Minnetonka’s Caleb Francois Shines in Class 6A Semifinal Victory
MINNETONKA, MN – In an exciting showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Minnetonka Skippers triumphed over the Anoka Tornadoes with a score of 48-27, thanks to a standout performance by junior quarterback Caleb Francois. He rushed for an astounding 283 yards and scored five touchdowns, showcasing his impressive skills on the field.
The high-stakes match put Francois against Anoka’s senior quarterback, Peyton Podany, who was also impressive with his passing game. Podany managed to throw for 222 yards, completing 18 of his 28 attempts, and tossed three touchdowns, making it a fierce battle of quarterbacks with very different styles.
Early in the first half, both teams displayed their strengths. Francois led Minnetonka’s running attack with 174 yards and two touchdowns in just the first half. Meanwhile, Podany answered back with precision, completing 11 of 14 passes and tossing two touchdowns, keeping the game competitive.
“We have a lot of trust on our offensive line,” said Francois. “So, we were very confident in our run game.” His performance only got better as the game wore on. He executed a crucial fourth-and-5 conversion that led to another Skipper touchdown, pushing their lead to 28-21.
While Podany and the Tornadoes struggled to respond to the mounting pressure from the Skippers’ defense, Minnetonka’s ability to sustain drives and convert when it mattered most was evident. Coach Mark Esch expressed relief as Francois’s impressive play helped secure the victory. “That play wasn’t designed to go to him. But he’s a playmaker,” Esch remarked.
With this victory, the Skippers (10-2) now look forward to facing the winner of the upcoming semifinal match between Shakopee and Maple Grove, marking their first Prep Bowl appearance since 2017.
