Lakeville South served top-ranked Maple Grove with an eviction notice on Friday, Nov. 7, that removed the Crimson from their reign as the Class AAAAAA football champion.

The Cougars (9-2) did what no other team has done in the past 23 games by not only posting a victory, but one in convincing fashion with a 49-31 trouncing in the big-school quarterfinals at Eastview High School. 

Lakeville South used a potent ground game that produced 292 rushing yards and six touchdown runs by junior running back Griffen Dean that snapped Maple Grove’s winning streak at 23 games over two seasons. The Crimson were the only undefeated team in the remaining eight teams in Class AAAAAA. Senior running back Nic Swanson added a 75-yard TD run.

The Cougars created a 21-13 halftime lead behind three of Dean’s touchdown dashes. Maple Grove had offensive production via a touchdown pass from senior quarterback Kaden Harney to senior wide receiver Josh Thompson and a short TD run by senior running back James Engle, Jr. 

The Cougars advance to the semifinals next week at U.S. Bank Stadium against Moorhead. The Spuds, playing in their first season in Class AAAAAA, defeated Centennial 35-21 on Thursday.