Prep athletes of the week: Big stop, then the game-winner for Chaska's Stevo Klotz

Chaska • football

Stevo Klotz says he loves to run the football as a fullback, but because he started his varsity career on defense he takes ''pride in stopping the other team."

Klotz got to enjoy both Saturday as he helped Chaska claim the first football state title in school history.

Klotz's 1-yard touchdown run with less than a minute left provided the decisive points in Chaska's 10-7 victory over St. Thomas Academy in the Class 5A championship game.

The Hawks might not have been in the position to win if Klotz, a senior who also plays linebacker, hadn't made a crucial defensive stop in the third quarter. With the Cadets looking to add to their 7-3 lead, they drove to the Hawks 12-yard line. On fourth-and-4, the 6-5 Klotz stopped the Cadets ball carrier for a 4-yard loss.

"It was a toss play and I was able to make the stop," Klotz said.

Chaska coach Bryan Dahl called the play "huge for momentum. If they put that thing in the end zone, it's a different ballgame."

Park Center • basketball

The 6-9 power forward, who has signed with Baylor, scored 28 points and grabbed 21 rebounds to lead the Pirates, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, to a season-opening 85-70 victory over defending Class 4A champion Hopkins, which is ranked No. 6.

Roseville • hockey

The senior forward scored four goals — including the tying goal in the third period and the game-winner in overtime — in Roseville's 6-5 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall. She has scored six of the Raiders' 10 goals this season.

Mpls. South • basketball

Wayzata • basketball

The 6-2 junior forward led the Trojans, 4-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, to victories over No. 5 Lakeville North and No. 8 Chaska. Johnson scored 25 points in the Trojans' 74-63 victory over Chaska and scored 33 to fuel their 89-52 victory over Lakeville North.

Hill-Murray • hockey

The senior forward scored two goals to lead the Pioneers, ranked No. 7 in Class 2A, to a season-opening 4-2 victory over No. 5 Blaine. Strobel scored 43 seconds into the third period to break a 2-2 tie and then scored again with 3 minutes, 40 seconds left.

Wayzata • football

JOEL RIPPEL