Starting the first week of school with hotter than average temperatures, the football team was in the midst of preparing to take on reigning state champions Eden Prairie.

“It’s been terrible [the heat and humidity] but I’ve kept pushing myself. I know my teammates wouldn’t give up for me, no matter how hot or cold it is on the field, so I just keep that in mind. I would do anything; they’re like my brothers out there,” said Matthias Harris, sophomore.

Although Harris, the last line of defense, was driven to take on the short week of practice and three days to strategize, the coaches had a different plan.

“We haven’t played in hot humid weather yet, so kids who don’t usually play will,” said Oscar Johnson, senior captain. “Kids are going to be subbing out and it’s going to be harder to breathe, [so] our secondary guys and even third stringers will need to know what they’re doing and get ready,”

Coming off of an eight point loss of the previous week against Maple Grove Crimson, the team had a positive look on the upcoming game.

“We were bummed [about the Maple Grove game], but we’re excited because we saw what we could do. I was proud of us as a team for being so resilient being down by so much and coming back and showing mental toughness as a team,” Johnson said.

Andy Aune, senior captain, was also excited about the early season matchups of Maple Grove and Eden Prairie because of the work his defense had put in the whole summer.

“This year’s chemistry, in my opinion, feels a lot better than it has in years past. We worked hard all summer together. It’s only the third game, but we’ve been with each other for three or four months – we’re ready,” Aune said.

The Royals were one of the only teams in the state to stay within a touchdown against the Eagles last year, causing the team to set their expectations high for the current season The game plan was to win with athletic ability and a passing game rather than running the ball on the Eagles strong defensive line, according to Johnson.

“The biggest challenge is knowing that we’ve never beat Eden Prairie, but we’ve always played the jersey, not [the] high school kids who go put on their shoulder pads and go to classes just like us,” Johnson said. “I think this year we are better about that knowing they’re just like us, they’re not superhuman.”

With a 32 game win streak stretching over three seasons, the Eagles seemed to have it cut out for them on the opening plays of game day. After a long, high opening kick, it was Hopkins’ ball on the line.

“I think we’re more athletic than them; I think that we have one of the best O-lines in the state of Minnesota and that’s something we don’t usually have, so I think that gives us a strong mental advantage,” Johnson said.

With snaps and blocks from offensive linemen Isaac Kadoun, Dylan Drone, Ryan Greeley, Joe Nissen, seniors, and Bennett Vandellen, junior, quarterback Johnson was able to complete pass after pass, marching his team down the field. But on the final down of the Royals possession, Johnson’s pass attempt was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback, giving the Eagles possession at their own 20 yard line.

The Eagles quickly broke through the Royals’ defense, pulling ahead by a touchdown early in the game. After a short-lived Hopkins possession came another EP touchdown. By the time the half time whistle blew the Eagles were leading by 49 making the score 56-7.

Despite the 49 point deficit, the Royals continued to fight hard.

“We stayed together as a group, we didn’t get angry with each other and we stayed up on our teammates,” Aune said.

With four minutes left in the third quarter, the Royals were making a strong showing of what they were capable of, Deyon Campbell, junior, scored, and lowered the point deficit.

“I just feel like I’m a big play guy. If we’re third and long, I feel like I can get the first down,” said Campbell.

The Royals dominated the second half. As the Eagles were held to 56 points in the last three minutes of the fourth quarter, with a 34-yard sprint from Manny Kugmeh, senior, the final score was raised to 21 for the Royals.

“It was hard to take the loss, but I was proud of our team to hang in there and stay tough the entire game,” Johnson said.

The Royals next game is on Sept. 11 at 7 pm against the Edina Hornets on their home field.