Shakopee built a 17-point first-half lead, squandered all but three points of it in the third quarter, then rebounded thanks to a key sack and a strong effort by running back T.J. Clark in the fourth quarter of a 24-17 victory over Mounds View in a Class 6A quarterfinal game at Spring Lake Park High School.
Mounds View cut the deficit to 17-14 on a 46-yard scoring pass from Jacob Sampson to Godson Rufus-Okomhandu in the third quarter.
The Mustangs blocked a Shakopee punt on the Sabers’ next possession, but an 18-yard loss on a fourth-down sack ended the Mustangs’ threat.
Shakopee came down and scored, leaning on a steady diet of runs by Clark, capped by his 6-yard touchdown to make the score 24-14.
Mounds View added a 20-yard field goal by Cooper Fellman, but that was as close as the Mustangs would get.
Shakopee improved to 10-1 and advanced to the semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium next week. Mounds View ended its season 8-3.
