Skippers Surge Past Tornadoes in 6A Semifinals
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnetonka Skippers, the top seed in the Class 6A playoffs, showcased their strength in a thrilling 48-27 victory over the Anoka Tornadoes, who entered as the second seed. The game took place on Thursday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, a setting that brought out the best in both teams.
The first half saw both teams trading touchdowns, leaving the score tied at 21 at halftime. However, the second half was a different story. The Skippers’ offensive line dominated, allowing them to rush for an impressive 178 yards. In contrast, Anoka struggled to gain traction, managing only 89 total yards in the second half.
Senior linebacker Jack Yerhot reflected on the team’s nerves early in the game, noting, “I think it’s definitely the stage. I mean, it’s U.S. Bank Stadium, but what settled us down is that we’ve got a lot of really great leaders on the team.”
Leading the charge for the Skippers was quarterback Caleb Francois, who amassed a staggering 283 rushing yards along with five rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown. “We run for over 400 yards, why throw the ball?” said head coach Mark Esch, highlighting their strong rushing game.
Despite the loss, Anoka can take pride in their semifinal appearance, the first since 1994. Running back Zachary Welch shared, “Our goal was to make it to [U.S. Bank Stadium], and we did that.”
Looking ahead, the Skippers are set to compete in their first Prep Bowl since 2017, where they’ll face the winner of the Maple Grove vs. Shakopee matchup. Earlier this season, Minnetonka played both teams, defeating Shakopee but losing to Maple Grove, setting the stage for a crucial battle ahead.
The game kicked off excitingly, with Minnetonka driving early but being stopped on their opening possession. Anoka struck first with a 5-yard touchdown by Afy Ibekwe, but Minnetonka quickly responded with a touchdown to take the lead. The back-and-forth continued until halftime, where both teams were even.
As the third quarter began, Minnetonka took control, scoring the first of several touchdowns that would see them pull away. With strong performances from their offense and a fierce defensive effort, the Skippers ultimately sealed their fate with a decisive win.
As the dust settles on this exciting matchup, the focus now shifts to what’s next for the Skippers. The upcoming Prep Bowl promises to be even more thrilling as they look to bring home the championship.
