2024 MN High School Football thread

My mistake. Grant left FL after the 1991 season (class of 1992) to go to EP. Fall of 1992 was his first year at EP.

The 1991 season was the only time FL made it to state in Football.

I believe he coached at SJU, he was offered the head coaching job after the head coach retired.
 

I believe he coached at SJU, he was offered the head coaching job after the head coach retired.
Pay attention. I already mentioned he left FL for a leave of absence to be the OC at St. Johns. It's also mentioned in the article.

I don't think that job paid much if anything. Now that I think about it, when he came back to FL, his wife was pregnant. That could have been a big reason why.

He was never offered the Johnnies HC job. He was supposedly a finalist when Gagliardi retired (which was many, many years after Grant's stint there) but then "removed himself from consideration." I have no doubt that he was told he wasn't getting the job (which was his dream job) and that he "removed himself" to save face since his ego is massive.

Next thing you'll tell us SJU has a 52 year old robotic quarterback or something.
 

I've been watching EP football since Grant started in the late nineties, missing very few games.. This year's team with three losses hasn't put it all together.....yet , bit I have seen some subtle favorable changes of late. I don't think they will be outmuscled this Friday like they were at Shakopee. I don't think they will be unprepared for a passing game from Maple Grove, unlike the Edina game. The mental mistakes evident in the Wayzata loss largely have been fixed. This Friday's game could be a real slobberknocker. Maple Grove has the horses for sure, and depth, but does the old ball coach have the ability to get his team up for a big one so his team can go on a revenge tour later in the playoffs? I don't know but I'm going to the game. Lets see who is fired up. #1 seed against the #4.
I am picking EP to beat MG
 

Pay attention. I already mentioned he left FL for a leave of absence to be the OC at St. Johns. It's also mentioned in the article.

I don't think that job paid much if anything. Now that I think about it, when he came back to FL, his wife was pregnant. That could have been a big reason why.

He was never offered the Johnnies HC job. He was supposedly a finalist when Gagliardi retired (which was many, many years after Grant's stint there) but then "removed himself from consideration." I have no doubt that he was told he wasn't getting the job (which was his dream job) and that he "removed himself" to save face since his ego is massive.

Next thing you'll tell us SJU has a 52 year old robotic quarterback or something.
Grants biggest wins was getting both of his boys Division I scholarships when neither could run a sub five second 40. They both belonged at St. John’s.
 

Pay attention. I already mentioned he left FL for a leave of absence to be the OC at St. Johns. It's also mentioned in the article.

I don't think that job paid much if anything. Now that I think about it, when he came back to FL, his wife was pregnant. That could have been a big reason why.

He was never offered the Johnnies HC job. He was supposedly a finalist when Gagliardi retired (which was many, many years after Grant's stint there) but then "removed himself from consideration." I have no doubt that he was told he wasn't getting the job (which was his dream job) and that he "removed himself" to save face since his ego is massive.

Next thing you'll tell us SJU has a 52 year old robotic quarterback or something.
Probably not as widely known, Grant was also one of four finalists for the Concordia-Moorhead job back in 2001. Not sure if that was some sort of positioning on his part, but he was not offered/selected for the job anyways.
 


Probably not as widely known, Grant was also one of four finalists for the Concordia-Moorhead job back in 2001. Not sure if that was some sort of positioning on his part, but he was not offered/selected for the job anyways.
That I did not know. I wonder if it wasn't some kind of positioning thing as well.
 

Pay attention. I already mentioned he left FL for a leave of absence to be the OC at St. Johns. It's also mentioned in the article.

I don't think that job paid much if anything. Now that I think about it, when he came back to FL, his wife was pregnant. That could have been a big reason why.

He was never offered the Johnnies HC job. He was supposedly a finalist when Gagliardi retired (which was many, many years after Grant's stint there) but then "removed himself from consideration." I have no doubt that he was told he wasn't getting the job (which was his dream job) and that he "removed himself" to save face since his ego is massive.

Next thing you'll tell us SJU has a 52 year old robotic quarterback or something.
You are angry and wrong, not a good combination for a cartoon blog.
 

Probably not as widely known, Grant was also one of four finalists for the Concordia-Moorhead job back in 2001. Not sure if that was some sort of positioning on his part, but he was not offered/selected for the job anyways.
And the Coach hired at Concordia, Terry Horan, is still there and successful. He was the HC at Breckenridge HS and had been an assistant at Concordia prior.
 

I don't think EP can beat Maple Grove tomorrow. That is not necessarily a knock on Eden Prairie, they are a good team, it's just that Maple Grove is a great team. They will win this one 31-14.
 



I don't think EP can beat Maple Grove tomorrow. That is not necessarily a knock on Eden Prairie, they are a good team, it's just that Maple Grove is a great team. They will win this one 31-14.
Maple Grove is good. Not sure if great unless the running back plays. He's been out 5 weeks.
 

