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Upset in the making

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 09/30/12, 10:09PM CDT

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Prior Lake coach Matt Gegenheimer had an inkling his team would play well before it went out and upset Lakeville North 10-6.


Prior Lake football coach Matt Gegenheimer, left

Prior Lake coach Matt Gegenheimer had an inkling his team would play well before it went out and upset Lakeville North 10-6.

"Last week we had the best week of practice we've had," Gegenheimer said. "Our kids were locked into what we were doing."

The victory may have taken root three weeks ago, when the Lakers were routed by Lakeville South 49-14.

"We beat Eagan in Week 1, and our kids may have gotten a little overconfident," Gegenheimer said. "That loss really grounded us, and we got back to practicing well."

The story was the Lakers' defense. It forced five turnovers --four interceptions and a fumble -- while holding a team that had been averaging 49.3 points per game to two field goals.

"Our defense was exceptional," Gegenheimer said. "Through our preparation and our film work, we felt like we were a step ahead of them. And when push came to shove, we started making plays."

Big in any language

News of Stillwater kicker Danny Laudet's game-winning 35-yard field goal in Friday's 17-14 victory over Mounds View was destined to reach all the way to Europe.

Laudet was born in the United States but spent 16 years in France before moving to Stillwater last year.

With a strong soccer background, he became the Ponies' kicker before this season. He had never made a field goal in a game, however, before Friday's game-winner.

Laudet said that he would use social media to tell friends back in France about his heroics.

Would they understand the significance of an American football victory?

"Winning in the last seconds in any sport is big," Laudet said. "They'll understand. They'll be happy for me."

Quick slants

• Austen Soares' 1-yard run with 8.5 seconds left helped Becker remain undefeated (5-0) with a 28-22 victory over Albany.

• Rochester John Marshall rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat Mankato West 35-28, handing the Scarlets their first regular-season loss since 2008.

METRO TOP 10

1. Eden Prairie (5-0)

2. Wayzata (4-0)

3. Osseo (5-0)

4. Totino-Grace (Class 5A, 5-0)

5. Edina (5-1)

6. Lakeville North (4-1)

7. Stillwater (4-1)

8. Mounds View (4-1)

9. Prior Lake (4-1)

10. Spring Lake Park (5A, 5-0)

Jim Paulsen

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