The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) football playoffs pit section teams against familiar opponents, often those they’ve already faced during the regular season.
Chaska (6-2; ranked #8 in Class 5A) hosted Mankato East (6-2; ranked #9 in Class 5A) on Oct. 25, having previously defeated the Cougars 28–0 on Sept. 19. But section playoffs bring a new level of intensity.
Both teams’ defenses set the tone early, forcing stops and limiting movement through much of the first quarter. The stalemate was broken with 4:41 left, when East scored on a 4-yard run but missed the extra point.
Chaska welcomed back quarterback Matthew Welter, returning after a few weeks due to injury. He quickly made his presence known with a 1-yard touchdown run at 11:57 in the second quarter.
On East’s next possession, the Hawks intercepted a pass. Then, facing third-and-17, Welter connected with Trey Castilla III for a 30-yard touchdown.
East responded with a drive capped by a 4-yard TD run and a successful extra point, sending the teams to halftime tied 14–14.
Defensive play continued to dominate in the third quarter, with both sides trading stops. The only score came when Chaska recorded a safety after a high snap sailed over East’s punter’s head and out of the end zone, giving the Hawks a 16–14 lead with 6:50 left in the quarter.
The Hawks took control in the fourth. Welter added another touchdown on a 2-yard run with 11:14 remaining to make it 23–14.
East turned to the air to try to rally, but Chaska’s Sam Summer intercepted a pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown (extra point no good), extending the lead to 29–14.
Moments later, Leonard Sanders forced and recovered a fumble that set up another Welter touchdown, this one from the 7-yard line, pushing the lead to 36–14 with 8:48 left.
The Cougars scored once more (adding a two-point conversion) to close the gap to 36–21, but Summer snagged his second interception of the game on East’s next drive, allowing Chaska to control the ball and the clock the rest of the way.
Welter led the Hawks with 103 rushing yards on 15 carries, supported by Andrew Olsen with 42 yards. Castilla III led receivers with 30 yards.
On defense, Mason Davis, Leonard Sanders and Michael Gillette each tallied four solo tackles, while the trio combined for six team tackles. Brody Lage contributed 2.5 of Chaska’s five total sacks in a strong Hawks defensive showing.
After the game, Welter said, “It was great to be back. I think it took one play, and I felt like I was back in the groove.”
Defensive standout Sam Summer added, “I knew they’d be putting the ball up, and I just do what I do — played heads up and grabbed the ball.”
Coach Bryan Dahl commented, “East is a solid team. We played a great game. Our guys played great. I’m really proud of their effort.”
Across Carver County, Chanhassen (6-1; ranked #3 in Class 5A) defeated Mankato West 46–22 in their sectional matchup. The Hawks and Storm will now meet for the sectional championship (and a trip further into the playoffs) this at 7 p.m. Friday in Chanhassen.
