By Bruce Karnick

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Rain drops during football games usually means football drops for players, usually. Thankfully, the rain did not dampen the Raiders spirit and it only affected a few plays. Unfortunately, one of those plays was a big one.

Hastings and Chanhassen have never faced off in football that anyone can recall, so this was new territory for both teams. Last year, the Chanhassen Storm were a top ten team in the state, this year is no different. On the sidelines, a local Storm parent explained two of the Storm’s receivers, #2 Josh Och and #14 Charlie Coenen, are currently being recruited by Division I schools. Another player is being recruited by Division I schools for baseball, meaning they have some very talented athletes.

Heading into the game, Head Coach Dana Strain knew the Raiders would have to work hard and execute to earn the win. “We knew they were gonna be a good football team. You know they’re a winning program they had a great year last year. Obviously it’s not going to return all the same kids but we did also see them in the scrimmage, and they fared quite well actually against St Thomas and Eden Prairie, two pretty good programs obviously so we knew they’d be good but you don’t really know until you, you know, go toe to toe with somebody for sure.”

The game started with the Storm coming out of the gate throwing and on the first play of the game Steven Reifenberger nabbed an interception on an 8-yard pass attempt at the Raider 45-yard line. The subsequent raider drive resulted in a punt after a quick three and out.

Chanhassen then started at their own 28 and after 12 plays, 72 yards, junior quarterback Grant Muffenbier connected with senior wideout Charlie Coenen for a 14-yard touchdown to start the scoring with 2 minutes, 39 seconds left in the first quarter. The extra point was no good.

The Raider defense made the Storm earn their points, Strain explained. “They got a little bit of stuff going there offensively against us in the first half and we did a great job throughout the game of making a lineup again they are an explosive offense. We’ve seen that in years, you know on last year’s team that’s kind of part of their offensive DNA and they also did that against St Thomas and Eden Prairie both, they were able to get explosive plays and so I thought defensively we did a great job of making them line up again and again.”

Hastings was not able to earn a first down on the ensuing drive giving the ball back to Chanhassen at the Storm 40. 11 plays later, with 8:32 left in the half, Muffenbier connected once again with his receivers, this time a 12-yard fade to Josh Och.

The Raider offense then had a little success moving the ball until the drive stalled near midfield. Chanhassen stormed back from their 10-yard line and threatened to score once more. A series of bizarre penalties took place and then the Raider defense came up big forcing Chanhassen to kick a 37-yard field goal with 59 seconds left in the half.

Trailing 16-0, Hastings tried to use that remaining time to cut into the lead built up by Chanhassen, but by now, the rain had been coming down long enough that, when combined with the pressure on Raider quarterback Axel Arnold, a pass to the left side of the field floated out of control into the arms of an awaiting defensive back, senior linebacker Gabe Porthan. Porthan took the INT to the house giving the Storm the 22-0 lead with 11 seconds left in the half. The PAT was good, and Chanhassen had the game well in hand with two quarters of play left.

Coach Strain was proud of the determination from his team. “We got to halftime, obviously kind of a gut punch going into the half and, and then, you know, talk to the kids at halftime. It would have been easy for them to be rattled or, or to you know give up and that was what I was most proud about it wasn’t any great adjustments that we did in any of the three phases as much as it was just coming out and continuing to battle and execute. [The second half was] a little bit better made a couple of key plays, you know, just to get off the field defensively whereas like I said we weren’t bad by any stretch in the first half just couldn’t win on possession downs and then we went on a few of them in the second half and next thing you know you get your offense going a little bit and then you start to play with a little bit of momentum there defensively. So, nothing big more annual adjustment wise all the coaches certainly tweak things, and did a nice job but, but just the kids continuing to battle was the most impressive thing and, and we don’t particularly you know down what it was 23 zero or half. And having that tough ending of the

half for them to come out and perform and compete the way they did was, was a great sign for us going forward and speak highly of our kids.”

The Raiders started the second half with the ball and stuck to their game plan of a solid run game. This earned them a few extra plays, but they ultimately had to punt. The defense stood strong, forcing Chanhassen’s first punt of the game. Had the momentum swung the way of Hastings?

On the ensuing Raider drive, a balance of ground and air attacks finally put Hastings on the board. 13 plays and 94 yards was culminated by a great pass from Arnold to Reifenberger along the sidelines. Reifenberger had to make a dive to score on the 32-yard play with 4:35 left in the third. Hastings opted to go for two but that was stuffed quickly by the Storm.

With Hastings now trailing 23-6, there was still a full quarter left to play. Had Hastings finally worn down Chanhassen? Unfortunately, no. The remainder of the game saw a few series exchanged between the two teams but no additional scoring. The final Chanhassen 23, Hastings 6.

Hastings finished the night with 180 yards, 51 rushing and 129 passing. Even though they did not get their first, first down until the second quarter, they finished with 11 first downs.

Payton Burow led the way on the ground with 29 yards on 11 carries. Johnny Bezdicek had 52 yards receiving with four receptions. Reifenberger had 42 yards on two receptions and one touchdown. Arnold was 10-for-22 for a 45% completion percentage and one touchdown.

The Hastings defense allowed 356 yards on 58 plays. 161 on the ground and 196 through the air and allowed 16 first downs.

Penalties were scarce, Hastings had 3-for-25 yards and Chanhassen 5-for-40 yards.

Fans that were at the game were confused by a defensive penalty at the end of a running play, against Hastings. Defensive holding was called at the end of a play. The officials gave Chanhassen the result of the play, plus five yards and they were able to replay the down. Normally it is, keep the result of the play or, go back to the line of scrimmage, add on the penalty yards and replay the down, so to have all three was very confusing to not only fans, but the Raider sideline as well. Coach Strain stepped on to the field for clarification that took a few minutes to sort out. He was complimentary of the officials for communicating well in a few situations where things were not clear.

Up next for Hastings is Apple Valley at McNamara Stadium at Todd Field, Thursday, September 9, at 7:00 pm, so what does Coach Strain know about the Eagles? “Well, you know they’re a good program, we didn’t get a chance to see them last year because you know that when they cut the schedule from eight games to six, it was just ‘pick two games to cut out’, and Apple Valley happen to be a part of the two that we lost so we haven’t seen them in a couple of years. So, we’ve just got one game on film to go on here that we’ve been breaking down now over the weekend. They’re good football team and they played an incredible team in Mahotmedi Friday night. Mahotmedi got after them pretty good, but we know Apple Valley is a good program and so we’re just focused on us and making sure we’re ready to go and I think our kids will be. We’re excited to be home.”

Coach Strain added the boys are excited to play at home for the season opener and there are a few extra curricular things planned for the fans. Little Raiders Football will be in attendance, typically they form the lines as the big boys run on to the field and then play at half time. The United Way of Hastings will also be there celebrating their fundraising kickoff, details of that can be found in their story. Of course, the boys would love to see the stands packed with students and fans!

Some things to remember; buy your tickets online to save the hassle at the gate. No cash is accepted for ticket sales. Parents do need to accompany students K-8 into the game, please do not drop off your kids. If you want to be in your seat by kickoff, plan on being at the field half an hour before kickoff and buy your tickets in advance. If you show up at 6:40 or later, you will likely miss the kickoff.

To buy tickets in advance, visit https://www.hastingsathletics. org/admission.

Raider senior quarterback Axel Arnold sets for a pass toward Rico Cooper as Hastings tried to comeback from 23-6 deficit. Arnold had a 45% completion percentage on a cool, rainy night to start the season.Photo by Bruce Karnick