Prior Lake ends Moorhead's perfect season in 6A playoffs
A 19-14 upset in the second round sends the Lakers to the quarterfinals and cuts the Spuds' record to 9-1.
By Robert Marshall ·
The Minnesota Class 6A football playoffs took an unexpected turn on Friday at Jim Gotta Stadium in Moorhead. Prior Lake defeated top-ranked Moorhead 19-14 in the second round. The result ended the Spuds' unbeaten season. The Lakers travel from Prior Lake, roughly 248 miles away, to secure the win.
Prior Lake junior running back Luke Watkins rushed for 94 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. He scored a 35-yard touchdown with 3:11 left in the first half to give the visitors a 7-0 lead. Moorhead head coach Kevin Feeney said his team failed to execute in key situations. The Spuds entered the game with a 46.8 points per game average and five senior Division I prospects on the roster.
Moorhead struggled in the red zone during the first half. They failed to score on two opportunities. Jett Feeney threw an incomplete pass to the corner of the end zone on third down. A delay-of-game penalty pushed back the field goal attempt. Jovaney Kanneh's 30-yard kick hit the upright and missed. The Spuds led 7-6 at the start of the third quarter after a 44-yard touchdown pass from Feeney to Caleb Kazeck.
Prior Lake quarterback Bauer Tabatt threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Josh Barlass caught an 18-yard pass with 11:11 remaining to make the score 13-6. Leo Gidley caught a 24-yard pass with 2:45 left to extend the lead to 19-6. Jett Feeney ran for a 4-yard touchdown with 2:01 remaining. He converted the 2-point play to narrow the gap to 19-14. Moorhead failed to recover the onside kick.
Zak Loehlein intercepted two passes from Jett Feeney in the fourth quarter. Feeney finished 11 of 24 for 128 yards and one touchdown. He threw two interceptions in the game. Prior Lake head coach Matt Gegenheimer noted his team started the season 0-4. They won six straight games to reach the quarterfinals. The Lakers will play No. 2 seed Rosemount on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Moorhead finished the season 9-1. Star receiver David Mack sat out the game due to injury. Seniors Jett Feeney, Mack, Zak Walker, and Taye Reich will play for the University of Minnesota next season. Drew Kessel will play at North Dakota State. Kevin Feeney said he was thankful for the senior group. They met the team's high standards throughout the year.
