The Chaska Hawks (4-4) met Waconia (7-1) on October 31 for a Section 2 Class 5A semifinal football playoff game in Waconia. The Hawks entered the game as the number three seed, while the Wildcats were seeded number two. The two teams previously met on Oct. 14 in Chaska, where Waconia pulled out a 27-24 victory.
Weather at game time consisted of a steady drizzle and Chaska opted to receive the ball after winning the coin toss. Starting from their own 24-yard line, Chaska drove 75 yards, primarily using a running game, in nine plays. Junior Dylan Kasper connected with senior Sully Schrandt on a 39-yard touchdown pass to put Chaska ahead 7-0 with 8:08 remaining in the first quarter. Waconia countered with an 18-yard touchdown pass at the 2:35 mark. The Wildcats’ extra-point attempt was wide, leaving Chaska with a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Chaska added to its lead at 11:50 in the second quarter with a 37-yard field goal by sophomore Jacob Laleman. The field goal was set up after Waconia fumbled a punt return, giving Chaska possession at the Waconia 41-yard line. The Hawks extended their lead with 3:40 remaining in the half when Kasper ran the ball in from the nine-yard line, making the score 17-6. Waconia responded with a touchdown with 25 seconds remaining in the half, bringing the halftime score to 17-14.
By halftime, the rain stopped and though the field remained damp, conditions began to open up the passing game for both teams. The third quarter became a showcase of two evenly matched defenses. Both teams made critical fourth-down stops, and neither was able to score.
As the fourth quarter began, senior Max Epple gave the Hawks a jolt of excitement when he stopped a Waconia drive with an interception at the Chaska 30-yard line. With the field conditions drying, Waconia increased its reliance on the passing game. On the ensuing drive, Laleman connected on a 36-yard field goal with 5:11 remaining, putting Chaska ahead 20-14.
Waconia responded with a passing attack, effectively managing the clock while moving the ball inside the red zone with less than a minute remaining. With 16 seconds left in the game, the Wildcats scored on a two-yard plunge. The extra point was good, giving Waconia a heartbreaking 21-20 victory.
Statistically, Kasper completed three of eight passes for 39 yards and one touchdown. Schrandt led the receivers with 39 yards and one touchdown. Junior Andrew Olsen led the Hawks’ rushing attack with 139 yards on 26 carries. Laleman contributed two field goals and two extra points to round out Chaska’s scoring.
“Tough outcome to take. Proud of the performance, so many great efforts on both sides of the game for us today,” said Coach Dahl after the game.
Each summer, during their first team meeting of the year, the Chaska coaching staff stresses to players that while winning is the goal, the ultimate outcome of a season is to build better people. Through the principles of discipline, attitude, toughness and service, the program emphasizes a commitment to continuous improvement. While the Hawks’ season may have come to an abrupt conclusion, every member of the 2026 team can look back and recognize the accomplishments they achieved together.
In other sectional games on Saturday, Mankato West defeated Chanhassen 28-6. Waconia will travel to Mankato next Friday for the sectional final, with the winner advancing to the state playoffs. This year’s Prep Bowl will be held November 27 and 28 at U.S. Bank Stadium. In the last seven years, a Section 2A team has been to the Prep Bowl finals five times, winning three (Chaska – 2019, Mankato West – 2021, Chanhassen – 2023).
