BRAINERD TOOK ON CHASKA IN A CLASS 5A STATE SEMIFINAL FOOTBALL GAME

Brainerd and Chaska went up against each other in the Class 5A state semifinal football game.

 

Chaska kicked off to Brainerd to start the game. Cole Smith ran the kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown. Logan McElfresh’s extra point attempt was good.

 

Chaska got the ball after the touchdown. Chaska got into the endzone as Justin Arnold passed to

 

Matthew Witthus for a 24-yard touchdown reception. Brandon Thies’ extra point attempt was good.

 

With 9:20 left in the first quarter the score was tied at 7.

 

Brainerd looked to move the ball down the field and get into the endzone. They did just that as Matt

 

Hill connected with Thomas Stoxen on a 29-yard reception.  

 

The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 5:39 left in the first quarter the score was Brainerd 14, Chaska 7.

 

Chaska got the ball back after the touchdown. Chaska turned the ball over on downs.

 

Brainerd kept the ball on the ground. They were not able to get a first down and they had to punt on fourth-and-three.

 

Chaska kept the ball on the ground as they looked to get by the Brainerd defense. Chaska punted on fourth-and-five.

 

Brainerd was stopped in their tracks and they had to punt the ball back to Chaska.

 

After one quarter play the score was Brainerd 14, Chaska 7.

 

Chaska punted the ball on fourth-and-two.

 

Brainerd looked to get into the end zone but they were not able to move the ball and they had to turn it over on downs.

 

Chaska got the ball back on their own 38 yard line. Chaska used both the air attack and the ground attack throughout the first half. Chaska turned the ball over on downs.

 

Brainerd had difficulty moving the ball on the next series. They punted the ball on fourth-and-ten.

 

Chaska got the ball on their own 29 yard line. The Brainerd defense slowed up the Chaska offense.

 

Chaska punted the ball on fourth down, but there was a penalty that gave Chaska the ball back and a first down. Justin Arnold found Witthus for 35-yard reception for a first down. Kolby Seiffert found the endzone on a 10-yard run.

 

Theis’ extra kick point attempt was no good.

 

With 2:34 left in the second quarter the score was Brainerd 14, Chaska 13.

 

Brainerd was not able to move so they punted on fourth down.

 

At halftime the score was Brainerd 14, Chaska 13.

 

Brainerd kicked off to start the third quarter. There was no return on the play. Chaska got the ball on their own 21 yard line.  They were not able to get a first down and they had to punt the ball on fourth-and-five. There was no return.

 

Brainerd was not able to get a first down and on fourth-and-nine they punted the ball.

 

Chaska got the ball on their own 27 yard line. Seiffert ran for four yards to the Chaska 42 yard line. Justin Arnold found Conner Buesgens for a 58-yard touchdown connection.

 

Seifert’s two-point ruining attempt failed.

 

With 8:20 left in the third quarter the score was Chaska 19, Brainerd 14.

 

Brainerd got the ball back after the touchdown. Connor Gessell ran 41 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good.

 

With 7:10 left in the third quarter the score was Brainerd 20, Chaska 19.

 

Chaska got the ball back after the touchdown. Chaska continued with short runs as they looked to keep the ball moving and get into the endzone. Justin Arnold came up with some nice runs that moved the ball and the chains down the field. The Brainerd defense held their down and was able to turn Chaska over on downs.

 

After three quarters of play the score was Brainerd 20, Chaska 19.

 

Brainerd looked to get the ball into the hands of Arnold Martin.

 

The ball went back and forth between these two teams throughout the fourth quarter.

 

Chaska looked to get into the endzone with just under 5:40 left in regulation. Chaska attempted a 31-yard field goal which was short.

 

Brainerd took over. They were not able to get a first down and they punted the ball on fourth-and-five. Chaska took over on their own 34 yard line.

 

Brainerd held on and was able to come away with the 20-19 victory over Chaska.

 

After the game I was able to talk to Brainerd players Cole Smith and Connor Gessell about the game.

 

I was also able to talk to the Brainerd head coach Ron Stolski.