Minnetonka rolls past Anoka and into the Class 6A football Prep Bowl

Minnetonka won a battle of quarterbacks with contrasting styles, a 48-27 Class 6A semifinal victory against Anoka on Thursday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Skippers (10-2) now await Friday’s semifinal pitting Shakopee against Maple Grove. They will play the winner in their first Prep Bowl since taking second in 2017.

Minnetonka lost 31-21 at Maple Grove on Oct. 17.

“Both teams are great, but we know if we play our football — we are confident in our ability,” senior defensive back Philip Nartey said.

Minnetonka junior quarterback Caleb Francois put his legs to work, gaining 283 yards on 39 carries and scoring five touchdowns. Senior Peyton Podany, meanwhile, led Anoka (8-4) through the air, completing 18 of 28 pass attempts for 222 yards and three scores with an interception.

“We have a lot of trust on our offensive line,” Francois said. “So, we were very confident in our run game.”

Both starting quarterbacks did what they do best throughout an entertaining first half. Francois paced Minnetonka’s rushing attack with 21 carries for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Podany completed 11 of 14 pass attempts for 162 yards and two scores.

Their game of one-upmanship featured an exchange when Francois ran 29 yards to give the Skippers a brief 21-14 lead. That was until Podany answered on Anoka’s next drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Hendrickson.

Podany also connected with Afy Ibekwe for two scores in the game.

“Their front seven started putting on some pressure,” Podany said. “But I am just so proud and grateful how we fought until the end.”

Francois converted on fourth-and-5 with an 8-yard gain. One play later, Chase Conrad scored from 15 yards out to put the Skippers ahead 28-21. Podany and the Tornadoes failed to answer on the next possession.

“It was tough on them a little bit,” Anoka coach Bo Wasurick said. “Peyton is really good at putting the ball out there on a post where his guys should be, but when they are getting diverted or obstructed — that’s tough.”

Opportunity knocked and Francois seized the moment. He picked up another first down rushing to keep Anoka under pressure deep in its own end of the field. One play later, he scored to make it 35-21.

His 30th carry pushed his game total to 250 yards and for all intents and purposes sealed the game.

“Yeah, we started breathing a little easier,” Minnetonka coach Mark Esch said. “That play wasn’t designed to go to him. But he’s a playmaker.”