East Ridge’s football team displayed everything it has become on its road back from a putrid season start, and the concoction overwhelmed Friday’s first-round playoff opponent, Prior Lake.

The Raptors dominated throughout their 31-17 Class 6A victory. They simply played too fast, too crisp and too physical for the 10th-ranked Lakers (5-4). From a bruising running game to long passing touchdowns to three ancestor-rattling sacks, No. 4 seed East Ridge (6-3) left no doubt.

The Raptors advance to play in the round of 16 at 7 p.m. Friday at No. 1 seed Maple Grove. The Crimson routed Roseville 49-7.

Once an 0-2 team with no discernible offensive identity, East Ridge announced its candidacy as a legitimate playoff threat when coach Dan Fritze handed the keys to sophomore quarterback Tanner Zolnosky.

“I did a really poor job with the offense the first half of the season,” Fritze said. “I was way too conservative. Part of it was trusting him.”

Fritze nodded toward Zolnosky, who he realized was a cerebral player with a live arm.

“I decided, ‘You know what, I’m going to let him let it rip,’ ” Fritze said. “We weren’t going to be conservative again.”

Zolnosky has posted eight of 10 touchdowns this season in the past four games. He connected with Demeir Flemino for two touchdowns Friday. Each covered great lengths (72 and 65 yards) and came at key moments.

The first bumped the East Ridge lead to 17-0 in the second quarter. The second came one drive after Prior Lake cut its deficit to 17-10 in the third quarter.

Explosive passes aside, Prior Lake coach Matt Gegenheimer appreciated the Raptors’ season-long commitment to running the ball with purpose. Senior running back Toby Anene picked up 133 rushing yards on 28 carries and scored his team’s first touchdown.

In danger of losing its grip on the game, Prior Lake found its offensive footing. Though they were outgained 220 yards to 97 in the first half, the Lakers scored an important touchdown before halftime.

“We knew that we could close the gap,” Gegenheimer said. “The problem is, and credit to them, they played a very physical football game and it was hard for us to claw our way back in.”

Battling back is a process East Ridge, located in Woodbury, knows well.

“Starting 0-2, it was tough to keep our team motivated but we’re fighters,” Zolnosky said. “I’m so thankful to have this team come back. And to beat great teams like Prior Lake just shows that we’ve developed and gotten better each week.”

East Ridge dominated throughout its 31-17 victory in Friday’s Class 6A first round playoff game as Prior Lake, arguably the most overqualified No. 5 seed in Class 6A, struggled on the road.

The Raptors simply played too fast, too sharp and too physical for 10th-ranked Prior Lake (5-4) to handle. From a bruising running game to long passing touchdowns to three ancestor-rattling sacks, No. 4 seed East Ridge (6-3) left no doubt.

The Raptors advance to play in the round of 16 at 7 p.m. Friday at No. 1 seed Maple Grove. The Crimson routed Roseville 49-7.

Sophomore quarterback Tanner Zolnosky went deep twice to Demeir Flemino, each resulting in a touchdown. Toby Anene picked up 133 rushing yards on 28 carries and the defense frustrated Prior Lake quarterback Kyle Haas.

East Ridge led 17-7 at halftime. Prior Lake cut its deficit to 17-10 early in the third quarter. But the Raptors regained their form, expanding the lead to 31-10 and allowing the Lakers only one additional touchdown.