There was snow and there was cold, and there were red cheeks and red faces and, for each and every member of the Mankato West football team, it was perfect.
The Scarlets, known for their potent offense and gaudy point totals, got down to basics Saturday, outslugging St. Michael-Albertville 26-21 in a Class 5A semifinal game at Eden Prairie High School.
Quarterback Ryan Schlichte showed why he's considered one of the state's top QB prospects, hitting his speedy wide receiver, Connor Watts, for TDs of 80- and 65-yards in the first half. But, for all of Schlichte's passing prowess — he managed to throw for more than 200 yards despite the wintry conditions — it was Mankato West's ability to control the line of scrimmage that was the difference.
"Oh man, my offensive line, they were unbelievable," he said. "They do not get enough credit. They deserve more brownies."
With the snow dictating the play-calling, West coach Mark Esch said that controlling the line of scrimmage was a top priority. It worked just the way it was drawn up as Schlichte and running back Van Neils were often 2 or 3 yards past the line of scrimmage before encountering a tackler.
Schlichte rushed 25 times for 74 yards and two TDs, and Neil carried the ball 12 times for 69 yards. Even more important, the Scarlets did not have a single negative-yardage play in the game.
"Our goal was to set the physical tone," Esch said. He added that having Schlichte carry the ball that frequently was a first., but the results were expected.
"We've been saving him a little," Esch said. "But at this time of year, there's no reason to do that anymore."
St. Michael-Albertville kept coming back, twice cutting the lead to one touchdown or less in the second half, but overall the Knights inconsistent offense was its undoing. They had two potential TD passes dropped and quarterback Jackson Greenwaldt was harassed in the pocket all game.
"We know we have a really good defense, we prepared amazingly for them and we came up huge," said linebacker Kevin Marzolf. "To be honest, with these conditions, it was more fun than any game we've had."
