Chaska and Chanhassen met on Oct.11, their 16th such meeting in the rivalry, to battle over Eastern Carver County football bragging rights. Both teams were at 3-3 for the year and hoping to position themselves for the playoffs in the tight NorthStarSouth-Gold standings.
Chaska opened the game with a score after holding Chanhassen to a three-and-out and claimed good field position off the ensuing punt. Working the ball downfield, Jacob Welter scored on a one-yard run.
In the second quarter, Chanhassen’s Nathan Ramler connected with James Kopfmann for a 52-yard pass and touchdown to tie things up at 7-7.
Quinn Meyer got Chaska back on the board with a 47-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. Ramler connected with Carter Carstens for a 6-yard pass close the end of the second quarter and put Chanhassen up 14-10 going into the half.
In the third quarter, the only score of a back-and-forth defensiveeffort by both teams came at 4:46, when Coleman Zielinski ran 64 yards for a touchdown, putting Chanhassen up 21-10.
Chaska moved the ball well in the fourth quarter, seeking to make things close. With 2:51 left in the game, Chanhassen picked off a pass deep in their zone and was able to hold on for the 21-10 win and claim the Eastern Carver County Jug award for the third year in a row and for the fourth time in five years.
The Jug series began in 2009. With this year’s win, Chanhassen has won seven times, and Chaska has been successful nine times. Next Wednesday, Chanhassen will host St. Louis Park and Chaska travels to St. Thomas Academy to finish off the regular season for both teams.
