By JOHN SHERMAN john . sherman @ apgecm . com

Eden Prairie High football goals don ’ t change from year to year .

While most teams only dream of getting to the Prep Bowl at U . S . Bank Stadium , players in the Eagle program expect to be there .

Senior fullback Jeremy Fredericks put it this way at a recent practice : “ We ’ re in it to win state .”

The Eagles came close last season when they won three state Class 6A playoff games before losing to Edina 28-7 in the semifinal round at U . S . Bank Stadium . Edina won by playing an almost perfect game while the Eagles didn ’ t play their best game . Edina would go on to lose to Centennial 28-27 in an exciting Prep Bowl .

“ I feel like we have something to prove when we play Edina [ Sept . 6 at Edina ’ s Kuhlman Field ],” Eagle senior running back and captain Elijah Rumph said .

It ’ s true that Eden Prairie lost all six starters in the offensive line . But also true is the Eagles ’ power in the backfield with track sprinter Rumph and powerhouse Fredericks . In 12 games last season , Rumph carried the ball 137 times for 794 yards and scored four touchdowns . Fredericks rushed 118 times for 610 yards and punched 11 touchdowns into the end

( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN )

Eden Prairie ’ s five senior football captains are , from left to right : Max Kukla , Matthew Ivey , Elijah Rumph , James Anderson and Jeremy Fredericks .

zone . Rumph caught only two passes last season , but they went for 95 yards and a touchdown . Fredericks had two catches for 27 yards and his team-leading 12th touchdown of the season .

Eden Prairie didn ’ t throw a lot of passes last year , but still had 11 touchdown passes . 2024 graduate Dennis Rahouski had only three catches , but all of them went for touchdowns .

“ As a running back , my job is to get the ball and make plays ,” Rumph said . “ Jeremy is a great runner - just as good as me . I am always confident with him lining up next to me .”

The dynamic backfield duo will be working with a new starting quarterback , since starter David Ivey

graduated last spring .

Head coach Mike Grant is looking for Jackson Bakkum as QB I going into the season .

Grant pointed him out during a practice drill . “ He looks like a college quarterback , doesn ’ t he ?” the coach mused .

Max Kukla , a returning starter at safety , is one of three defensive captains for the Eagles along with linebackers Matthew Ivey and James Anderson .

“ We have quite a bit of speed this year ,” Kukla said . “ So you might not see a lot of solo tackles .”

In football parlance , Kukla is described as a ball hawk .

“ I had three interceptions last year ,” he said . “ And I hope to have a few more this

year .”

Ivey isn ’ t a tall linebacker , but he is fast and built sturdy - about 25 pounds heavier than his quarterback brother was last year . Talking about his strength , Matthew Ivey said , “ It comes from consistency in the weight room - getting better every day .”

Another player who made huge strides in the weight room is lineman Gavin Walden . Some of his friends post his lifting records on X as a tribute to his progress .

Linebacker Anderson said , “ We lost some size from last year , but we gained a bunch of speed . There is a great attitude on the team . Everyone pushes everyone else , and there is a real brotherhood .”

As coach Grant moves closer to the 400-win mark for his career , the Eden Prairie players are proud to play for him . Grant is one of the most successful coaches in state history with 11 state big-school championships . He appreciates the community , the youth football volunteers and most of all the players , who have bought into the ideals of the program and put the work in during the season and also throughout the offseason .

Grant is always looking for good athletes from other sports , and he has two of them this season - John Kleis from the hockey team and Max Lorenson from the basketball team .

Head Coach

Mike Grant 33rd season

Last Year ’ s Record : 11-1

Key Returning Players

The Eagles will need to find an entirely new offensive line this season as they seek blocking for two All-South District backs , senior captains Jeremy Fredericks and Elijah Rumph . In addition to putting together a new offensive line , coach Mike Grant is working with a new starting quarterback , 6-2 junior Jackson Bakkum . The Eagles are more experienced on the defensive side than the offensive side as they return three key players - Max Kukla at safety and linebackers Matthew Ivey and James Anderson . “ We have quite a few other kids who played a lot on varsity last year ,” Grant said . “ Vaugn Feely is an experienced defensive back . Gavin Walden returns at nose tackle and Aaron Kroese is a good corner back .” Grant provided one other tidbit : “ Our sophomore team went undefeated last season .” Schedule

Aug . 29 : at Buffalo 7 p . m . Sept . 6 : at Edina 7 p . m . Sept . 12 : vs . Prior Lake 7 p . m . Sept . 20 : at Shakopee 7 p . m . Sept . 27 : vs . Wayzata 7 p . m . Oct . 4 : vs . Minnetonka 7 p . m . Oct . 11 : at Rochester Mayo 7 p . m . Oct . 17 : vs . Woodbury 6 p . m .