For a half, it looked like Lake Mills was on its way to an upset of the much-larger Menomonie Mustangs.
With 41 seconds to play in the first half, returning first-team all-conference quarterback Adam Moen found Hunter Beuchel on a beautiful corner fade route to give the L-Cats their first lead of the game, which held until early in the third quarter. Lake Mills drove inside the five yard line, but an interception in the end zone stopped the momentum and allowed Menomonie to take control.
From there, the Mustangs pounded the rock, with Thomas Poplawski and DeVauntaye Parker combining to rush for 170 yards in the game along with three scores to give Menomonie the season-opening victory on Thursday night.
Moen threw for 142 yards on 18-of-35 passing, but along with the touchdown, also tossed three interceptions.
The game was broadcast in partnership with WMEQ-Menomonie and iHeartRadio-Eau Claire.