The Hopkins Royals football team thought their football season was over after 26-7 defeat to Lakeville North in the section finals. Little did they know that two weeks later their home stadium would be used for the state semifinals.

Yesterday afternoon, the Royals football team replaced their cleats and pads with snow gear and shovels and helped clear the way for tonight’s Eden Prairie-Maple Grove matchup.

HHS will host three state semifinal football games this weekend Nov. 14-15: 6A Eden Prairie vs. Maple Grove, 1A Minneapolis North vs. Dawson-Boyd and 5A Simley vs. Spring Lake Park.

Due to snow and icy conditions following Monday’s snowstorm, games from Edina Community Center and Wayzata High School were moved to HHS.

HHS was put on short notice about these games. The athletic department has received help from not only the football team but also the Eden Prairie grounds crew in getting the field ready for gameday.

State championship games will be held at the TCF Bank Stadium on the Univ. of Minnesota campus on Nov. 21 and 22.