Lakeville North senior running back Brian Curtis Jr. finished with 219 rushing yards and broke off three touchdown runs of 49 yards or more to feed the top-ranked Panthers' 42-13 win over Wayzata. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine
Brian Curtis’s 49-yard run on the second play from scrimmage set the tone on Friday for top-ranked Lakeville North of Class 6A.
Curtis raced into the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown two plays later and the explosive Panthers proceeded to score five touchdowns of 40-plus yards in their 42-13 homecoming victory over sixth-ranked Wayzata.
The senior running back added a 54-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and a 51-yarder in the fourth on his way to a season-high 219 rushing yards on 21 carries.
Photo Gallery: Wayzata vs. Lakeville North
“We knew coming in they take some risks with their blitz that could give us some opportunities for big plays,” Lakeville North coach Brian Vossen said. “We have some explosive athletes and they were able to take advantage.”
RaJa Nelson accounted for Lakeville North’s other two first-half touchdowns. The junior sprinted in for a 55-yard rushing score and connected with quarterback Brennan Kuebler for a 53-yard touchdown with seven seconds left in the half.
Christian Vasser’s short touchdown run pulled Wayzata within 14-6 early in the second quarter, but the Trojans (2-3) came away scoreless on their next three trips into Lakeville North territory.
Defensive back Carter Patterson capped the Panthers’ defensive effort with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“The key to any defense is being relentless in pursuit of the ball and tackling well and we did that,” Vossen said. “Wayzata is a team that throws the ball really well and our defensive backs played awesome.”
Wayzata senior quarterback Keaton Heide fires off a pass under pressure in the second quarter Friday night in Lakeville. The host Panthers toppled the Trojans 42-13. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine
First report
Top-ranked Lakeville North used a fast start and a handful of big plays Friday to pull away from sixth-ranked Wayzata.
The Panthers scored five touchdowns of 40-plus yards in their 42-13 homecoming victory over the Trojans on Friday.
It took the Panthers (5-0) just four plays to take the lead for good. Senior running back Brian Curtis broke loose for a 49-yard gain on the second play of the game, and two plays later carried the ball across the goal line from 11 yards out to put North up 7-0.
Curtis added a 54-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and a 51-yarder in the fourth on his way to a season-high 219 rushing yards on 21 carries. It was his fifth consecutive game with at least 100 yards on the ground.
RaJa Nelson accounted for Lakeville North’s other two first-half touchdowns, giving him six scores in the last three games. The junior sprinted in for a 55-yard score late in the first quarter and scored on a 53-yard passing play from quarterback Brennan Kuebler with seven seconds left in the half.
Christian Vasser’s short touchdown run pulled Wayzata within 14-6 early in the second quarter, but the Trojans (2-3) came away scoreless on their next three trips into Lakeville North territory. Defensive back Carter Patterson put an exclamation point on the Panthers’ defensive effort with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Check back later for more on the game.
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