Maple Grove football coach Adam Spurrell was inspired by the Eden Prairie teams of the 1990s through the 2010s that stacked state titles together during memorable runs at the Prep Bowl.

In his second year heading the program, Spurrell envisions that same level of dominance for the Crimson, who enter Friday night’s home opener vs. Eden Prairie vying for their third Class 6A state championship in four years.

“I want us to be the team everybody thinks about,” Spurrell said. “To watch what Eden Prairie’s done the last 20 years, that’s what I want Maple Grove to be in the next 20 years.”

The No. 1 team in the Minnesota Star Tribune Top 25, Maple Grove still has a ways to go to get anywhere near what Eden Prairie has accomplished with a record-tying 11 Prep Bowl victories.

The Eagles’ most recent run as a dynasty included four straight 6A championships from 2011 to 2014. They also won four state titles from 1996 to 2002.

The Crimson, who opened with a 37-17 win at Stillwater last week, are deep in talent, with eight players committed to playing college football in Division I, Division II or Division III. That number could grow to 10.

“Our depth in the program is great,” Spurrell said. “I do hope that Maple Grove continues to be a team that is on the upward trend.”

Matt Lombardi, who became Maple Grove’s coach in 2011, led the Crimson to their first state championship game in 2021, and they finished runner-up. The following year, Maple Grove went undefeated.

Lombardi’s longtime assistant and defensive coordinator, Spurrell took over the program last season. The Crimson have the talent to make back-to-back Prep Bowl appearances.

Senior quarterback Kaden Harney, who is committed to South Dakota State, and senior offensive tackle Matthew Perusse, a Montana State commit, were the only two returning offensive starters this year.

Still, senior James Engle Jr. finished with 124 yards and two touchdowns in his first start Thursday. The Minnesota State Mankato recruit was the workhorse Maple Grove desperately needed on the ground early, especially after the Crimson fell behind in the first quarter against Stillwater.

Last year, Engle was Maple Grove’s third-leading rusher with 247 yards when he played in the backfield behind current North Dakota freshman Charles Langama.

“Charles was a great player and super reliable, but last year James didn’t get the looks and the carries,” Perusse said. “I don’t think we’re going to lose a step with James in the backfield. And our O-line is figuring it out and getting better every day.”

Engle wasn’t much of a mystery after opposing coaches thought he was the best playmaker in a six-team preseason scrimmage showcase last month that included Minnetonka, Lakeville North, Wayzata and Centennial.

“I’m really excited because I’m not just a running back,” Engle said. “I’m a slot, too. I can run routes, so you can put me anywhere on the field and I’ll fit in there.”

Another new starter with preseason buzz was senior wide receiver Henry Knutson, who caught a spectacular 10-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone against Stillwater.

“James and Henry could’ve played more on any other team in the state last year,” Harney said. “I had full confidence that these guys would step in and make plays.”

Spurrell planned to lean heavily on his defense, which returned four starters in linebacker Ryder Skanson (Air Force), defensive back Brayden Dozier (North Dakota State), defensive back Gavin Elmquist (Minnesota State Mankato) and linebacker Beaux Thyen.

The team is also excited about newcomer T.J. Williams, a junior defensive back from Texas.

“T.J. is a great player and is still developing as well,” Thyen said. “And he’s going to be here for another year after us. I’m expecting big things from him.”

Maple Grove football players avoided comparing last year’s Class 6A championship team to the squad this year, but the goal is the same.

Reloading with major talent each year will determine how close Maple Grove gets to maintaining that consistent championship level.

“It’s a new team with new players, but we have the mentality we’re trying to make it back to the Bank,” Thyen said.