Wayzata Shakes Off First-Game Jitters to Down Prior Lake

Holding. Pass interference. Illegal procedure. Block in the back. 

Whistles were singing like a jukebox last night during Wayzata's opening game of the 2011 season against Prior Lake.

It was the traditional first-game jitters that likely plagued many high school football teams during their first games Thursday night, and the defending state champions were no exception.

“A little bit of it was nervousness. The kids were just excited to make something happen,” head coach Brad Anderson said. “Some of it is not being sure of what you are supposed to be doing or how you are supposed to do it.”

And the first-game nervousness doesn’t just mean penalties. It can also mean mental mistakes in coverage and field responsibilities, but the Trojans did enough Thursday night to beat the Lakers, 47-20, at Dan Patch Stadium.

The first busted play of the game came in the first couple minutes when Prior Lake running back Jack Kaiser caught the ball in the flat and wiggled his way to a cut back touchdown run of 62 yards. Kaiser’s catch and run put the Lakers ahead, 7-0.

Wayzata’s first points of the game came after senior quarterback Nick Martin had a 40-yard scamper to keep the drive alive. The Trojans would have to settle for a field goal after Prior Lake decided to bite their lip and oppose the defending champs with a tough red-zone push.  

Wayzata’s first lead of the game came after junior linebacker Will Long picked off a pass, and Martin ran it in from six yards out to make the score 10-7.

After another Trojan field goal, coach Anderson threw the dice with a fake punt that drew a pass interference penalty from the Lakers to keep the Wayzata drive alive. Senior running back—and Coon Rapids transfer—Antonio Ford would then take the ball off tackle for a 20-yard touchdown, blasting the last defender with a stiff punch to the chest and giving new meaning to the phrase “Built Ford Tough.”

The score was 19-7 at halftime after a blown extra point by Wayzata.

In the third quarter Ford became the team’s rushing workhorse after junior running back Mitch Underhill was kept out of the second half because of injury. Ford eventually gained 104 yards on 13 carries.

The second half began with both teams alternating touchdown passes. Prior Lake would then get within six points with another 25-yard touchdown pass, but the Trojans would respond with a 70-yard touchdown hookup of their own—Martin to junior wide receiver Jeff Borchardt.

With Wayzata ahead 33-20, the Trojan defense didn’t let the Lakers score again.

After a five-yard touchdown run by senior Erik Roti and an interception returned for six by sophomore defensive lineman Drew Greely, the Trojans put in the second team to finish up the game.  

Patch.com Player of the Game: Nick Martin Wayzata QB

Although there was some first-game nervousness, the senior quarterback stepped up and made plays under pressure Thursday night. The overthrown passes were forgotten about during the moments he used his legs to cut through the Prior Lake defense like a razor through Gillette Foamy. Look for the Trojans to send him on the bootleg more often. He also made accurate throws for big points when needed.  

“He made a lot of plays under pressure,” Anderson said. “He was out there a lot. I think he would have went out and played defensive back if we wanted him to at the end of the game.”

Martin ran for 49 yards on 2 carries. He also passed for 121 yards on six completions. He gave up one interception.   

What the Trojans did best

They played good old smash-mouth football on both sides of the ball. The offense established the run game enough to take important shots down field for points.

The Prior Lake offense only earned two first downs throughout the game. The Wayzata defense looked fast, aggressive and disciplined against the Laker’s misdirection rushing attack. The Trojan defense also had Prior Lake’s young quarterback acting like a boy being swarmed by bees when dropping back to pass Thursday night.

What the Trojans need to improve

This is pretty obvious. Isn’t it?  Wayzata needs to reduce penalties and mental mistakes. Those mistakes allowed the Lakers to make some big plays. Nervousness, being unsure and a lack of experience together may have all contributed to the barrage of penalties Thursday night. Look for the Trojans to turn it around, however, the main component in getting rid of nervousness is winning.

Next Game

Friday, September 9 at Eagan. Game starts at 7 p.m.