Raiders edged by Mustangs, 13-6

Going into this season, Hastings coach Dana Strain had a couple big goals for his team. Atop that list? Being competitive in every single game. Strain’s aim was to have his team in position to win games in the second half.

On Friday night against Mounds View, Hastings accomplished just that.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, the game ended in a 13-6 loss, but the Raiders were right there with the Mustangs. Last year, Mounds View beat Hastings, 42-7.

Hastings fell behind 13-0 in the first half. The Mustangs scored with 35 seconds remaining in the first quarter, then added another score with 5:09 left to play in the half.

Hastings, though, countered with a seven-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a touchdown from quarterback Aaron Stoneberg to wide receiver Ellis Williams. A Mounds View defender got his hands on the pass, but Williams stayed with the play and was able to haul in the 15-yard score. The kick failed, and the two teams went in to halftime at 13-6.

Tyler Mellick led the Raiders on the ground with 13 carries for 41 yards. Stoneberg, Williams and Zach Anderson also had carries.

Stoneberg completed 12 of 22 attempts for 121 yards. Williams had five catches for 67 yards. Mike Rodriguez had two catches for 11 yards, Mike Huble had two catches for 21 yards, Jayson Bauer had one catch for nine yards and Mellick had two receptions for 13 yards.

Jesse Green and Ellis Williams had kickoff returns for Hastings.

On defense, Aaron Karnick had a fumble recovery for Hastings.

Hastings gained 40 yards on the ground on 26 carries.

Mounds View, meanwhile, had 51 carries for 234 yards.

Friday

Hastings travels to Woodbury for a 7 p.m. game Friday.

The Royals lost to Stillwater last Friday, 27-20.

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