The Cretin-Derham Hall (4-5) offense, which came into the game averaging more than 350 yards of offense per outing, was stifled by an impressive showing from the Prior Lake defense. 

“We did our best to shut them down,” Gordon, the receiver, said. “Coach did a great job of setting us up in the right position. When the time came to shut them down, we did, and that’s what matters.”

Cretin-Derham Hall senior quarterback Preston Thelemann completed four of his eight first-half passing attempts for 38 yards, and senior running back Tony Underwood had 44 yards on 13 carries. Gegenheimer credited his defensive line for their play in the first half.

“We knew that their quarterback was good about making plays with his feet,” Gegenheimer said. “We’re undersized for pretty much everyone we play, but our defensive line plays fast and relentless. They were able to get good pressure when we needed it.”

Prior Lake turnovers kept the game close in the second half. Three fumbles, including one that went out the side of the Cretin-Derham end zone for a touchback, kept the Raiders within two scores for most of the second half.

“We had a lot of turnovers in the game, but when our offense or defense needed to step up, they did,” Haas said. “We had each other’s backs tonight.”

After the second fumble, which came a good punt return for the Lakers, the Raiders were finally able to crack the scoreboard. The turnover led to a 61-yard touchdown pass on the next possession from Thelemann to sophomore receiver Tre Holloman. The extra point made it a 14-7 game.

“We didn’t make some plays when we needed to in the second half,” Gegenheimer said. “But overall, I was happy with our effort on defense.”

The touchdown pass was followed by six straight possessions, three by each side, where neither team could find anything to exploit in each others’ defenses. But finally, after a Prior Lake defensive stand and a punt return to the Raiders’ 46-yard line, the Lakers found their magic in their final offensive drive with 4:58 left on the clock.

Haas, who finished with three of five passes completed for 80 yards, connected on a 21-yard pass with junior running back Tyler Shaver on third and eight. Then, three plays later, Haas’ found Gordon.

“I was giving him a hard time for never throwing me the ball in practice,” Gordon said. “Coach said at halftime that the play was going to work.”

The Raiders’ Thelemann, who completed 11 of 21 passes for 123 yards and two TDs, found junior wide receiver Marselio Mendez for an 11-yard score with 1:26 left on the clock, but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by senior Matt Becker of the Lakers. Prior Lake ran out the clock and celebrated their victory.

“The schedule we played was brutal,” Gegenheimer said. “But we weren’t ready to say goodbye just yet.”