Football Friday: Eagan vs. Prior Lake

Eagan (2-3, 2-2 South Suburban Conference) vs. Prior Lake (3-2, 3-1 South Suburban Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

-- Drew Bauer (Eagan - quarterback)

The senior signal caller ran for four scores (38, 51, 1 and 40 yards) and threw for two more in a little more than two quarters of work in last week’s rout of Bloomington Jefferson. He finished with 12 carries for 168 yards and was 4-of-7 for 101 yards.

-- Mitch Johnson (Eagan – defensive end)

In less than three quarters of action last week, the senior had six tackles and one assist, including three tackles for a loss. He also fell on one of four fumbles that Eagan recovered. For the season, he has 14 solo tackles – best on the Eagan defensive line – and is second on the team with 1.5 sacks. He returned a fumble 64 yards for a score three weeks ago to key an Eagan rally against Eastview.

-- Jack Kaiser (Prior Lake – running back)

Kaiser ran for three scores (39, 59 and 1 yard) in last week’s win at Bloomington Kennedy. Jack averaged just over 12.6 yards per carry in setting a new Prior Lake team record for rushing in a game with 303 yards. A versatile back with good moves, Jack has 660 yards rushing this year and 180 more through the air.

-- Nick Rooney (Prior Lake - quarterback)

The sophomore is getting more comfortable each week running the Lakers offense and gotten better and managing and controlling the game. He was 9 of 21 for 102 yards in a loss to Rosemount in week three, but has thrown the ball much less in wins over Burnsville and Bloomington Kennedy the past two weeks.

WILDCATS WIN IF...

They do what they’ve been doing and using a balanced offense and swarming defense to put the Lakers away. Eagan, which scored a school-record 55 points last week and had 471 yards of offense against Bloomington Jefferson, needs to get out of the gate fast to quiet the Prior Lake homecoming crowd. Offensively, the Wildcats will likely need to mix in a few more pass plays to keep the Lakers focused on somebody other than quarterback Drew Bauer and running back Michael Busch. On defense, Eagan needs to continue to win battles up front to open lanes for linebackers to make stops for minimal gain at most.

LAKERS WIN IF...

Their defense, which has allowed no more than 13 points in each of the past four games, can keep Bauer contained in the pocket. Its defensive line will need to win the battle in the trenches because the Wildcats offensive line has played much better the past two weeks to open holes for Bauer and Busch.

2-MINUTE DRILL

SITE: Prior Lake High School.

TIME: 7 p.m. Friday.

WEATHER: Clear and windy, 71 degrees.

LAST MEETING: Eagan won its homecoming game 41-21 last year.

EAGAN SCHEDULE

Fri. Sept. 2      @ Lakeville South      L 35-21

Fri. Sept. 9      vs. Wayzata              

Fri. Sept. 16    vs. Eastview              

Fri. Sept. 23    @ Apple Valley         

Fri. Sept. 30    vs. Bloomington Jefferson     

Fri. Oct. 7        @ Prior Lake

Fri. Oct. 14      vs. Burnsville

Wed. Oct. 19  @ Rosemount

PRIOR LAKE SCHEDULE

Thur. Sept. 1 vs. Wayzata                           

Fri. Sept. 9      @ Bloomington Jefferson       W 43-7

Fri. Sept. 16    vs. Rosemount                      L 13-6

Fri. Sept. 23    @ Burnsville                        

Fri. Sept. 30    @ Bloomington Kennedy       W 30-13

Fri. Oct. 7        vs. Eagan

Fri. Oct. 14      @ Lakeville South

Wed. Oct. 19  vs. Lakeville North