Chaska powers its way to victory over Jefferson
Brian Jerzak
After 24 seconds of game time, Chaska and Bloomington Jefferson had each scored a touchdown.
The teams kept trading scores until midway through the third quarter until the Hawks finally took control of the first round Section 2AAAAA playoff game, scoring the final 21 points to defeat the Jaguars 42-21.
To open the game, Jefferson tried a squib kick, and Chaska's Jake Theis cleanly fielded the ball. He made a move and got free down the sidelines for a 60-yard touchdown. As Jefferson lined up for the first play from scrimmage, the Jaguars hit a halfback option pass for a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game at seven.
Not to be outdone, Chaska tried a trick play of sorts on their next possession. It didn't work. The Hawks tried a fake punt at midfield, but the Jaguars' special teams were not fooled and took over with great field position.
The switch in field position would contribute to the Jaguars only lead of the game. Chaska was backed up inside their own twenty-yard line. Jefferson's Nick Martindale tipped a pass right into his teammate's hands. Caden Osmonson caught the tipped pass and scored the defensive touchdown.
Chaska would get the option game going late in the first quarter, but they would be faced with a fourth and short at mid-field. Quarterback Justin Boch ran to the right behind Mike Donovan and Ethan Jackman who opened a huge hole allowing the Hawks to keep the drive alive. They would find more success behind the right guard and tackle to tie the game. Junior running back Stevo Klotz used the big line duo to get the first five yards. He then cut all the way across the field for a touchdown to tie the game at 14.
Late in the first half Chaska re-took the lead. Boch threw a strike to Nic Snuggenrud on a slant. The catch set up a touchdown pass to Nolan Hansen with less than thirty seconds to play in the first half.
Jefferson would answer right back to start the second half, but from then on it was all Chaska.
"In the second half our offensive line manhandled their defensive line," Donovan said.
Everything started with a fumble recovery by Marcus Holasek near mid-field. Running back Matt Kuntz and Hanson moved the ball downfield and set up Klotz for his second touchdown of the game.
"We really got after them in the second half," Jackman said. "Nothing in the game plan really changed. We just executed better."
Jefferson tried to throw a deep sideline route. Hansen was step for step with the receiver and was in better position to make a play on the ball. Hansen made that play and came up with the interception. Kuntz picked up big yardage right up the middle to set up Klotz for, yet another touchdown run behind Jackman and Donovan.
"I am proud of the way our kids fought and ran the ball," Chaska head coach Bryan Dahl said, "especially in the second half."
Another interception – this time by Nick Stanger – set up another rushing touchdown for the Hawks. This time it was Boch with a short touchdown run to ice the game.
Chaska advances to play Waconia in the second round of the playoffs on Saturday. The Wildcats defeated the Hawks 16-0 in the regular season.
