Looking to rebound after a tough game against Hastings the previous week, the Chaska Hawks football team (2-1) were on the road for the third time in four weeks as they took on Mankato East (1-2) on Sept. 25. The Chaska side of the field was well represented by fans who made the road trip to show their support for the team, almost outnumbering the home-side crowd.
Mankato won the toss, and the Hawks got the ball to start the game. After a four-and-out, East came out passing and made progress down the field until senior DB Kyle Dowine picked off a pass and returned it to the Mankato 30-yard line. Chaska was unable to gain any additional yardage and with a strong wind, a field goal was out of range. After a few more exchanges of possession, the first quarter ended 0-0.
Mankato started the second quarter at midfield and went up 7-0 on a five-yard run with 8:57 left in the quarter. This score started a seesaw exchange of touchdowns between the two teams. On the ensuing kickoff, Chaska got the ball back and worked its way down to the Mankato 27-yard line. Junior Justin Greathouse tied the game at 7-7 with 7:26 remaining, running virtually untouched from scrimmage through the Mankato defense.
Downie grabbed another interception off a tipped pass with 2:36 left in the half, providing a spark of hope for the Hawks. However the turnover did not yield any points and the score remained 7-7 at halftime. The first half saw both teams with noteworthy ball movement yielding progress downfield, yet at times each team struggled with consistency in notching key gains or first downs.
The Hawks kicked off to start the second half, and East worked the ball downfield before scoring on a 28-yard run at 7:42 to make the score 14-7. Less than a minute later, at 6:50, junior Luke Raser ran the ball in from the Mankato 38-yard line for a 61-yard touchdown, tying the score at 14-14. Mankato closed out the third-quarter scoring with a 38-yard touchdown to make the score 21-14.
Chaska started the fourth quarter on Mankato’s one-yard line after working the ball downfield following East’s kickoff after the touchdown. At 11:57 in the fourth quarter, junior Dylan Kasper scored on a keeper from the one-yard line to make the score 21-20. The extra point was tipped wide.
Mankato took the lead for good to make it 27-20 with 4:51 left in the game and ultimately won the back-and-forth battle. The second half saw the teams trade off big gains and remain befuddled at times. Mankato came away with 356 yards of total offense on the night compared to Chaska’s 286.
Chaska outgained Mankato on the ground, 234 yards to 219. Greathouse led the Hawks with 104 yards on 21 attempts. Raser and Kasper added 66 and 64 yards, respectively, and all three scored a touchdown. The Hawks’ passing game produced 52 yards on three receptions, with Kasper leading the receivers with 36 yards on one reception.
Senior Lenny Sanders and Downie had six tackles to lead the Hawks. Downie contributed on 11 team tackles and had the two interceptions to cap off a significant defensive effort on the night.
Head Coach Bryan Dahl looked for the positives, saying, “The chances to win are there. We need to do our best to take advantage of those opportunities. The team played hard, and we made a few mistakes. It’s in our control, and that will be our focus for the next game.”
“The game did not turn out the way we would have liked. We’ll get back to work, watch the film, and listen to the coaches. We still have half the season to go. Discipline is the key, and we’ll respond. Being a captain is great. I get to work with the other captains, get the team fired up, and inspire everyone to do their best,” said senior co-captain Max Epple.
Standout receiver junior Luke Raser shared, “No matter what happens on any previous play, I always tell myself and those in the huddle, ‘Reset.’ Take each play one at a time. Our attitude is what guides us, and we’re working hard. We just need to fix a few things and work together.”
Raser has had a number of significant plays this year, but says getting the first touchdown against Hastings to start the rally stands out to him. “Nothing I do is without the help of my teammates. The line and the blocks are what make it happen.”
Chanhassen defeated St. Thomas Academy 31-24, while Mankato West beat Waconia 21-6. The Northstar Gold South conference standings at midseason are as follows:
Points Points
W L For Against
Mankato West 4 0 132 56
Waconia 3 1 92 56
Chaska 2 2 61 61
Chanhassen 2 2 80 70
Mankato East 2 2 91 113
It will be homecoming for the Hawk’s next game as they will take on Mankato West on Oct. 2.
