Thursday was a coming out party of sorts for the Eden Prairie High School football team. With new faces under at least half the Eagles’ 100-plus helmets, nobody, including Head Coach Mike Grant, knew what to expect. Eden Prairie looked a little inexperienced at times, giving up too many big plays, but still rolled to a 38-14 victory over a Moses Alipate-led Bloomington Jefferson squad.

Eden Prairie drew first blood when Mitch Wheeler scored on a 30-yard run. The two teams traded touchdowns before Eden Prairie, trailing 14-13, took the lead for good when Sam Gotham scooped up a blocked punt and ran for a touchdown. The second half was all Eden Prairie as the Eagles cruised to their 29^th consecutive victory.

Gotham was clearly the player of the game. Not only did he score on the blocked punt, but he threw for three touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

Taylor Grant, Eden Prairie’s starting quarterback, was on the receiving end of three of those throws.

Next Friday, Eden Prairie hosts Chaska in its home opener.