The Prior Lake Lakers used a balanced mix of explosive runs and timely defensive takeaways to defeat Lakeville North 28–7 on September 26 at Lakeville North High School. Running back Luke Watkins and receiver/running back Aiden Mbinda each rushed for more than 100 yards and a touchdown as the Lakers secured their second win of the season.
It marked the third straight victory for Prior Lake (2–3 Overall, 2–1 Metro South) over Lakeville North (1–4 Overall, 0–3 Metro South) dating back to 2021.
The night opened with a wild exchange of turnovers. On the Panthers’ first snap, linebacker Brady Gegenheimer forced a fumble that safety Cole Brinkman recovered at the North 25. But on the very next play, quarterback Drew Brinkman’s wheel-route pass to Mbinda was intercepted at the 3-yard line.
After North was forced to punt, the Lakers took advantage of strong field position at the Panther 40. A nine-play march ended with running back Tully Mannion plunging in from a yard out. Kicker Daniel Vannett added the PAT for a 7–0 lead late in the quarter.
On the next series, linebackers Sean Nadeau and Jackson Didion combined for a third-down stop to force another punt, giving Prior Lake momentum to close the frame.
Early in the second quarter, Mbinda sparked the offense with a 32-yard jet sweep to the 10-yard line. Two plays later, running back Dylan Hawley powered in from a yard out to make it 14–0.
Watkins then provided one of the game’s highlights. Taking a toss left, he weaved through defenders, spun out of two tacklers, and broke free for an 84-yard touchdown run that pushed the margin to 21–0 with 2:42 left in the half.
North threatened just before halftime, but linebacker Ryan Block recovered a fumbled snap to halt the drive. Prior Lake nearly extended the lead after quarterback Drew Brinkman connected with wide receiver Colten Gunderson on a leaping grab inside the 25. A holding penalty, however, stalled the drive, and Vannett’s 45-yard field goal attempt at the horn sailed wide right to keep it 21–0 at intermission.
On Prior Lake’s opening drive of the half, a bobbled snap on a handoff exchange left quarterback Drew Brinkman scrambling, and his fourth-down pass to Colten Gunderson in the end zone fell incomplete, turning the ball over on downs.
Lakeville North responded by stringing together multiple third- and fourth-down conversions on the next couple of drives to move the ball inside the 10. But on fourth-and-two, linebackers Sean Nadeau and Jackson Didion knifed into the backfield to stuff Panther running back Zion Davis, preserving the shutout as the third quarter ended.
Mbinda put the game out of reach early in the fourth, taking the ball on a counter play up the middle and racing 66 yards untouched for a touchdown that made it 28–0 with 8:34 remaining.
Cole Brinkman then added to the defensive showcase. Dropping into coverage, he read quarterback Mason Eberle’s eyes and jumped a deep post route, intercepting the pass near his own 25-yard line. Though the Lakers’ offense couldn’t convert the takeaway into points, the turnover all but ended North’s comeback hopes.
The Panthers finally broke through in the final two minutes with a two-yard touchdown run, but Prior Lake comfortably secured the 28–7 win.
Noteworthy Stats vs. Lakeville North
– RB/WR Aiden Mbinda — 12 carries, 162 yards, TD
– RB Luke Watkins — 9 carries, 106 yards, TD
– RB Dylan Hawley — 11 carries, 53 yards, TD
– QB Drew Brinkman — 4-for-8 passing, 35 yards, INT
– LB Sean Nadeau — 10 tackles
– LB Brady Gegenheimer — 9 tackles, forced fumble
– CB Noah Kalipe — 8 tackles
– LB Ryan Block — 8 tackles, fumble recovery
– LB Jack Written — 7 tackles
– S Cole Brinkman — interception, fumble recovery
The Lakers return home to Dan Patch Stadium on Friday, Oct. 3, for a Homecoming rivalry matchup with the Shakopee Sabers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Prior Lake and Shakopee have faced off regularly dating back to their Missota Conference days and have continued the rivalry in the South Suburban Conference. The Lakers have won seven of the last ten meetings, though Shakopee has claimed the last two, including a 28–21 victory at Dan Patch Stadium last season. The teams also share the same section, giving Friday’s game potential playoff seeding implications.
Shakopee is led by longtime head coach Ray Betton and enters the week at 4–1 overall, 2–1 in the Metro South. The Sabers opened with wins over Eagan (41–0), Lakeville South (16–12) and Stillwater (49–28) before falling to Rosemount (17–10). They bounced back last week with a 36–19 victory over Osseo.
The Sabers feature a triple-option rushing attack similar to what Prior Lake has already seen this season from Eagan and Rosemount. Quarterback Jake Courts has been efficient through the air (21 of 34, 394 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT) and added 166 rushing yards and a score.
The ground game remains Shakopee’s calling card, with five rushers over 150 yards. Chris Peris leads the way with 355 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 28 carries. Carson Turner, who suffered a severe leg injury against Prior Lake in last year’s matchup, has returned strong with 51 carries for 299 yards and 3 scores. Joseph Taye has added 298 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Judah Forsberg—last year’s starting quarterback, now playing running back—has chipped in 199 yards and 3 touchdowns. Courts rounds out the attack with 166 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Quinn Shriever is the top receiving threat (11 receptions, 212 yards, 6 TD), with Peris and Forsberg contributing as receivers. Defensively, Andrew McGee (51 tackles) and Blake Betton (47 tackles) are among the team’s top producers.
The Sabers are ranked No. 6 in the latest Star Tribune Class 6A poll released Sept. 30. The Lakers are unranked.
