Stillwater football, Max Shikenjanski top White Bear Lake, 35-28

The Ponies remain undefeated, but the Bears had opportunities to pull the upset

The No. 3-ranked Stillwater Ponies topped the No. 17 White Bear Lake Bears in a thrilling game Friday, winning 35-28. 

White Bear Lake had an early turnover in its own territory that led to a quick Stillwater touchdown from quarterback Max Shikenjanski to Tyler Schmidt to put them up 7-0 with 11:10 left in the first quarter. Shikenjanski would throw for another 46 yard touchdown to Thomas Jacobs to put the Ponies up 14-0 with three minutes, 47 second left in the first quarter.

The second quarter had a much slower pace as the only touchdown that was a 1-yard touchdown by Chris Heim to pull the Bears within one touchdown with 4:46 remaining in the second quarter.

The third quarter started off with an interception by the Bears, which gave them coming out of half time only down by a touchdown. 

The Bears would turn it over immediately with another interception by Stillwater. Stillwater scored at the 9:31 mark with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Shikenjanski to Joe Hoheisel.

White Bear Lake would answer on its next drive on a beautiful 40-yard play action wheel route touchdown by Gavin Knutson to Rayshaun Brakes to pull within one score. 

The Ponies would score again on a 14-yard scramble by Shikenjanski to put Stillwater back on top by two touchdowns.

White Bear Lake went on to score 14 unanswered points to tie the game and completely change the momentum by the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was mostly a back-and-forth field position game for both teams. The Bears and Ponies traded possessions and Stillwater scored on a broken play touchdown from Shikenjanski to Schmidt with 6:15 left in the game. White Bear Lake drove down the field and had an opportunity with just over three minutes left to tie the game. The Bears failed to convert a short fourth down play and Stillwater took over on downs and ran out the clock to pull off a dramatic homecoming victory.

Max Shikenjanski continues to pile up touchdowns

Shikenjanski continues to add to his sterling resume his senior season. Shikenjanski put on a clinic throwing for four touchdowns and adding one on the ground. The Ponies offense is one of the deadliest in the state with three top-tier wide receivers and possibly the best quarterback in the state.

Head coach Beau LaBore said after the game that Shikenjanski “is a beast,” and that he still has yet to make a decision on his football career after high school. LaBore stated, “He’s always wanted to be a Gopher.” 

Shikenjanski was recently offered a preferred walk-on spot with the Gophers on September 18th. Shikenjanski has another offer to play basketball at the Citadel.

Key turnovers and poor special teams doom White Bear Lake

White Bear Lake received the kickoff to start the game and fumbled within a few minutes. Stillwater quickly scored a touchdown and White Bear Lake was already playing catch up. The Bears also had a potentially momentum shifting interception on Stillwater’s first drive after the half only to turn it over on the next play with an interception of their own.

White Bear Lake also gave Stillwater great field position after a poor punt deep within their own zone. Clean up any of the turnovers or the poor punt, and White Bear Lake may have pulled the upset.

White Bear Lake proved that it can compete with top teams

White Bear Lake had multiple opportunities to win this game in Stillwater and spoil homecoming. The Bears tied the game late 28-28 and were in position to tie the game at 35 with a few minutes left in the game. White Bear Lake failed to convert deep in Stillwater territory and would end up losing a very winnable game.

White Bear Lake was in position for the first game of the year against Blaine to pull off an upset and the same could be said for the game tonight against Stillwater. The emergence of Vatel Henderson and playmaking ability of Brakes makes White Bear Lake a very dangerous team down the stretch. If the Bears can avoid costly turnovers, penalties and special teams mistakes, they could be in position to make a run in the playoffs.

Stillwater’s defense may be an issue as the season progresses

Stillwater is 5-0 on the season and continues to show why it is a top team in the state. Shikenjanski may be the best player in the state and their offense has averaged 36.4 points per game on the season.

The Ponies continue to score points in bunches, but their defense has struggled in games against better teams. Centennial was in great position to win against Stillwater in week one, and it took a heroic effort by Shikenjanski to pull off a victory. The Ponies allowed 28 points again in this game against the Bears. White Bear Lake kept pace throughout the game and had a brutal early turnover along with a shanked punt that gave Stillwater 14 easy points.

The secondary for Stillwater was gashed tonight with a pair of touchdown passes, one which went for 40 yards and another that went for 95 yards on third down.

HLaBore stated after the game that they have a tough game at Forest Lake next week. The Rangers are coming off a 72-7 victory at Hopkins this week and are undefeated on the season. 

“Hopefully we won’t have one like those games” LaBore stated in reference to the games against Centennial and White Bear Lake.

Stillwater can play with anyone in the state with their offense but will need to clamp down on defense if they want to be hoisting a title at the end of the season.