Maple Grove Crimson took on Edina in a playoff game on November 8, winning 42-12. Photos: Janae Hubbard
The team squares off against Shakopee in the State Tournament semifinal.
Maple Grove Senior High School’s Crimson Football team is riding high on an undefeated streak this fall. “We’re having a good season, that’s for sure,” head coach Adam Spurrell says.
Spurrell took over the head coach position this April, but his experience with the program spans two decades and eight years as Crimson’s defensive coordinator. His top priority when taking over the role, he says, was making it a smooth transition. “We’ve had a lot of success in the last 10 years,” Spurrell says. “I was just hoping to keep it going and keep Maple Grove one of the powerhouses of the state.”
Head coach Adam Spurrell runs out alongside the Maple Grove Crimson.
The Crimson also made it to U.S. Bank Stadium in 2021 and 2022, winning the 6A Prep Bowl in the latter year, so it’s safe to say its reputation is being upheld. In fact, a few of the current team members have already played on that field, Spurrell says. “So hopefully not everyone is super wide-eyed at the beginning,” he says. “At the same time, I’ll tell them, ‘You get the first 30 seconds to soak it all in and look around and experience the coolness of playing where the Vikings play, but after that it’s get focused time.’”
The Class 6A semifinals kick off with Minnetonka vs. Anoka at 7 p.m. on November 14, followed by Maple Grove vs. Shakopee at 7:30 p.m. on November 15. If all goes well for the Crimson, November 22 is the Prep Bowl Championships game. “That’s our goal and it has been since the beginning,” Spurrell says. “That’s why I would expect their focus to be right where it needs to be.”
In the week leading up to game day, Spurrell says that the team plans to stick to its routine. “We’re approaching it as if it’s just another week, but the luxury is now we get to play indoors and play at a bigger venue,” he says, adding, “It’s going to be a cool experience for the guys, that’s for sure.”
Spurrell credits the success of the season so far with both the players and the community that surrounds them. “We’ve got a lot of good kids, and they’re talented kids so it’s making things go super smooth,” he says. The school, boosters and Maple Grove have also rallied around the athletes. “It’s made the season go how I hoped it would,” Spurrell says.
For ticket and game information, visit mshsl.org.
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