WOODBURY, MN - The Eagan Wildcats were able to pull a minor upset in the class 5A section 4 semifinals with a 38-20 win over the East Ridge Raptors Saturday night in Woodbury.

Eagan benefited from two key returns from senior return man and all around athlete Bob Rada. With Eagan leading 10-6 late in the second quarter, Rada returned a punt 50 yards from his own 11 yard line to set up his Wildcat teammates for a touchdown just before halftime. Then after halftime, he returned the opening second half kick 90 yards for a touchdown to give Eagan a commanding 24-6 lead. Rada finished the game with 188 combined yards from kick and punt returns. Besides the return game, he also had several key plays playing running back and defensive back for the Wildcats.

From there the Eagan offense, led by junior quarterback Drew Bauer, took control of the game. Bauer finished the game with 123 rushing yards on several quarterback keepers. Bauer, who normally plays as a wide receiver, was filling in for the injured Jameson Parsons.

The Wildcats were able to keep the vaunted East Ridge rushing attack led by running back Ezekial Okeleye and quarterback Dayo Idowu largely in check. Okeleye had come into the game as one of the metros leading rushers with 1,335 yards. Although he finished the game with 134 rushing yards, the Eagan defense did enough to keep him from breaking his usual long runs. Idowu finished the game with 76 yards from primarily playing quarterback.

Despite the loss, East Ridge was able to complete quite a turnaround from a year ago. Last year the Raptors went winless (0-9) in the first year of their school's existence. With their entire roster returning from a year ago, this year they were able to finish fourth in the Suburban East Conference with a final record of 7-3.

With the win, Eagan will move on to the section 4 championship against Cretin-Derham Hall next Friday night at the University of St. Thomas. Last year Eagan lost a heart breaker 21-20 to Cretin-Derham Hall in the section 4 playoffs. MSBN will have live coverage of the game.

Players of the game:

Eagan - Bob Rada, 188 total return yards, 1 touchdown
East Ridge - Dayo Idowu, 76 rushing yards, 47 passing yards