The 2025 high school football regular season is winding down. Chaska (4-2) traveled to Waconia (4-2) on Oct. 10 for the final Friday night regular-season game for both teams.
Waconia took the opening kickoff, but on their third play, Smith Meiller intercepted a pass at the Waconia 25-yard line. Justin Greathouse — back in the lineup after missing a few weeks due to injury — ran the ball in from the 9-yard line at 10:38 in the first quarter to give Chaska an early 7-0 lead.
Using an effective ground game, the Hawks made excellent use of the clock throughout the night. In the second quarter, they controlled the ball for more than eight minutes.
Jake Lalaman extended Chaska’s lead with a 28-yard field goal with 3:11 left in the half. He was called on again with just two seconds remaining in the quarter to attempt a 49-yard field goal. With a good hold and solid kick, the ball fell just a few feet short.
“The ball’s a bit harder when it’s cold, so I knew I had to put some power into that shot,” Lalaman said after the game. “I didn’t think too much about the distance, just wanted to hit it square. Smith gave me a great hold. I’ll get it next time.”
The third quarter was again all about ball control. Chaska received the kickoff and moved downfield for another Lalaman field goal, this one from 37 yards out at 7:18, to take a 13-0 lead. Waconia didn’t get the ball until 7:11 remained in the quarter. They managed a 26-yard field goal to make it 13-3.
Chaska maintained possession for most of the third and into the fourth quarter through effective and efficient ball control.
Sam Summer capped another long drive with a one-yard touchdown run at 5:21 in the fourth to extend the lead to 20-3. Smith Meiller sealed the win with his second interception of the night, picking off a Waconia pass at the Chaska 17-yard line with 3:41 remaining. The Hawks ran out the clock to secure the victory — and with it, possession of the Carver County Mug for 2025.
Chaska totaled 294 rushing yards, led by Summer (177 yards on 18 carries), Andrew Olsen (110 yards on 22 carries), and Greathouse (58 yards on 8 carries). Leonard Sanders led the defense with four solo tackles, while Meiller and Michael Gillette each recorded six team tackles.
“We owned the line of scrimmage,” said Hawks coach Trent Wurtz after the game. “Our O-line stepped up — it was the biggest part of our game tonight.”
Co-captain and quarterback Sam Summer said about the linemen: “they dominated, made it easy to control the ball.”
Offensive lineman Adam Kenison added: “All week in practice, we told each other we’re going to be lumberjacks and cut down their D-line. It helped us get fired up and stay focused.”
Defensive standout Smith Meiller, who had two interceptions, shared, “It was great to get both picks — the first one helped set up our early TD, and the last one helped seal the win. It was so great to be able to help the team like that.”
Head coach Bryan Dahl added, “We had great physicality, and players we’ve been asking to step up due to injuries are really fitting into their roles and making an impact.”
In other Northstar South Gold conference play on Friday, Chanhassen (6-1) beat Mankato West (2-5), 35-21, while Mankato East (5-2) defeated Apple Valley, 37-20.
Next week’s games will be played on Wednesday due to the annual Minnesota Educators Association (MEA) conference on Thursday and Friday.
Chaska (5-2) will travel to New Prague (2-5) to close out the regular season.
Coaches will vote on section seeding Thursday.
