Playing before a jam-packed Homecoming crowd of more than 2,500, 12th-ranked Wayzata overpowered the visiting Park Wolfpack Friday night, winning 43-6.

A surprising 1-8 last season, the Wayzata Trojans looked and acted the part of a top 10 team Friday, dominating the Wolfpack both offensively and defensively. A new coaching staff apparently turned the Trojans around this season in a big way.

Wayzata broke out of the game strongly, taking a 22-0 lead in the first quarter before the Wolfpack got on the scoreboard.

Park senior quarterback Esten Erickson connected on a pretty 32-yard pass to wide out Kalab Miftah to make it a 22-6 game late in the first quarter but that was the only points Park could put on the scoreboard on the night.

Wayzata scored three more touchdowns in the second quarter and led 43-6 at the break. And that was it for the scoring.

Park defensively struggled to contain Wayzata strong passing attack in the first half. Wayzata quarterback Thor Soukup completed 10 of 15 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns, many of them to Weston Moeller who had 6 receptions for 165 yards and scored three times.

The Trojans went to 4-1 on the season, their only loss a 41-22 decision to top-ranked Moorhead.

Park fell to 1-4 overall, all four season losses to top 20 teams.

The Trojans dominated the game statistics wise, gaining 399 total yards to 177 for the Wolfpack and gaining 22 first downs to just eight for Park. The Wolfpack were just 2-of-10 in third down efficiency.

Park totaled 103 passing yards but ran for just 74 on the ground. The Trojans had 245 passing yards and 154 rushing.

Park again hurt itself with penalties, committing 7 infractions for 91 yards to 6 and 50 for Wayzata. Both teams had two turnovers.

Erickson was 6 of 15 passing for 103 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Junior running back Olumide Aluko returned from missing last week with an injury and led Park in rushing, carrying 14 times for 76 yards with a long gainer of 22. None of the other Park running backs gained more than 15 yards on the night.

Kaleb Miftah had 4 receptions for 64 tards and Park’s only touchdown. Manny Vargas has 2 catches for 39 yards.

Defensively junior linebacker Ricky Santos Jr. again led the Wolfpack with nine total tackles. Kellen Simmons had four tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. Demetrius Stewart had six tackles, D’Angelo Boyd five and Nolan Sease, Gabe Przekurat and Vargas four each.

With 19th-ranked White Bear Lake, Stillwater, 11th-ranked Forest Lake and 12th-ranked Wayzata in the rear view mirror, Park’s remaining Metro-Maroon schedule eases up considerably.

After meeting four teams ranked in the top 20 in the first five weeks, the Wolfpack finish out the regular season at Coon Rapids (1-3) Friday, host Roseville (1-3) on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and then finish the regular season at Eastview (1-3) on Oct. 23.

Coon Rapids went to 2-3 on the season with a 45-38 win over Eastview Friday. Last season’s Coon Rapids-Park matchup was a defensive struggle, won by Coon Rapids 9-7 at Cottage Grove.

Friday’s scores
Wayzata 43, Park 6
Coon Rapids 45, Eastview 38
Roseville 33, Hopkins 28

Metro Maroon standings
Conf Overall
Roseville 2-0 2-3
Coon Rapids 1-0 2-3
Park 1-0 1-4
Eastview 0-2 1-4
Hopkins 0-2 0-5

Next week’s games
Hopkins (0-2, 0-5) at Eastview (0-2, 1-4)
Park (1-0, 1-4) at Coon Rapids (1-0, 2-3)
Centennial (4-1) at Roseville (2-0, 2-3)