36 Yard Kicker: Final Second Upset Shakes Metro Playoff Seeds
A late field goal in the south metro and a record-breaking rushing total define the final night of the Class 6A regular season.
By Natalia Campos ·
A 36 yard field goal with one second remaining on the clock defined the final night of the Class 6A high school football regular season in Minnesota. The kick, executed by Lakeville South sophomore kicker Dylan Nelson, secured a 17-14 upset victory over Rosemount. This dramatic finish in the south metro complicated the seeding landscape for the upcoming playoffs and provided a fitting end to a week of varied results across the East Metro region.
The standout performance of the night belonged to Forest Lake running back Mack Jurkovich. He rushed for 245 yards and two touchdowns to lead his Rangers to a 31-13 victory over Stillwater. This win secured a No. 2 seed for Forest Lake in the Class 6A playoffs. Jurkovich, who has committed to play college football at St. Thomas, finished the regular season with 1,600 rushing yards, marking him as the top individual performer among the region's teams.
In another key matchup, Roseville claimed the Metro Maroon subdistrict title with a 24-14 win over Coon Rapids. The Raiders finished the regular season with a 4-4 record, their best mark since 2017. Senior quarterback Chase Browning was the engine behind the offense, throwing for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Browning described the team's achievement as an amazing feeling, noting that the hard work of the entire roster was finally paying off in a tangible way.
Several other teams secured favorable positions in the playoff bracket during the final weekend. Centennial defeated Anoka 38-6, a result that likely guarantees the Cougars a No. 3 seed and positions them as a serious contender for a deep run into November. Notably, Anoka was held to just six points, which was the first time the team had been kept in single digits this season. Meanwhile, East Ridge closed a challenging season with a 42-31 win over rival Woodbury, highlighted by two rushing touchdowns from Logan Tretter and a late interception return for a score by Elias Mather.
Mounds View also claimed sole possession of the Metro East subdistrict title in a tight contest against White Bear Lake. The Mustangs trailed by two points but took the lead when quarterback Tanner Jude scored on a one yard run with 65 seconds left. A successful two point conversion extended the lead to six points. Preston Johnson then intercepted a pass on White Bear Lake's next possession to seal the 22-16 victory. The Mounds View defense was dominant, limiting White Bear Lake quarterback Wyatt Stachowiak to just six completions on 24 attempts.
Individual brilliance also shone through in the Park versus Eastview game. Junior receiver Manny Vargas scored twice in the Wolfpack's 18-10 win. He caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt 75 yards for a score. These performances, alongside the subdistrict titles and seeding implications, set the stage for the Class 6A playoffs, where the top seeds will look to build on their regular season momentum.
The regular season has now concluded for all Class 6A teams in the East Metro. With subdistrict titles decided and key seeds locked in, the focus shifts entirely to the postseason. The results from Friday night provide a clear picture of the strengths and weaknesses of the region's top programs as they prepare for the next round of competition.
