Familiar scenario plays out for Wildcats

Recer preserves victory with interception for second time in three games

Farmington was running out of time and decided to risk passing in the direction of Eagan defensive back Grady Recer.

It didn’t work. Recer jumped ahead of a receiver in the Eagan red zone and intercepted the pass with five seconds remaining, preserving the Wildcats’ lead in what eventually became an 18-10 victory Oct. 4.

To Eagan fans, this was familiar. Just two weeks earlier Recer intercepted a pass deep in Wildcat territory, allowing his team to hang on and defeat Lakeville South 35-33.

“It felt the exact same – a diving interception right at the 4 (yard line),” Recer said. “That route was a comeback which we never saw and weren’t really planning for at all, but I got there just at the right time.”

There are still two games remaining in the regular season, but the victory over Farmington strengthens Eagan’s case for a No. 2 seed when the Class 6A football playoffs start later this month. Unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Lakeville North likely has locked down the top seed in Section 3. Eagan has the second-best overall record in the section at 4-2, as well as the second-best record against section opponents (4-1).

A No. 2 seed would ensure a first-round home game for Eagan, and the Wildcats also would be at home for the second round if they advance. Games are played at neutral sites from the quarterfinals through Prep Bowl.

While it might be too early for the Wildcats to think about the playoffs, the defense played postseason football against Farmington. The Tigers (3-3) came into the game averaging more than 27 points a game but were held to 191 yards and 10 points against Eagan. Most of Farmington’s yards and all of its points came in the second half.

“We’ve had some games this year where our offense outscored them and our defense was OK,” Eagan coach Nick Johnson said. “Tonight, they were great.

“I think it still comes down to the D-line and linebackers shutting the run game down and forcing the quarterback to be uncomfortable. Then there were a couple of times when our coverages were pretty awesome. Our offense struggled tonight, but our defense came through and got us a win.”

Eagan quarterback Brooklyn Evans scored on fourth and goal from the 2-yard line – his second touchdown of the game – as Eagan built an 18-0 lead in the third quarter. It looked like the Wildcats were on their way to a comfortable victory, but it wasn’t that easy.

Farmington’s Ethan Giesler kicked a 26-yard field goal late in the third quarter. On the second play of the fourth quarter, the Tigers’ Hayden Houghton recovered a mishandled snap at the Eagan 45. Several minutes later, Tigers quarterback Jonah Ask hit Brock Wyandt with an 11-yard touchdown pass on fourth down, bringing Farmington within one score.

The Tigers got the ball back at their own 22 with 3 minutes, 41 seconds remaining and one timeout. They got as far as the Eagan 20 with 16 seconds left before Recer’s interception ended the drive.

“The first half was our big moment,” said Recer, a junior. “We tackled great, because they didn’t even have a first down in the first half. The second half they came out stronger, got a field goal, scored a touchdown. Being able to stop them late was huge for us.”

“Farmington’s defense made some adjustments that were making things a little bit hard for us,” Johnson said. “We need to stop fumbling the ball, but tonight was a great example of a team that didn’t quit.”

Evans rushed for 165 yards on 32 carries and scored twice. Logan Gilbertson (76 yards) and Gage Halvorson (63 yards) contributed to the Eagan rushing attack. Linebacker Christian Langhorst had two unassisted tackles and five assists.

Farmington’s Ask completed 11 of 18 passes for 115 yards and one score. Wyandt had four catches for 57 yards and a score, and linebacker Christopher Rehak had 15 tackles, nine unassisted.

Farmington retains a strong chance for a first-round home playoff game. The Tigers’ last two regular-season opponents are each 0-6, starting with Burnsville at home at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, followed by a game at Coon Rapids on Thursday, Oct. 17.

Eagan plays Friday at Forest Lake, which also is 4-2. The Wildcats probably don’t need to be reminded of their recent struggles with Forest Lake; they have lost to the Rangers the last two years, including a Class 6A playoff game in 2022.

Mike Shaughnessy can be reached at mike.shaughnessy@apgecm.com.