Senior quaterback Maxon Hutton and senior running back Cole Kirchoff combined for 230 yards and five touchdowns in the first half to help fourth-seeded Chanhassen blow out fifth-seeded New Prague in the Class 5A, Section 2 quarterfinals.

“It was our last game on this field,” Hutton said. “The seniors really tried to take the bull by the horns to win this game.”

At the half, Hutton was 5-for-6 passing for 104 yards and three touchdowns to go with 40 yards rushing. Kirchoff ran the ball 12 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns as Chanhassen stormed to a 35-0 lead. Senior receiver Kenyon Brannon caught two deep touchdown passes from Hutton in the first half. 

“He’s one of my best friends,” Brannon said of Hutton. “We have good chemistry. We’ve been working together since our freshman year.”

Chanhassen, co-champion with cross-district rival Chaska of the first-ever Metro West Conference, will face top-seeded Mankato West Saturday in the semifinals. 

“They’re a good team, but we’re not afraid of anyone,” Hutton said. “We’re pumped about it. We want to take them on. We think we’re a good team and we can beat them.”

Key of the game: Chanhassen forced three turnovers in first half alone. Sophomore Drake Weisman and senior captain Andrew Poppen each had an interception and senior linebacker Justin Wilson recovered a fumble.

Quote: When we spread the field, the passing game opens up the running game. I’m really tight with my receivers. It feels so good to connect with them like that.” - Maxon Hutton

One thing to know: Chanhassen senior Dan Carlson has unique responsibilities for the Storm. He plays slot receiver and nose tackle.

PATRICK JOHNSON