They’re finally playing how I know that they’re capable of playing, so I was very proud of them.”

Head coach Rick Fryklund

In a season of tough luck and inopportune miscues for the Park Wolfpack, this game probably hurt the most.

The Wolfpack had multiple chances to come out with their first win of the season Friday night in a tight Homecoming contest. But made one too many turnovers at crucial times and dropped a very tough 9-7 decision to visiting Coon Rapids. Numerous Park players were seen in tears after the final gun.

The Wolfpack slipped to 0-6 on the season, while Coon Rapids won its first game of the fall, improving to 1-5.

Asked if he thinks the Wolfpack are a bit snakebit this season, especially with all the injuries that have sidelined multiple starters, and drive-killing penalties and turnovers, head coach Rick Fryklund said:

“Yea, there’s still a lot of stuff that’s within our control, however,” Fryklund noted. “Despite all those obstacles and that adversity. Unfortunately, our turnovers continue to come at inopportune times, and the penalties come at inopportune times. I’m not sure about the stat sheet tonight but it felt like we had a pretty good night, doing some different things offensively. Unfortunately, when you turn the ball over and you can’t finish off a drive it’s going to come like that.”

Park’s defense played one of its best games of the season, holding Coon Rapids to just 217 total yards, including just 20 yards rushing.

“It was great to see them,” Fryklund said of the Park defense. “They’re finally playing how I know that they’re capable of playing, so I was very proud of them. I know it was nine, but they only gave up seven cause that one was a special teams. So, it was great to see those guys flying around and playing defense like I knew we could.”

But two Park turnovers – and killing penalties (6 for 80 yards) ultimately did in the Wolfpack’s chances.

n Park fumbles once at the Coon Rapids three-yard line in the last play of the third quarter.

n Another turnover happened with about eight minutes left in the fourth period on third and four at the 39.

n The Wolfpack intercepted a Coon Rapids pass and had a long return with two minutes to play but the play was called back because of pass interference.

Park had one final chance to score in the final two minutes, but three incomplete passes and then a quarterback keeper run by Latavian Scott came up short on fourth down.

While Park’s defense was solid throughout, the offense couldn’t quite punch it in when the Wolfpack had chances. The Wolfpack rushed for 133 yards but passed for just 15 yards for 148 total yards. Park was just 2 of 13 converting on third down’s (15 percent).

After a scoreless first period. Coon Rapids cashed quickly in with a safety and then a 41-yard pass play to take a 9-0 lead. Park answered back with a 2-yard run by Olumide Aluko to close to 9-7. And that, despite several opportunities by both teams, was where the score stayed.

And that was it for the scoring, although both teams threatened in the second half, neither could punch in more points.

Aluko rushed 20 times for an even 100 yards and Park’s lone touchdown but also had a fumble. None of the other Park backs managed more than 10 yards. Scott completed just 4 of 8 passes for 15 yards.

Park’s defense, especially against the run, was solid. Senior lineman Robert Schmitzer has three solo tackles, two assists, two sacks and three tackles for loss. Nolan Sease had eight total tackles and two tackles for losses. Jesse Wright and Jairus Boston each had two solo stops, three assists, one sack and one tackle for loss and Lance Hayes had nine total stops.

Park plays at winless Roseville (0-2, 0-6) Friday, then wraps up the regular season with a home game against Eastview (2-1, 2-4). Like Park, Roseville has had a tough season. The team has been shutout in four of six games and is averaging just 120 total yards per game.

Metro-Maroon standings

Hopkins 3-0 3-3

Eastview 2-1 2-4

Coon Rapids 1-1 1-5

Park 0-2 0-6

Roseville 0-2 0-6

Last week’s results

Coon Rapids 9, Park 7

Hopkins 42, Eastview 28

Centennial 36, Roseville 0