It seems like every high school team in America goes into each new season with a motto or a battle cry.
With that said, the theme for the Minnetonka football team isn’t hard to spot. Everywhere in the community and surrounding small segments of the town such as Deephaven, Greenwood and Excelsior, you can see the two word battle cry on signs. They simply read: “Tonka Strong.”
The team needed to be Tonka Strong to hold onto its lead as Shakopee rallied for a 21-13 final score in the Skippers’ homecoming game Sept. 27 at Einer Anderson Stadium.
Minnetonka had a 21-0 lead at one point in this battle between unbeaten teams. But the Sabers got their ground game going to make the final much closer.
The Skippers managed to get their lead by taking advantage of the few mistakes Shakopee made. Senior ball hawk and captain Malachi Boadi picked off two Shakopee passes and was outstanding in pursuit on running plays.
The rest of the Minnetonka defense pitched in to contain Shakopee running back TJ Clark, who had at least 100 yards rushing in each of Shakopee’s wins the first four weeks of the season.
“[Defensive coordinator] Matt Lombardi had a good scheme,” Minnetonka head coach Mark Esch said after the game. “Shakopee’s veer-option offense is effective and they have a really talented offensive line.”
Coach Esch talked about Boadi’s interceptions: “Malachi is always in the right place at the right time. He’s a three-year starter and a smart football player.”
Boadi had four tackles, two of them unassisted, along with his picks. Senior captain and linebacker Dylan Hudgens, the Skippers’ other three-year starter on defense, had nine tackles, including five solos. Nose tackle Caleb Taylor, another senior captain had five solos among his eight tackles. Also finishing with eight tackles was Lukas Poppen-Fierro. Sterling Bain was excellent in the open field with five solos among his six tackles. Milan Bobda, AJ Fider and Alex Schneider were each in on five tackles.
Offensively, the Skippers thrive with a two-pronged ground game. Junior quarterback Caleb Francois gained 75 yards on 18 carries and senior halfback Chase Conrad racked up 88 yards on 18 carries. Minnetonka rushed for 234 yards, which were enough to win the possession battle.
“Shakopee’s defense keyed on Caleb [Francois],” coach Esch noted. “And that gave our running backs openings. We are 5-0 now, and we were 5-0 at this point last season, but last season we had players out with injuries.”
Minnetonka’s three touchdowns were all the result of plays by Francois and Conrad. Conrad scored on a 10-yard run in the first quarter. In the second quarter Conrad caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Francois. In the third quarter Francois scored on a 1-yard plunge. Shakopee rallied with a touchdown in the third quarter and another in the fourth.
Minnetonka travels for a 7 p.m. game Friday, Oct. 4, at Eden Prairie’s Aerie Stadium. Coach Mike Grant’s Eagles are 2-3 this season after going 11-1 last year.
“We will need to play our best game,” coach Esch said. “I know that Eden Prairie is going to fight like crazy. We need to carry out our assignments.”
Local News
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