Prior Lake is undefeated through two weeks after triumphs over a pair of west metro foes, including a 42-0 shutout of Edina last Thursday, but the Lakers may have found their match heading into Week 3.
When Lakeville South’s human road grader Riley Mahlman punches Winnebago-sized holes in opposing defenses, teammate Riley Haglund is all too eager to run through them. Same goes for Will Geary. And Josh Jacobson. And … you get the idea. The Cougars, ranked No. 1 in the Class 6A statewide Associated Press poll from Oct. 14, rely heavily on the muscle provided by Mahlman, a 6-foot-8, 285-pound senior committed to Wisconsin.
Heading into Friday’s showdown against No. 3-6A Prior Lake, Mahlman has helped Lakeville South (2-0, 2-0) amass 904 rushing yards — the most in the state. The Cougars, state semifinalists last season, also share the state lead in scoring with Farmington with 116 points. Haglund leads Lakeville South’s stable of running back with 231 yards and four touchdowns.
Prior Lake (2-0, 2-0) likes to pound it on the ground, too. The Lakers are fifth in the state with 661 yards, a 7.0 yards-per-carry average. Senior running back Tyler Shaver powers Prior Lake with 332 yards and has run for three TDs, one of which clinched a 29-28 season-opening win over defending Class 6A champ Wayzata. Shaver's also caught three passes for 64 yards and another touchdown.