Friday night was exactly what the Lakeville South football players hoped for. Coach Ben Burk, too, but for a different reason.

After a sluggish start to the season, which began with a close loss at Wayzata, the Cougars, to a man, were hoping to get another shot at the Trojans in the Class 6A playoffs.

They got their wish, and they didn’t waste it, using big plays and long runs to cruise past Wayzata, 41-21, at Lakeville South High School.

“The players were talking a lot about wanting another shot at Wayzata,” Burk said. “We just kept telling them they might get their chance. We just needed to keep the focus on one game at a time and just keep improving.”

The way Lakeville South’s season began — losing three of their first four games — Burk and his staff were pointed in their directives. Keep working hard, they said. Keep getting better.

The Cougars listened, finishing the regular season with four straight victories.

They also drew Wayzata in the first round, the matchup they desired.

Wayzata drew first blood Friday, taking a 7-0 lead before the game was two minutes old on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Berkland to Tony Ley.