Mounds View came into Pony Stadium undefeated and with recent history on its side.  The Mustangs, winners in 9 of the last 10 against the Ponies since 2006, had knocked Stillwater out of the playoffs four straight seasons.  The Ponies needed to win to keep their hopes of a third Suburban East Conference championship in four years in sight.  The Ponies entered the game without two-time all-state player Nate Ricci and both starters at offensive guard.  Add on a 14-0 lead for Mounds View near the end of the first quarter and a comeback seemed unlikely.  By the second quarter, the Big Red defense settled in while forcing four turnovers and getting one stop on downs.  Senior captain linebacker Sam Hodnefield led the way with two first-half interceptions and a forced fumble.  However, the Red and Black climbed back into the game behind workhorse running back Nick Anderson, who rushed 37 times for 208 yards and one touchdown behind offensive linemen Pete Palecek, Ryan Peltier, captain Austin Conery, Anders Sandstrom, and Nick Brevitz.  The game was managed by junior quarterback Trevor Tillett, who ran for a 1-yard score in his first start in place of Ricci.  Knotted at 14, the defense put the Ponies in position to win the game when senior linebacker Matt Ogren recovered Hodnefield’s forced fumble at the Mounds View 22 with just 1:44 remaining.  Senior kicker Danny Laudet calmly drilled a 36-yard field goal – the first of his career – with 54 seconds remaining.  The time proved enough for the Mustangs to threaten a comeback of their own; however, senior free safety Connor O’Neill blocked a 43-yard field goal attempt as time expired.  The Ponies went on to a 7-1 regular season record, sharing the SEC title with Mounds View.