You don't work football. You play it.
Mounds View football coach Aaron Moberg's reminder at practice this week probably sounded foreign to a group of players who have done nothing but work since their 2018 season ended one game short of the state tournament.
"With playoffs, sometimes the stress and the tension can keep you from enjoying the moment," Moberg said.
"We wanted our kids to enjoy being out there together and playing the game."
The smiles kept coming throughout a 48-13 dismantling of Friday's visitors from Buffalo.
The victory clinched the Mustangs' first state tournament appearance in five years.
Mounds View (8-2), ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press poll, advances to play No. 2 Lakeville South next Friday in the Class 6A quarterfinals at Eden Prairie High School.
Senior quarterback Cole Stenstrom of the Mustangs threw three touchdown passes to senior Jack Roeber and ran for two scores.