Quantcast
skip navigation

Wayzata rides straight-ahead Christian Vasser back to the 6A Prep Bowl

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune , 11/15/19, 10:30PM CST

Share

The senior running back carried the ball 44 times for 269 yards and three touchdowns in leading the Trojans to a 28-14 victory over Lakeville South and their first title game since 2011.


Wayzata quarterback Thomas Schmidt (14) scored a touchdown in the first half and gestured to the crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo: ANTHONY SOUFFLE • anthony.souffle@startribune.com

Three years ago, Wayzata senior Christian Vasser purchased a legacy brick for placement on the U.S. Bank Stadium plaza. It read, “Someday I’m going to play here.”

He made good on the engraved message Friday, leading the top-ranked Trojans back to their first Class 6A semifinal in seven years. And Vasser was their rock throughout a 28-14 victory, rushing 44 times for 269 yards and three touchdowns against No. 2 Lakeville South.

With the victory, Wayzata (12-0) advances to the Prep Bowl to play No. 3 Champlin Park (10-1) at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29.

Lakeville South used a three-headed running attack all season, confusing defenses with its straight-T offense. But Vasser and his offensive line used a superior straight-ahead approach.

The 6-1, 205-pound Vasser outgained the Cougars’ trio of Willie Bastyr, Riley Haglund and Johnny Shabaz, who combined for 179 rushing yards.

“They are really big up front and their back Vasser is a hell of a football player,” Lakeville South coach Ben Burk said. “They look a little different than we do but the idea is the same — run the ball and control the clock.”

Before Vasser got going, Lakeville South’s misdirection scheme proved impossible to stop on game’s opening drive. Bastyr hit a hole on the left side then made his way back across the field for a 43-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead.

First report

Lakeville South used a three-headed running attack Friday in the Class 6A semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Wayzata rode one, Christian Vasser, to a 28-14 victory.

Vasser ran 44 times for 269 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-1, 205-pound Vasser outgained the Cougars’ trio of Willie Bastyr, Riley Haglund and Johnny Shabaz, who combined for 179 rushing yards.

With the victory, No. 1 Wayzata (12-0) advances to the Prep Bowl to play No. 3 Champlin Park (10-1) at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

In the first half, Vasser ran 28 times for 162 yards and two of the Trojans’ three touchdowns as they built a 21-7 halftime lead on No. 2 Lakeville South (10-2).

Before Vasser got going, Lakeville South’s misdirection scheme proved impossible to stop on the game’s opening drive. Bastyr hit the hole on the left side then made his way back across the field for a 43-yard touchdown run and 7-0 lead.

Vasser shouldered much of Wayzata’s first drive, running for 71 of the team’s 80 yards. He ran the final 2 yards on fourth down for a touchdown and 7-7 tie.

The Trojans forced a Lakeville South punt and then went ahead 14-7 on their ensuing drive. Quarterback Thomas Schmidt ran 3 yards for the go-ahead score less than two minutes into the second quarter.

Football Hub Headlines