MANKATO — Two steps forward, one step back.
It seemed like when Mankato East made a big play and was about to get some momentum, there was a sack. Or a penalty. Or a negative play.
“This is one of the toughest sections in the state, and we have a lot of tough opponents coming up,” East coach Eric Davis said. “We know we are one of those teams, but we need to play a much cleaner game.”
Despite outgaining Chaska, Mankato East lost 7-6 on Friday at Wolverton Field. East, which had won its first two games by a combined score of 108-6, was trying to go 3-0 for the first time since 2001.
“Sometimes, you win so easy, and in a game like this, you know you have to grind,” Davis said. “Chaska makes you work for everything. They were daring us to run the ball, and we did that pretty well, but we kept making mistakes.”
The first half was filled with punts. Chaska (2-1) went ahead in the second quarter, connecting on a 37-yard pass before scoring on an 11-yard pass.
East countered with its best drive later in the first half, going 80 yards in seven plays. Ganden Gosch was 4 of 4 in the drive, with the final one being a 38-yard score in which Brogan Madson grabbed the short pass, raced between defenders and powered through the last tackle attempt to make it 7-6.
The second half was played between the 30s, and Chaska was able to kill some clock with the running game. But East had a 13-play drive that moved the ball to Chaska’s 12, but a sack on third forced a long field goal attempt that was wide.
“The offense was able to move the ball, but we made too many mistakes,” Madson said. “Credit our defense. They kept getting us the ball and gave us an opportunity.”
Zach Bosse ended up rushing for 91 yards on 17 carries. Gosch was 16 of 24 for 169 yards, while Madson made six catches for 94 yards and the score. However, Chaska made seven sacks, stopping several promising drives.
Linebacker Tyler Thilges made 7 tackles for the defense, and defensive back Mickale Smith had 5.5 tackles. Chaska had only 170 yards of offense.
“Chaska is big and physical,” Madson said. “But we were able to move the ball. Just made too many mistakes.”
East (2-1) is on the road Friday, playing at Rochester John Marshall.
“We know we can play with anybody,” Madson said. “We just have to clean things up and we’ll be OK.”
Follow Chad Courrier on X @ChadCourrier.