Chanhassen gets past Mahtomedi on late TD in Class 5A football quarterfinals

Senior Dominic Castagnetto will tell you with a big grin that he and classmate Maxwell Woods form the best running back combination in the state.

Usually a defensive lineman, Castagnetto scored on a 2-yard run with 1 minute, 20 seconds remaining, giving unbeaten Chanhassen a 28-22 victory over Mahtomedi in the Class 5A state quarterfinals Saturday at Apple Valley High School. It came on a 12-play, 76-yard, five-minute drive.

It was Castagnetto's seventh carry of the season and his fifth touchdown. It had him feeling nearly the equal of Woods, who scored three touchdowns Saturday.

"We are 1A and 1B," the 5-11, 265-pound Castagnetto said, smiling. "I like to contribute on both sides of the ball, even putting points on the board."

It was Castagnetto's second game-winning touchdown in as many weeks. He scored on a 3-yard run with 34 seconds remaining to beat Mankato West 37-36 for the Section 2 championship.

Chanhassen has won four times this season with late fourth-quarter drives.

"We've been down this road before," Chanhassen coach Cullen Nelson said. "These guys continue to execute."

Chanhassen uses a heavy-set package with two players — Castagnetto and senior tight end Kameron Zurek — behind senior quarterback Brayden Windschitl and Woods behind them. Woods scored on a 3-yard run in that set with 37.6 seconds left in the first half.

"It's tough to stop," said Woods, who carried 18 times for 108 yards. "We have an amazing offensive line in front of us."

Mahtomedi took a 22-20 lead on senior Charlie Thein's 25-yard field goal with 7:14 remaining. The Zephyrs (6-5) turned the ball over on downs on their final possession as the Storm (11-0) recorded two sacks.

The Storm was hindered by two fumbles, one that led to a Mahtomedi touchdown and the other at the Zephyrs 5-yard line.

"It was an ugly win," Woods said. "We found a way to get it done."

Woods turned a swing pass from Windschitl into a 13-yard touchdown with 10:51 remaining, giving the Storm a 20-19 lead. It was only Chanhassen's 10th play of the second half. Woods also returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown after the Zephyrs scored first.

Mahtomedi senior Charlie Brandt scored on two 1-yard quarterback sneaks and hit wide receiver Will Newman with an 18-yard touchdown pass to give the Zephyrs a 19-14 lead in the third quarter.

Mahtomedi impressed Castagnetto.

"They're not the biggest guys I've ever faced against, but they played very hard, very fast," he said. "A gritty football team."