Prior Lake beats Mounds View in Minnesota high school football playoffs

The Lakers knocked off the Mustangs in the Class 6A playoffs

Carter Dooner | Oct 27, 2023

ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA — The Prior Lake Lakers (5-4) defeated the Mounds View Mustangs (4-5) 17-15 Friday at Mounds View High School.

Prior Lake took its first drive all the way to the goal line, but a false start penalty on 4th and goal forced the Lakers to settle for a field goal.

The Mustangs answered with a field goal of their own to make it 3-3 after one quarter.

Ben Hoiland would add another field goal late in the second quarter as Mounds View went into halftime leading 6-3.

A errant Laker snap through the back of the end zone gave the mustangs an 8-3 lead midway through the third quarter. It was be Prior Lake, though, who would score the games first touchdown as Hunter Macgillivray broke lose on a 68-yard scamper to give the Lakers an 11-8 lead.

The Mustangs answered with a 2-yard quarterback keeper from Jacob Sampson with just over seven minutes to go to give them the lead back, 15-11.

A game-winning touchdown pass from Caden Wick to Levi Either with two minutes, 14 seconds to go proved to be the difference as Prior Lake escaped Mounds View with a 17-15 victory.

Timely offense from the Lakers

After a frustrating first half on the offensive side of the ball, Prior Lake leaned on senior running back Macgillivray to kickstart the game in the second half. Macgillivray broke through the second level and turned on the burners as he would go the distance on a 68-yard touchdown run.

“I just saw the hole, ran fast, and went right through it,” Macgillivray said. The play would stand as the longest play of the game for either squad.

Down by four late in the fourth quarter the Lakers needed another big moment, and this time it was junior Levi Eiter, who answered the bell.

Eiter caught a swing-pass from his quarterback and took it to the house to give Prior Lake the lead late.

“I knew the swing-pass was open, [Wick] had a good ball to me, and I just made it to the end zone,” Eiter said.

Bend but don't break

Both teams would have to settle for field goals in the first half as it was tough sledding for both offenses.

“We didn't play our best football in the first half.” Head coach Matt Gegenheimer said. “Credit to Mounds View, they played extremely well against us all night.”

Mounds View quarterback Jacob Sampson was able to find some success against the Laker defense as he would be responsible for the lone Mustang touchdown.

The big stand for Prior Lake would come with less than two minutes to go.

With the Mustangs down 17-15 and trying to mount a game winning drive, the Lakers defense stepped up, causing a turnover on downs.

“Mounds View has some scary athletes out there, so I credit our defense for stepping up late and getting the stop,” Gegenheimer said.

The Mustangs would get the ball back in the waning seconds, but Prior Lake stood tall, not allowing the Mustangs to get off a Hail Mary.

On to the Cougars

Tonight marked Prior Lake’s first road playoff win since 2000.

The win will set up a date with top seeded Centennial next week with a spot in the section final on the line.

“We've had a tough schedule and I think it will prepare us for these types of moments,” Gegenheimer said.

The Cougars trounced Burnsville 61-6 tonight, and are currently riding a six game win streak, but the Lakers running back tandem remains confident in their abilities.

“Doesn't matter who we play, it's just smash-mouth football” Eiter said.

Macgillivray added: “I am not worried about it at all.”