Game Report: Waconia vs. Mankato West (D/ST)

When I was beginning to determine which games I should go to this year, time and time again I was told that I needed to see Waconia vs. Mankato West in Week 3. So I headed to Waconia to watch a battle of two top dogs slug it out. West entered 2-0, and they were widely regarded as the best team in all of 5A. Waconia was 1-1 and considered a perennial state contender. West dominated the entire game however, they had an elite offense and a stifling defense. They won 35-6 and look to play a 1-2 Chaska team next week. Waconia is now 1-2 and will play an undefeated Chanhassen team next Friday.   LB: Levi Mueller 6' 190 lbs Waconia 2024   If I had to give an award for the best defensive player for each team, I think Mueller would be my pick for Waconia. He had a dropped interception early in the game but quickly rallied with several big tackles and a sack early on in the second half. He showed off some great tackling form and was able to make big plays, both on the edge and up the middle.   LB: Jack Delbec 6'2" 215 lbs Waconia 2024   Delbac is a well-built MLB who made big hits all night. He was able to consistently create pressure when blitzing and tallied a big-time TFL late in the first half. He effectively plugged up the inside run all night and did a nice job of filling and scraping over the top until he forced the runner to bounce outside again and again. With his size and natural instincts, it's a wonder how he doesn't have more attention.   DE: Bo Schmieg 6'3" 210 lbs Waconia 2024   Schmieg was easily the most effective pass-rusher that Waconia had last night. He was matched up against a stud Mankato West OL in [player_tooltip player_id='368595' first='Gage' last='Schmidt'] all night, and he still found a way to pressure the QB and get in the backfield. He bagged one Sack and two TFLs as well as a couple of other tackles. He boasts a powerful frame and a quick first step. Definitely should get some more looks from colleges.   LB: Calvin O'Conner 6'3" 190 lbs Mankato West 2024   O'Conner was a menace last night. He racked up a bunch of tackles across the field and used his lanky frame to create problems for the Wildcats. He closed down a lot of the outside run game and did a nice job of forcing the ball carriers back inside throughout the game. While he didn't see a ton of snaps where he was able to get into pass coverage, when he did he stayed disciplined in his zone.   S: Ben O'Neil 5'11" 160 lbs Mankato West 2026   O'Neil arrived on the scene and didn't look back. The sophomore had himself an incredible game in Week 3, he gathered a fumble recovery early on in the game in an incredible heads-up play. Later in the second quarter, he had a pretty key PBU, and he also tallied several tackles throughout the night. I was impressed to learn that such a young kid had risen through the ranks of a good team like Mankato West, I expect big things to come from the sophomore.   LB: Frankie McAninch 6' 195 lbs Mankato West 2025   I think it's time that people gave Frankie his flowers. Based on his performance last night, I'm comfortable listing him as one of the top linebackers in the state. He was everywhere. It seemed like he was involved in almost every tackle of big defensive play. He hits hard and has stellar natural instincts. He's got great speed and a very high ceiling.   DL: [player_tooltip player_id='743241' first='Austin' last='Nommensen'] 6'2" 225 lbs Mankato West 2025   One name I didn't expect to be so prevalent against Waconia was Nommensen. He proved extremely difficult to move and consistently got pressure on the QB when Waconia passed. He can fight through double teams and swallow up ball carriers. He dominated his gap against Waconia's zone run scheme and forced the Wildcats to run opposite of him after a while. Still a junior, Nommensen is someone I'd keep an eye out for.   K: Noah Femrite 6'3" 200 lbs Mankato West 2024   It may not be the sexiest thing, but I gotta give respect where respect is due. Femrite looked dang good last night. He went 5/5 on PATs and made all of them with plenty of room to spare. They were straight down the pipe, perfectly in between the uprights. I wish I got to see him kick an FG, but I liked what I saw in those reps from Femrite.

When I was beginning to determine which games I should go to this year, time and time again I was told that I needed to see Waconia vs. Mankato West in Week 3. So I headed to Waconia to watch a battle of two top dogs slug it out. West entered 2-0, and they were widely regarded as the best team in all of 5A. Waconia was 1-1 and considered a perennial state contender. West dominated the entire game however, they had an elite offense and a stifling defense. They won 35-6 and look to play a 1-2 Chaska team next week. Waconia is now 1-2 and will play an undefeated Chanhassen team next Friday.