take for Edina to be in the hunt for championships this season ?
“ We have another tough schedule ,” Potts said .
One of the games marked on the calendar comes up the second week of the season when the Hornets entertain Eden Prairie at 7 p . m . Friday , Sept . 6 , at Kuhlman Field . Edina lost to Eden Prairie during the 2023 regular season before avenging the loss in the state Class 6A semifinals at U . S . Bank Stadium .
Six days later , at 7 p . m . Thursday , Sept . 12 , Edina has another big test at Minnetonka .
The season opens with Edina hosting Eagan at 7 p . m . Thursday , Aug . 29 .
Other dates on the schedule are : Friday , Sept . 20 , at Wayzata , Friday , Sept . 27 , at home against Prior Lake , Friday , Oct . 4 , at Shakopee , Thursday , Oct . 10 , at home against Stillwater and Wednesday , Oct . 16 , at Hopkins .
“ It should be a fun season ,” Potts said . “ We started out 1-3 last year , then we won eight in a row going into the Prep Bowl .”
The Hornets have more experience on offense than on defense as the new season begins . There are four returning starters on the defensive side - junior Sawyer Jezierski in the line , junior Evan Gilder at linebacker and seniors Sorrell and Liam Holmberg in the secondary .
Bjorgaard could be the ready-made replacement for graduated standout John Warpinski at running back . Coach Potts said there are other ball carriers who show promise .
Another key returnee is junior William Gremmels , one of the most accurate place kickers in the state .
In appraising the new players after summer camp , Potts said , “ Our younger kids had a good offseason .”
With football excitement accelerating , more athletes are eager to contribute to Edina ’ s success .
( PHOTO COURTESY OF GUY WARREN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Junior Mason West , Edina ’ s returning starter at quarterback , is a dual threat as a passer and runner .