Moorhead focuses on safety for homecoming game

MOORHEAD — A homecoming football game on Friday night, Oct. 9, comes with added wariness for students, fans and school officials. Thousands of fans are seated at Jim Gotta Stadium to watch the top-ranked Moorhead Spuds football team against Eden Prairie. Two teenagers were shot and had non-life-threatening injuries at Eden Prairie's homecoming game last week. Moorhead High School Athletic Director Dean Haugo says they expect about 3,500 people for Friday night's game. High school football has been a high-traffic event in Moorhead all season. So much so, Moorhead police say they have been preparing for crowds like this since July. There were lots of conversations, and it really started last Saturday morning, said Haugo. Moorhead High School Athletic Director Dean Haugo speaks with WDAY News on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, ahead of the homecoming football game against Eden Prairie. Ryan McNamara / WDAY It was a scene described as a tragedy by Eden Pra