It was perfect Friday night weather for the Mankato East-Mankato West high school football game and the high-octane atmosphere was ramped up a little more by the presence of Gov. Tim Walz.
The vice presidential candidate and former West teacher and assistant football coach made a pre-game stop at West High School, where he gave a pep talk to players, then came to Blakeslee Stadium at the Minnesota State University campus and did the coin toss prior to the start of the game.
Walz headed into the stands on the West side of the field shaking hands, giving hugs, chatting and signing autographs as the game began.
Kay Schemmel had reason to root for both East, where she went to school, and West, where her kids attended.
“I think it’s awesome he’s here,” she said of Walz. “I root for him. He has so much energy and is so positive and the nation really needs that now.”
While there were a few “Trump” shirts on some fans and students in the West section, the support clearly leaned to Walz.
On the other side of the field, in the East High section, there was a fairly muted response as Walz arrived.
“I think (Walz being here) takes away from the game,” said Loren Wood. His wife Joellyn said it overpowers the focus that should be on the players.
They have a grandson, junior Hayden Tischler, playing for the Cougars.
Randy Peterson, whose son plays JV and some varsity for East, also said he thought the governor’s presence detracted from the players and the game.
West students Mia Hummel and Evia Defries know of the ties Walz has to West.
“He taught my mom,” Hummel said.
“He taught my dad,” Defries said.
Security was ramped up for the visit of Kamala Harris’ running mate.
Walz arrived in a caravan made up of several State Patrol and Secret Service vehicles.
Secret Service and Homeland Security agents, Mankato Police, Blue Earth County Sheriff and State Patrol officers patrolled around and in the stadium. Everyone coming to the game had to pass through metal detectors.
A police sniper was stationed overlooking the stadium.
Walz was scheduled to take part in the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in Sleepy Eye early Saturday morning.
Walz is to be joined by outdoors-focused internet influencers and discuss the importance of conservation, hunting and the Second Amendment.
Walz’s background as a coach, hunter and gun owner is seen as a boost to the ticket as he works to appeal to male voters who may be leaning toward Trump.
The governor has been focusing attention on the battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.