Quite unlike last season’s defensive-dominated 9-7 win by Coon Rapids over Park, Friday’s night game features lots of offense.

Coon Rapids did its damage in the first half, Park the second. Coon Rapids led 21-0 at the half. Park won the second half convincingly, 21-3.

But one too many first-half turnovers and little miscues doomed the Wolfpack in a hard-fought 24-21 loss to the hosts Friday. That second half, however, is one to build on.

Asked what turned it around for the Wolfpack in the second half, Park head coach Rick Fryklund could only smile. “That’s a great question. I wish I would have figured it out sooner whatever it was. Obviously with three turnovers that we had we didn’t have those in the second half. We showed we can do some things when we don’t turn the ball over.

“That first drive all the way down and then I think we’re on the two and then to not come away with points because of some of the things that went down there,” Fryklund continued. “You know we talk a lot about the little things and the little things that were killing us in the first half we just didn’t do in the second half and it led to a pretty darn entertaining second half. And while you can say its Park 21-3 in the second half, the game is still four quarters,”

The Wolfpack scored three touchdowns in the second half, the first on a 23-yard run by Olumide Aluko in the third quarter.

Park then had two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, a 9-yard run by Myles Colbeth followed by a 17-yard pass from quarterback Esten Erickson to Kalab Miftah with 5:46 to play.

But time then ran out on the surging Wolfpack. Still it was a half to remember, one of the best the Wolfpack have played this season.

Erickson completed 19 of 35 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown.

Aluko had one of his best nights of the season, rushing for 129 yards and a score on 22 carries. Colbeth was also productive with 8 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown.

“Really just trusting my o-line and trusting the coaches, for the calls and trusting my team,” said Aluko when asked what turned the game around for the Wolfpack and his big night.

Manny Vargas (4 receptions, 54 yards), Colbeth (5 catches, 52 yards). Aluko (5 catches, 19 yards) and Miftah (four catches for 27 yards) all had solid contributions in the passing game.

“Myles Colbeth had a great night,” said Fryklund. “Ricky Santos and Gabe Przekurat. Whatever happened in the second half it was fun to watch those guys fly around and play defense.”

“We came back from 21-0 and kept the momentum shifting,” said Colbeth. Obviously, we came out with a loss but I think we played out hardest and did our best in that second half.”

“I think what turned it around for us was we all got together and realized we just need to amp things up and come together as a team, “said lineman Nolan Weisbrod.

Santos Jr. had a monster night defensively, leading Park with 11 solo tackles and three assists. Manny Vargas had eight total tackles, Przekurat and Demetrius Stewart five each. Park totaled 34 solos and 55 total stops on the night.

“It has a lot of competition to our other games but definitely I think it was the best I’ve seen my own teammates play,” said Santos on Park’s explosive second half. “We really came back and tried as hard as we could.”

“I do think our defense did a great job, but I don’t think it’s our best (half),” said Przekurat.

Park now has a very quick turnaround, facing Roseville at Cottage Grove Wednesday with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Roseville won last season’s game 17-0

Friday night scores

Coon Rapids 24, Park 21

Eastview 58, Hopkins 34

No. 5 Centennial 44, Roseville 21

Metro-Maroon standings

Conf Overall

Coon Rapids 2-0 3-3

Roseville 2-0 2-4

Park 1-1 1-5

Eastview 1-2 2-4

Hopkins 0-3 0-6

Wednesday’s games

Roseville at Park, 7 p.m.

Coon Rapids at Hopkins

Eastview at Eden Prairie

Top 25 games

No. 1 Moorhead 55, No. 2 Eden Prairie 34

No. 4 Champlin Park 43, Anoka 21

No. 7 Forest Lake 44, East Ridge 27

No. 11 Minnetonka 28, No. 8 Wayzata 14