The Free Press, Mankato, MN

High School Sports

Related Photos

  • Pat Christman

    West 1

  • Pat Christman

    West 2

Related Links

October 31, 2009

West overcomes Waconia charge to win 40-18

By Chad Courrier

MANKATO — Even when things were getting a little crazy, and Waconia was closing some ground against Mankato West, linebacker Drew Weber wasn’t too concerned.

“We had some plays here and there that we needed to tighten up,” the junior said. “We were playing really strong, and everybody was running to the football. We just needed to do our jobs.”

The West defense allowed only 118 yards, 23 of which came on the final drive against the reserves, and defeated Waconia 40-18 in a Section 2AAAA semifinal game Saturday at Wolverton Field. The game looked like it would be a blowout until Waconia made it close with a couple of odd plays.

“Sometimes, we get down when we don’t score,” West coach Mark Esch said. “I like that expectation, that we’re going to score every time, but you have to remember that it doesn’t always go like that.”

West scored on its first play, a 48-yard pass from Philip Nelson to Nick Kaus, and Ken Ouren’s PAT made it 7-0. The next possession, which took 10 plays, finished with Kyle Larson’s 4-yard run. The Scarlets made it 21-0 on a 10-yard pass from Nelson to Des Spann, one play after Brandon Klemme recovered a muffed punt.

West was going in again midway through the second quarter, but on a third-and 7 from the Waconia 9, Nelson tried to pass to Spann. Waconia’s Joseph Sandholm broke up the play, and the ball deflected to teammate Bronson Scheff just inside the end zone. Scheff returned the interception for a touchdown that cut the lead to 21-8.

West’s next possession started at their own 1, and on the first play, Larson was tackled in the end zone, making the score 21-10 at halftime.

“We were disappointed but not really concerned,” Esch said. “We just needed to come back and keep playing tough defense. (Nelson) got a little down, but they were doing a lot of different things on defense. I think every (defensive formation) we’ve faced this season, they played today so that makes the quarterback think.”

West opened the second half with Ouren’s 21-yard field goal, and West got a safety late in the third quarter when Larson pushed his blocker into the Waconia punter in the end zone.

Nelson’s 10-yard keeper made it 33-10, and Tyler Resner raced 22 yards for the final touchdown that made it 40-10. Waconia scored in the final seconds to make it 40-18.

Nelson was 13 of 26 for 192 yards, though he was sacked six times. Larson and Resner combined for 129 yards rushing.

Linebacker Adam Athey made 10 tackles and two sacks, and Weber had five tackles. Klemme had a fumble recovery and interception.

West (9-0) hosts Hutchinson (9-1) in the section championship game Friday at a location to be determined. West defeated Hutchinson 28-13 to win the section title last season.

“”Everyone looks forward to the playoffs,” Weber said. “It’s win or go home. We’re confident. If we do our jobs, we’ll be fine.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints
High School Sports