2 weeks Ago
Chaska has met Mankato West in the section tournament every season since 2018, with its last victory coming in 2019 on the path to its first state title. In Friday’s regular-season matchup between the Class 5A Section 2 teams, Chaska might be glad this was a dress rehearsal for a potential postseason rematch. The Mankato West Scarlets, ranked No.
9 in 5A, beat host Chaska 17-14. The 2021 state champion Scarlets (3-1) forced six turnovers: two fumbles and four interceptions. A first-half fumble recovered by senior linebacker Franklin McAninch, an interception and a broken tackle all in Mankato West’s favor — and in Hawks territory — teed up all 17 of the Scarlets’ first-half points.
Two fourth-quarter interceptions and a fumble stifled a potential Chaska comeback. A rushing touchdown and two-point conversion by Chaska senior wide receiver Jacob Welter cut Mankato West’s lead to three with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. A big tackle by Hawks defensive lineman Prentiss Derrick Jr.
gave the Hawks (2-2) the ball back. Scarlets linebacker Stihl Koberoski snagged his team’s third interception. A sack by defensive lineman Joshua Wedel got Chaska the ball back on downs, but the Hawks fumbled the ball — and a chance at a comeback — on their own 3-yard line with 2:36 left.
And yet: Chaska got the ball back again, after a goal line stand on a pass broken up by Malaki Ledesma. Another interception set up Mankato West to take a knee and run the time out. Scarlets junior quarterback Charles Bobholz threw two first-half touchdown passes to senior wide receiver Eleazar Staley: first a 30-yarder, then a 30-yarder that Staley turned into a 50-yarder by breaking free of swarming coverage.
Chaska junior quarterback Matthew Welter had one passing touchdown, a 64-yarder to sophomore wide receiver Maxwell Epple. Next week, Mankato West returns home to host Chanhassen, with West hoping to avenge its loss in a rematch of last year’s Section 2 final. Chaska next hosts Northfield.
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