I don't think EP can beat Maple Grove tomorrow. That is not necessarily a knock on Eden Prairie, they are a good team, it's just that Maple Grove is a great team. They will win this one 31-14.
A potentially great team is one that wins State conclusively. Maple Grove is three games away after Friday from being considered in that category. I still believe Friday's game is going to be a competitive contest.
 

Does it benefit EP or MG more if the weather is cold? Seems if MG RB is out, the cold would hurt their passing game? Although admittedly I don't know if EP is more of a passing or running team. Thoughts?
 

Does it benefit EP or MG more if the weather is cold? Seems if MG RB is out, the cold would hurt their passing game? Although admittedly I don't know if EP is more of a passing or running team. Thoughts?
This Friday looks like the first "cold" game of the year. Your point is well taken. Players react differently from equipment choices to nutrition to hydration. Both MG and EP are rushing oriented offenses so the first cold game of the year could impact the outcome. I remember years ago when the Cole Kramer led EP played LN in a "cold" playoff game at Chanhassen. LN arrived with sweatshirts under their Jerseys, gloves, and calf length socks. Ep arrived in their regular uniforms, no sweatshirts underneath, no long length socks. The lineman all had bare arms, some with gloves. My recollection was a 48-0 victory for EP..
 



This Friday looks like the first "cold" game of the year. Your point is well taken. Players react differently from equipment choices to nutrition to hydration. Both MG and EP are rushing oriented offenses so the first cold game of the year could impact the outcome. I remember years ago when the Cole Kramer led EP played LN in a "cold" playoff game at Chanhassen. LN arrived with sweatshirts under their Jerseys, gloves, and calf length socks. Ep arrived in their regular uniforms, no sweatshirts underneath, no long length socks. The lineman all had bare arms, some with gloves. My recollection was a 48-0 victory for EP..
Temps in the 40's and feels like above freezing for the games tomorrow night. Will definitely feel different. Agree that some let it get to them too much. The worst is wearing too much and then sweating in the locker-room during halftime and then freezing when you go back outside.
 

You are angry and wrong, not a good combination for a cartoon blog.
Nothing I wrote was incorrect, except possibly the timing of his wife being pregnant. Nope. I was right on that too - Ryan Grant was born August of 1989 - right when Grant came back to FL for his second stint.

And he was never offered the SJU job.

St. John's bid: Was one of two finalists to replace John Gagliardi as St. John's football coach. Grant withdrew his name at the last minute. The exact reasons remain unclear, though Grant said, "Twenty things had to line up, and not enough things lined up. Everything has to fit."


Do you ever tire of being made to look like a fool when you post here?
 

Nothing I wrote was incorrect, except possibly the timing of his wife being pregnant. Nope. I was right on that too - Ryan Grant was born August of 1989 - right when Grant came back to FL for his second stint.

And he was never offered the SJU job.

St. John's bid: Was one of two finalists to replace John Gagliardi as St. John's football coach. Grant withdrew his name at the last minute. The exact reasons remain unclear, though Grant said, "Twenty things had to line up, and not enough things lined up. Everything has to fit."


Do you ever tire of being made to look like a fool when you post here?
My guess is knowing you're not the lead candidate being the top of that list of 20 things
 

This Friday looks like the first "cold" game of the year. Your point is well taken. Players react differently from equipment choices to nutrition to hydration. Both MG and EP are rushing oriented offenses so the first cold game of the year could impact the outcome. I remember years ago when the Cole Kramer led EP played LN in a "cold" playoff game at Chanhassen. LN arrived with sweatshirts under their Jerseys, gloves, and calf length socks. Ep arrived in their regular uniforms, no sweatshirts underneath, no long length socks. The lineman all had bare arms, some with gloves. My recollection was a 48-0 victory for EP..
Thanks for the info, could be an interesting wrinkle in the game!
 

This Friday looks like the first "cold" game of the year. Your point is well taken. Players react differently from equipment choices to nutrition to hydration. Both MG and EP are rushing oriented offenses so the first cold game of the year could impact the outcome. I remember years ago when the Cole Kramer led EP played LN in a "cold" playoff game at Chanhassen. LN arrived with sweatshirts under their Jerseys, gloves, and calf length socks. Ep arrived in their regular uniforms, no sweatshirts underneath, no long length socks. The lineman all had bare arms, some with gloves. My recollection was a 48-0 victory for EP..
Friday’s temperatures will be perfect for playing football as long as it doesn’t have rain or snow. I played a game in Colorado once where it wet snowed about 2 inches right before we went out to stretch that was one cold SOB. Played another game in North Dakota with temperatures in the upper 20s, but it was dry and it wasn’t nearly as bad.
 

