Eden Prairie Named Best High School Football Program in Minnesota

By Cameron Thompson |

Updated: Apr 16, 2024

Anyone that went to High School in Minnesota knows how fun Friday evenings are, at that age. Sure, more students are worried about their Instagram caption and their postgame trip to Applebee’s, rather than the game, itself. Win or lose, football is built into fall Friday nights around the entire country.

As with anything in life though, winning is preferred… and some schools are better at it than others. A website called stadiumtalk.com went out and named the most decorated football program in every state. Eden Prairie High School was named Minnesota’s top program. You don’t have to look far to see why.

It all starts with their head coach, Mike Grant. Mike is the son of the legendary Minnesota Vikings head coach, Bud Grant.

“The younger Grant won back-to-back titles twice (1996-97 and 2006-07), then reeled off four straight state titles from 2011 to 2014.”
“That stretch was brutal for opposing offenses with a pair of future NFL linebackers, Blake Cashman and Ryan Connelly, on the opposite side.”
StadiumTalk.com

Sustained Success

122-14 since 2009 is pretty good, right? What about winning 11 state Championships in 25 years, including 4 straight from 2011-2014?

Then, look at how many guys the Eagles’ have sent to the NFL… The list includes former Minnesota Vikings T Carter Bykowski, New York Giants LB Ryan Connelly, and former Golden Gopher (current New York Jets) LB Blake Cashman.

The most recent player to splash at the next level, after graduating from Eden Prairie, is current Nebraska Cornhuskers’ WR JD Spielman, son of Vikings GM Rick Spielman. In 2015, J.D Spielman won the Metro Player of the Year.

Eden Prairie’s JD Spielman is the Star Tribune’s Metro Football Player of the Year https://t.co/8SH9A1QdSk pic.twitter.com/8rw0UouEar
— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) November 10, 2015

Everyone knows how good Eden Prairie has been on the football field. It seems every year we are watching the Eagles in the Prep Bowl, trying to win yet another state title.

We will have to see if Mike Grant can lead the Eagles back to the promised land in 2020. For anyone grumbling under their breath at the selection of Eden Prairie, just remember… it could be Edina.

Cam Thompson | Minnesota Sports Fan