“We believe we can win this year,” said quarterback Mark Handberg the Wednesday before the Edina hornet football team took on the Eden Prairie Eagles at their homecoming. And win they have. After victories over all four teams in the Lake Conference, Bolt’s boys have been on a winning streak and are entering the play-offs ranked first in state.

Senior captains Coleman Foley, Mark Handberg, Ian Collins, Miles Lerner, and Deon Dorvil have proved to be inspirational leaders for this 2012 team. “We try and keep everyone focused by leading by example,” said Foley. Lerner added that a lot of juniors have stepped up this year and are contributing to the success. This motivation throughout the hornet squad has created chemistry that has been missing in previous years. Every time the hornets take the field, they are playing for each other.

Every athlete has their own pre-game ritual or superstition to get them psyched for the big game, and the hornet football players are no exception. Lerner’s routine starts Thursday night, when he goes to “get a Frosty with Jane Thotland.” Afterwards he goes on a walk with his dad and dogs to talk about football. Foley and Handberg take a slightly different approach. “I watch the Moment of Impact video right before I step out onto the field,” said Foley. “It’s a football video of big hits and star players making big plays,” he explained, “It gets me really pumped up.” Handberg on the other hand watches videos of his quarter-back idol, Cam Newton, for inspiration.

The Hornets take on Blaine this Friday night, in their second playoff game. A rowdy student section can be expected under the Friday night lights to support the team. Edina is getting ready for what could be one of the biggest events of the year, and standing behind their varsity football team 100%, believing that once and for all, Edina is number one.