Friday’s temperatures will be perfect for playing football as long as it doesn’t have rain or snow. I played a game in Colorado once where it wet snowed about 2 inches right before we went out to stretch that was one cold SOB. Played another game in North Dakota with temperatures in the upper 20s, but it was dry and it wasn’t nearly as bad.
Tomorrow will be Elite conditions for football with mild winds and temps in the 40's
 

Section Final games on Thursday

9-pl:
Sect 4: Border West 22, #8 Hancock 20 (#2 seed beats #1 seed)
Sect 5: Cromwell-Wright 20, #1 Nevis 14 (#2 seed beats #1 seed) #1 ranked team in the state out
Sect 6: #3 Fertile-Beltrami 52, #7 Fosston 15 (#1 seed beats #2 seed)
Sect 8: Stephen-Argyle 42, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo 14 (#2 seed beats #5 seed)

1A:
#3 Mahnomen-Waubun 36, #10 Red Lake County 8 (#1 seed beats #2 seed)

2A:
Moose Lake-Willow River 24, Mesabi East 14 (#2 seed beats #4 seed)

3A:
#2 Pequot Lakes 36, #10 Two Harbors 15 (#1 seed beats #2 seed)
 

Section Final games on Thursday

9-pl:
Sect 4: Border West 22, #8 Hancock 20 (#2 seed beats #1 seed)
Sect 5: Cromwell-Wright 20, #1 Nevis 14 (#2 seed beats #1 seed) #1 ranked team in the state out
Sect 6: #3 Fertile-Beltrami 52, #7 Fosston 15 (#1 seed beats #2 seed)
Sect 8: Stephen-Argyle 42, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo 14 (#2 seed beats #5 seed)

1A:
#3 Mahnomen-Waubun 36, #10 Red Lake County 8 (#1 seed beats #2 seed)

2A:
Moose Lake-Willow River 24, Mesabi East 14 (#2 seed beats #4 seed)

3A:
#2 Pequot Lakes 36, #10 Two Harbors 15 (#1 seed beats #2 seed)
Nevis woah - no repeat this year
 


Cromwell-Wright lost to Nevis 48-8 back in September and then upset them 20-14 last night. That's a really impressive turn around from Cromwell-Wright!
Often in HS it's hard to get teenagers focus on that second game if they won the first one.

We'll see tonight as there are a bunch of rematches.
 

August 29

Farmington 28
Mounds View 26


October 25

Prior Lake 42
Farmington 14

I think Mounds View is in trouble tonight.
 

My predictions for tonight in 6A and 5A:

6A

Lakeville North over Champlin Park
Lakeville South over Anoka
Minnetonka over Mayo
Blaine over Forest Lake
Edina over Eagan
Maple Grove over EP
Shakopee over STMA
Prior Lake over Mounds View

5A

Owatonna over Rochester JM
Mankato East over Chanhassen
St. Thomas Academy over Apple Valley
Cretin over Tartan
Armstrong over Cooper
Monticello over Spring Lake Park
Andover over Elk River
Moorhead over Alexandria
 

August 29

Farmington 28
Mounds View 26


October 25

Prior Lake 42
Farmington 14

I think Mounds View is in trouble tonight.
Prior Lake 4 losses are to Minnetonka, Shakopee, Edina, and Eden Prairie.

They beat Forest Lake 22-19 week #1 and Mounds View beat Forest Lake 31-7. Those are Forest Lake 2 losses.
 

My predictions for tonight in 6A and 5A:

6A

Lakeville North over Champlin Park (North last to East Ridge big and Champlin beat East Ridge last week)
Lakeville South over Anoka (South split with Wayzata and Anoka lost to Wayzata by 2. Both beat Champlin)
Minnetonka over Mayo (no common opponent)
Blaine over Forest Lake (no common opponent)
Edina over Eagan (Edina won first Match-up way back in week #1)
Maple Grove over EP (Both beat Minnetonka, MG by 10 and EP by 1 in OT)
Shakopee over STMA (STMA lost to Blaine week #1 by 20 and Shakopee beat Blaine by 9 week #8)
Prior Lake over Mounds View (Both beat FL and Mounds View lost to Farmington week#1 in OT, PL beat Farmington)

5A

Owatonna over Rochester JM (Owatonna by 10 during season)
Mankato East over Chanhassen (East by 24 during season)
St. Thomas Academy over Apple Valley (STA by 25 during the season)
Cretin over Tartan (CDH by 28 first game of season)
Armstrong over Cooper (Armstrong by 28 during season)
Monticello over Spring Lake Park (Monticello by 8 during season)
Andover over Elk River (Andover by 16 during season)
Moorhead over Alexandria (Moorhead by 2 during season. Alex missed winning FG.)
Added some notes
 


My predictions for tonight in 6A and 5A:

6A

Lakeville North over Champlin Park
Lakeville South over Anoka
Minnetonka
over Mayo
Blaine over Forest Lake
Edina over Eagan
Maple Grove over EP
Shakopee over STMA
Prior Lake over Mounds View

5A

Owatonna over Rochester JM
Mankato East over Chanhassen
St. Thomas Academy
over Apple Valley
Cretin over Tartan
Armstrong over Cooper
Monticello over Spring Lake Park
Andover over Elk River
Moorhead over Alexandria.
Bold are your winners tonight.
 





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