Calvin Buesgens

First report from the game:

No. 1 seed Chaska (10-0) defeated No. 2-seed and defending champion Mankato West (8-2) 27-6 on Friday in the Class 5A, Section 2 championship game at Chaska.

The Hawks will face either Andover or Spring Lake Park in the first round of the state tournament in Edina next Saturday.

Chaska dominated the first half to take a 20-0 lead. Junior quarterback Justin Arnold and senior wide receiver Calvin Buesgens combined for a 67-yard touchdown run while senior running back Kolby Seiffert added a 3-yard rushing touchdown as well. Senior Louis Hartzog made two field goals and all of his extra points en route to his team’s win.

The Scarlets’ junior quarterback Ryan Schlichte and senior wide receiver Will Claussen combined for a 15-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. But Chaska fed off a successful blocked extra point for Arnold and Buesgens to create a 73-yard touchdown early in the fourth.

Recap: Junior quarterback Justin Arnold and senior wide receiver Calvin Buesgens combined for two big plays for Chaska (10-0), with a 67-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 73-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The victory returns the Hawks to the state tournament for the first time since 1974, when they finished second.

Key of the game: Chaska capitalized on several of the Scarlets turnovers, including a fumble recovery on the opening kickoff. That, combined with the Hawks’ overall team speed, made it very difficult for Mankato West to dig itself out of a 20-0 halftime hole.

Quote: “This group of guys has been through it all — poor season two years ago. We’ve been on the rise. It just feels so good.” — Chaska’s Buesgens

One thing to know: Chaska will face Andover next Saturday in Edina.

MEGAN RYAN