Emilio Rosario-Matias started fast Friday night and never really slowed down.

The Stillwater junior running back had a 70-yard touchdown run on the Ponies’ first offensive play from the scrimmage — one of three first-half scoring scampers that helped his team build a lead it did not relinquish in a 33-14 Homecoming night win over Mounds View at Pony Stadium.

Rosario-Matias — who carried the ball 31 times for 180 yards — added touchdown runs of 19 and 11 yards to put Stillwater on top 23-14 at halftime.

The Ponies improved to 3-1, winning their third game in a row, but there were a few tense moments early.

On Mounds View’s first play following Rosario-Matias’ opening touchdown, Mustangs junior Godson Rufus-Okomhanru scampered 80 yards for a touchdown that tied the score 7-7.

Then, after forcing a Stillwater punt on the Ponies’ next possession, Mounds View (2-2) blocked the kick. Senior Mitchell Olson recovered the ball in the end zone to put the Mustangs in front 14-7.

The Ponies settled down after that, relying on Rosario-Matias to lead the way offensively. His 19-yard touchdown run with 1:39 to play in the first quarter cut the gap to 14-13, then senior Landon Huber connected on a 41-yard field goal early in the second and Stillwater was back on top.

Rosario-Matias scored again the next time the Ponies had the ball, powering his way into the end zone from 11 yards out to give his team a nine-point lead going into the locker rooms.

He had 174 yards rushing in the first half alone. And Stillwater didn’t let up in the second half.

On Mounds View’s first drive in the third quarter, senior quarterback Jonny Gale — who came on after an injury to senior starter Jacob Sampson in the first half — was picked off, setting up a 28-yard field goal by Huber.

Another turnover set up Stillwater’s final score. The Ponies recovered a fumble at the Mustangs’ 24-yard line midway through the fourth and junior Nick Kinsey connected with senior Joe Fredkove on a 13-yard touchdown pass.

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