Looking at the stats, it was hard to tell which played better Friday, Park’s offense, or defense. Add in solid special team play and it was an all-around winning performance by the Wolfpack.

Park rolled to a season high 512 total yards and scored seven touchdowns in the 50-13 homecoming win over visiting Hopkins much to the delight of the enthusiastic large crowd.

On the other side of the ball, Park’s defense held Hopkins to 162 total yards and forced six turnovers, including three interceptions and six assisted tackles by junior defensive back Brett Salmonson.

“We were very fortunate to have the game that we did this week,” said Park head coach Rick Fryklund. “Our defense had an opportunity to work on cleaning up some items that we were not as proficient at against Eastview, and it was displayed in the first half. Our offense was able to find some running lanes inside because of the capability of our wide receivers on the outside.”

Park romped to a 16-0 lead after one quarter and led 36-0 at the half. Hopkins scored twice in the third quarter but never was able to gain much ground on the Wolfpack. Each time Hopkins scored, Park had an offensive answer and led 43-7 and 50-13. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.

“In the second half, momentary mistakes were exploited by some of the great athletes that play for Hopkins and led to two quick scores coming out after halftime,” said Fryklund.

Either way, it was a big win for the Wolfpack, who squared its season record at 2-2 and 2-1 in the division. The Wolfpack takes on host Burnsville in a rare Saturday afternoon contest next, kicking off at noon. Burnsville is also 2-2, with wins over Hopkins (43-0) and Anoka (28-24) and losses at Farmington (9-28) and at Woodbury (7-20). Park won a wild one over Burnsville last season, 48-35.

Senior quarterback Sam Berrey passed 9 yards to senior wide receiver OT Omot and then scored himself on a 9-yard run to get Park off to a 14-0 start. Senior linebacker Owen Rose added a safety to wrap up a 16-0 first quarter.

Berrey then hit Omot with a 52-yard pass to make it a 23-0 game. Senior running back DJ Brown Jr. scored on a 12-yard run and Berrey connected pnm a 28-yard pass to junior wide receiver Skyler Morgan for a 26-0 lead at the break.

Park rolled to 25 first downs while holding Hopkins to seven. Park ‘s defense held Hopkins to a minus 14 yards rushing. Hopkins’s too rushing gained just nine yards on two attempts, while the Wolfpack sacked quarterback O Nealy five times for -38 yards.

Park had plenty of offensive stars Friday night. Berrey completed 15 of 24 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. Star receiver Omot has 5 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Brown Jr. ran 24 times for 197 yards and scored twice.

“Offensive performances were highlighted by our offensive line,” Fryklund noted. “Their play allowed DJ Brown to amass 197 yards on 24 carries, and OT Omot to have five catches for 117 yards, and David Ola-Kazeem with five catches for 77 yards.”

Park’s offense was about as evenly mixed as possible in the game, rushing 38 times for 246 yards and completing 16 passes out of 26 attempts for 266 yards.

On defense, senior linebacker Owen Rose did a little bit of everything for the Wolfpack. He had one solo tackle, two assists, one sack, one tackle for loss and scored a safety. Senior linebacker Alex Carr has two solo stops, four assists, a sack, and a tackle for loss.

Park senior wide receiver OT Omot hauls in a pass against Hopkins. Omot caught five passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Photo by John Molene

Park running back Derrik Brown Jr. rambles for some of the 197 yards he gained against Hopkins. Brown scored two touchdowns with a long run of 21 yards. Photo by John Molene