Lakeville South survives Anoka shootout as East Metro teams open Class 6A playoffs

The Minnesota Class 6A football playoffs opened Friday night with Round 1 action, and teams across the East Metro produced no shortage of standout performances, headlined by a thriller in the North Metro.

Lakeville South earned team of the night honors after escaping Anoka with a 51-47 victory. The Cougars leaned heavily on their running game and picked up a pair of key interceptions from their secondary to survive a difficult opening-round draw on the road.

The decisive moment came late. Trailing 47-44 and facing a third-and-6 in their own territory with just over two minutes remaining, Lakeville South went to the air for the first time all evening. Colby Olsen found Griffen Dean wide open over the middle, and Dean worked to the sideline and stayed in bounds for a 72-yard go-ahead touchdown that sealed the win.

Centennial quarterback Wesley Kukkonen took player of the night honors. Installed as the Cougars' starter just two weeks ago, Kukkonen ran for three touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime, as Centennial edged East Ridge 35-29. In two games with Kukkonen under center, the Cougars are averaging 36.5 points.

Mounds View wide receiver Case Wassink caught three passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns in the Mustangs' win over Hopkins. Forest Lake running back Mack Jurkovich, a St. Thomas commit, rushed for three scores in a 35-21 win over Edina, a measure of revenge after the Hornets beat the Rangers in overtime last season on their way to the Class 6A title.

White Bear Lake fell 63-48 to Wayzata despite a huge night from its skill players. Sophomore receiver Biran White hauled in 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns, Brian White III ran for 112 yards and three scores, quarterback Wyatt Stachowiak threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns, and Antonio Brown added nine receptions for 151 yards and a score. Wayzata answered with 63 points behind Thor Soukup, who threw three touchdowns and ran for two more, and Michael Criswell, who rushed for three scores.

In western Wisconsin, Hudson pulled off at least a seeding upset, with the third-seeded Raiders going on the road to knock off second-seeded Verona 38-13.

Round 2 of the Class 6A playoffs next week features Prior Lake at Moorhead, Wayzata at Champlin Park, Minnetonka at Blaine, Eagan at Forest Lake, St. Michael-Albertville at Rosemount, Lakeville South at Mounds View, Maple Grove at Shakopee and Centennial at Eden Prairie.

In Wisconsin's Level III, Hudson visits West De Pere, New Richmond faces Brookfield Central, Grantsburg travels to Amherst, Saint Croix Falls plays at New Glarus, Durand-Arkansaw heads to Darlington and Boyceville visits Glenwood City.