November 15th 2024.
The Class 6A state semifinal on Thursday night was a thrilling competition between Minnetonka's junior quarterback Caleb Francois and Anoka's senior quarterback Peyton Podany. It was a close race for a while, with both players showcasing their unique talents. However, in the end, it was Francois who emerged as the star of the game, leading his team straight to the championship game with an impressive performance.
Francois was on fire, rushing for 283 yards and scoring five touchdowns, while also throwing for another one. His outstanding performance helped Minnetonka defeat the Tornadoes 48-27 at U.S. Bank Stadium. After the game, Francois credited his team's strong offensive line for their success and expressed confidence in their run game.
And he had every reason to be confident, as the Skippers rushed for a whopping 397 yards as a team. Senior Chase Conrad also had an impressive game, with 102 rushing yards and a touchdown. Minnetonka's coach Mark Esch praised his team's dominant performance, stating that they felt confident in their running game and saw no reason to stop when it was working so well.
Both teams played to their strengths in the first half, with Podany throwing for 162 yards and two touchdowns, including a 17-yard pass to senior Afy Ibekwe and a 29-yard connection to senior Charlie Hendrickson. Anoka's defense also contributed to their early lead, with Ibekwe scoring a 5-yard run after the Tornadoes forced the Skippers to turn the ball over on downs.
Despite the early setback, Minnetonka's players remained focused and determined. Senior offensive lineman Aidan Becker acknowledged the frustration of not scoring on their first possession but emphasized the importance of staying focused and moving on to the next play.
For Minnetonka, that usually meant involving Francois, who had an outstanding first half, rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns, while also throwing for another one. This led to a tied score of 21-21 at halftime, setting the stage for an intense second half.
The Skippers continued their strong performance in the second half, with Conrad scoring a 15-yard touchdown run on their opening drive, giving them a 28-21 lead. Francois then scored another two touchdowns, one on a 10-yard run and the other on a 4-yard run after a 24-yard interception return by senior Jack Yerhot.
Anoka fought hard till the end, with Podany throwing a 19-yard pass to Ibekwe for a touchdown with just over three minutes remaining in the game. However, it was not enough to catch up to Minnetonka's dominant lead. Podany finished the game with 222 yards passing and three touchdowns, but it was not enough to defeat the Skippers.
Despite the loss, Anoka's coach was proud of his team's performance and their fighting spirit. He also acknowledged the pressure that Minnetonka's defense put on Podany in the second half, leading to a crucial interception.
But it was Minnetonka who emerged victorious and will now move on to the state championship game. This is an exciting moment for the team, especially for players like Francois, who were also part of the Minnetonka boys basketball team that won the Class 4A state title last March. Their coach, Esch, revealed that after their basketball victory, Francois had texted him, saying, "Let's go win one in football." And now, they are one step closer to achieving that goal.
Esch also shared that this has been a long-time dream for the team, and they have been working towards this moment for a while now. The Skippers will face the winner of Friday's semifinal between Maple Grove and Shakopee in the state championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 22nd. It will be an exciting game, and the Skippers are determined to come out on top and add another state title to their school's name.
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