Chanhassen entered with a powerful offense; the St. Thomas Academy defense is stout.
Yet, it was Dominic Baez and the Cadets’ offense that were the difference Friday.
Baez scored on two long runs and a short touchdown reception, and St. Thomas Academy beat Chanhassen 28-13 in a matchup of two top Class 5A teams. The game started two hours late due to lightning and was called 43 seconds into the fourth quarter due to thunder and lightning.
“Obviously, we wanted to win in full-time regulation, but it definitely keeps the momentum going for the season,” said Todd Rogalski, aka “Big Play Todd,” who had his ninth career punt block for the Cadets.
Baez finished with 157 rushing yards on 11 carries, including scores from 42 yards and what turned out to be a 77-yard sprint midway through the third quarter.
“I’ve been playing with the boys up front since freshman year and the continuity we have is unmatched,” he said. “We know we’ll get our passing game going. We have great athletes. (Wide receivers) Jay Warford, Manny Sims, (quarterback Tristan) Karl’s slinging the rock. It’s amazing to have all these pieces to support the team.”
Chanhassen quarterback Nathan Ramler threw for 165 yards but was sacked by Kristian Cercioglu on fourth down inside the Cadets’ 30-yard line late in the third.
Ramler leads a balanced attack for the No. 2 Storm (3-1) who averaged more than 43 points per game in their first three outings. In its first three games, the stout St. Thomas Academy defense allowed 13 combined points in the first three quarters.
Chanhassen matched that total in the opening 12 minutes, but third-ranked St. Thomas Academy (4-0) has still yet to be scored on in the second and third quarters.
“It was hard coming into a delayed game. Our coaches just said we’re ready for them, we’ve planned for this. We just stayed true to our techniques, and we got it done,” Rogalski said.
Chanhassen led 13-7 after one quarter as Ramler and James Kopfmann connected for scores from 16 and 51 yards. They were sandwiched around a 42-yard jaunt by Baez.
“I can’t do it without the boys up front,” Baez said. “They spring all those holes for me. They attack the line of scrimmage, they move the line. I don’t have to do anything until 3 yards. I’m very grateful for them.”
The second quarter belonged to St. Thomas Academy for a 21-13 Cadets’ lead at the break, a margin that could have been greater.
After an early Luke Hudson 10-yard touchdown reception put St. Thomas Academy up by one point, Chanhassen went three-and-out.
Bursting through the line, Rogalski blocked the ensuing punt and returned it to the 2. Three plays later, Karl rolled out and connected with Baez in the front corner of the end zone.
“I thought I got in the end zone, but the offense finished it off,” Rogalski said.
And about his “Big Play Todd” nickname?
“Our AD called me it one time and the guys kind of joke around and stuff,” he said with a big grin. “I’m a team guy.”
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