Mankato West Football to Play for State 5A Title

The Mankato West Scarlets have been ranked #1 all season in the Minnesota Associated Press high school football Class 5A poll.

Saturday night they remained undefeated by rolling past the #5 rated Rogers Royals 42-7 to advance to the Prep Bowl.

Rogers started the scoring with a 8 play 58 yard drive capped off by a 13 yard touchdown pass with 5:15 to go in the first quarter. The extra point kick was good.

With 1:21 to go in the first quarter the Scarlets answered with a 40 yard scoring strike from quarterback Alex Dittbenner (6'0, 195, Sr.) to Mekhi Collins (6'5, 210, Sr.). Drew Smook (6'0, 195, Sr.) kicked the extra point.

Mankato West then scored three second quarter TD's to go ahead 28-7 at the half.

With 8:07 to go in the first half Ryan Haley (6'0, 210, Sr.) scored on a 5 yard run capping a 9 play 62 yard drive. Smook kick good again.

At 7:14 Haley recovered a fumble for a TD. Smook kick good.

With 9 seconds to go in the half Haley ended a 6 play 88 yard drive with a 1 yard touchdown. Smook kick was good again.

There was no scoring in the third quarter. With 9:24 left in the game Collins caught a Dittbenner pass from 3 yards away. Smook kick good.

With 2:25 to go Payton Goettlicher (6'0, 180, Sr.) had a 54 yard pick six. Smook got his 6th point of the game.

Mankato West finished the game with 321 total offensive yards. Rogers tallied 199.

The Scarlets had 226 yards rushing, 119 yards passing. The Royals amassed 156 yards on the ground and 74 yards through the air.

Six Rogers turnovers (4 fumbles, 2 interceptions) were huge in the game leading to 28 of the Scarlets points.

Mankato West went 10 of 14 on third down conversions. Rogers was 3 of 12.

Haley led the Scarlets defensively with 9 solo tackles, fumble recovery. Gibson Blackstad (6'2, 220, Sr.) wreaked havoc with 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 solo tackles. Gannon Rosenfeld (6'2, 220, Sr.) also had 7 solo tackles, a sack and forced fumble.

Mankato West (12-0) will play the Mahtomedi Zephyrs (10-2) Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. in the Class 5A Championship game.

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