Losing three fumbles in the first 14 plays makes it tough for any football team.

When your team does that against Eden Prairie, it makes for a very long night.

EP turned the miscues into 10 points in taking a 31-0 halftime lead. The Eagles added a pair of second-half touchdowns to win 45-0.

The Hawks were fired up early in the game, as running back Pat Smith gained 9 yards on a sweep to pick up a first down. But the Eagles got the ball three plays later on the first Chaska fumble.

The Eagles took over on the 38-yard line and got moving, as sophomore wideout Rumeal Harris snagged a 16-yard pass to get EP to the 11-yard line. But the Hawks stopped the drive, as Hawk senior Ronnell Albert stopped junior back Gage Shaeffer for a 4-yard loss on first down and the defense allowed one yard on the next two plays. EP kicker Nate Rosol booted a 28-yard field goal for the first points of the game.

The Hawks gave the ball right back to the home team, fumbling away a pitch on the next play.

The teams traded punts, then the Eagles broke it open. EP junior Mitch Wheeler took a short pass from Taylor Grant and was headed to the end zone. But hustling Hawk senior Tony Asao tripped up Wheeler at the last moment. The ball popped loose as Wheeler hit the ground, but the Eagles retained possesion at the 1-yard line. Zach Barbur scored two plays later.

Chaska lost another fumble on a pitch deep in its own territory and EP's Mitch Hallstrom recovered it at the 14-yard line. Brandon Allen scored two plays later to put the Eagles up 17-0.

The Eagles scored twice more before halftime: T.J. Fisher rushed 9 yards for a score with 3:25 to go before the break and Taylor Grant grabbed a 4-yard pass from Sam Gotham with 11 seconds left.

Chaska is back home next Friday to take on Burnsville. Game time is 7 p.m.