Ever since the transition to sectional play in MSHSL football, the Chaska Hawks have regularly faced Mankato West, whether in playoffs or the regular season. The matchup is always one of quality play and high anticipation between two respected programs. This year, it handed Chaska its first loss of the season, 28-21.
Heading into the Sept. 26 game, Chaska was undefeated at 4-0 and ranked no. 2 in Class 5A. West entered at 1-3 and unranked, but it was their homecoming and the Scarlets were hungry for a much-needed win halfway through the season. The Hawks traveled to Mankato without their starting quarterback, Matthew Welter, who was sidelined with an MCL injury. Senior captain Sam Summer stepped in to take the snaps. Already missing a key running back, the Hawks knew they would need their “A” game against a formidable foe on the road.
The first quarter moved quickly as Chaska drove over 50 yards on their opening possession before being forced to punt. West answered with a long drive of their own, but the Hawks stopped them on a fourth-and-four early in the second quarter. The Scarlets broke through first with a 12-yard touchdown run at the 10:03 mark. Chaska answered at 6:42 with a 3-yard run by Jacob Bellmont to tie the game, but West regained the lead before halftime on a 7-yard run with just over a minute remaining, making it 14-7 at the break.
Chaska tied it again late in the third quarter as Bellmont scored from five yards out.
Early in the fourth, Summer powered in from the five to give the Hawks a 21-14 advantage, but West struck back with a 15-yard run at 7:36 and sealed the win on a 15-yard touchdown pass with just 1:03 left.
For the Hawks, Summer finished 3 of 9, passing for 73 yards and added 90 rushing yards. Bellmont led the ground game with 107 yards on 18 carries. Trey Castilla III had two receptions for 65 yards. On defense, Cullen Dauwalter recorded five solo tackles and assisted on 10 more, while Nick Robinson contributed to seven team tackles.
“Of course the outcome wasn’t what we had hoped for. We played hard and didn’t give them anything. It’s always a tough place to play,” Summer said after the game.
“Maybe we got ahead of ourselves thinking we were 4-0 and they were 1-3. We’re much better than how we played, and it’s on us. We’ll get the team focused this week—we want the jug back,” fellow captain Colton Wacker.
Head Coach Dahl echoed the captains’ sentiments: “It was a disappointing night for us. They always play hard, and with it being their homecoming, they wanted that win. Our execution was off and we missed a few opportunities. But I’m super proud of the effort so many guys gave, stepping up and taking on new roles.”
Elsewhere Friday night, Chanhassen (4-1) defeated Mankato East (3-2) by a score of 33-2, while Waconia (4-1) topped Burnsville 34-6. The Hawks will now face district rival Chanhassen next Friday in Chaska with the District 112 Jug on the line.
