Chanhassen snags last-minute win over Mankato West in Class 5A football playoffs

If you're going to do something you've never done before, might as well make it as memorable as possible.

Host Chanhassen rallied from a 14-point deficit for the second time in the game Friday, beating nemesis Mankato West 37-36 in the Class 5A, Section 2 final when Dominic Castagnetto, normally a fireplug of a defensive lineman, plowed over from 2 yards out with 34 seconds left in the game.

Hayden McDaniel kicked the extra point, sending Chanhassen to the state tournament for the first time in team history.

"It's a dream come true," Castagnetto said.

Castagnetto had spent most of the game chasing Mankato West stellar quarterback Bart McAninch before his number was called with the game, and the season, on the line.

Giving the ball to the powerful Castagnetto in short-yardage situations was something the Chanhassen coaches dreamed up in the offseason. But Castagnetto admitted he never thought he'd get his chance in such an crucial situation.

"When they introduced me to the play before the season, I remember thinking, 'Man, if I could do this in an elimination game, I'm complete,' " Castagnetto said, grinning.

That he even got the chance to rescue the Storm's season was unlikely. Chanhassen appeared intent on moving into scoring position on the legs of star running back Maxwell Woods. Woods more than pulled his share, but he was in need of a breather with the clock running out. On third-and-19, Chanhassen quarterback Brayden Windschitl lofted a pass toward the Mankato West goal line. Receiver Daxton Bush leaped over two defenders and hauled it in at the 2-yard line with less than a minute to go.

"The quarterback has been my best friend my whole life, so I kind of knew he was going to throw it up to me," Bush said. "I just had to make the play. Everything just kind of went silent. It feels like I'm in a Disney movie."

One play later, Castagnetto burst into the end zone and the No. 1-ranked Storm had defeated No. 2 Mankato West for the first time in the playoffs after nine straight losses. Finally Chanhassen had reached the state tournament.

"Ever since we started tackle football, it's always been our dream," Castagnetto said. "To do it our senior year just makes it even better."

*To see the the section tournament brackets in six classes and the state tournament bracket in Class 6A, click here.