Mankato West football pulls away from Andover in top 5A clash

Senior quarterback Barton McAninch accounted for five touchdowns in the win

ANDOVER, Minn. — The No. 5 Mankato West Scarlets defeated the No. 13 Andover Huskies 35-21 Friday at Andover High School.

Scarlet quarterback Barton McAninch rushed for three touchdowns and threw for two more. Senior Brody Koberoski caught 10 passes and two touchdowns.

Andover quarterback Chase Pemberton threw for two touchdowns in the first quarter, but he suffered a shoulder injury and did not return to the game. Hudson Maynard took over at quarterback and threw for one touchdown, but the Huskies' offense failed to score in the second half.

This page will be updated with a full recap, video and photo gallery. 

Here are three takeaways from the game

McAninch makes his mark

Mankato West was at its own 35-yard line on third down late in the third quarter. The Scarlets led 28-21.

So on third and long, McAninch connected with Koberoski, as he had all game, to give the Scarlets a fourth-and-short at midfield. McAninch took the snap and ran up the middle, broke a tackle and sprinted into the end zone for a 48-yard touchdown.

It was a series of two plays on McAninch’s shoulders that put the game out of reach for the Huskies.

As he came to the sideline, Mankato West coach JJ Helget embraced him and told him, “that’s a great play.”

It was the best moment in a great night for McAninch, who accounted for all of the Scarlets touchdowns, and he finished with over 300 yards of total offense.

The Scarlets have multiple receiving options

University of Minnesota commit and wide receiver Jalen Smith was quiet for Mankato West, finishing with two receptions and 12 yards. Smith dealt with what appeared to be cramps throughout the second half that kept him off the field.

But Koberoski looked capable of being a top weapon on a top team. His 56-yard touchdown tied the game at 14 in the first quarter after Andover scored on its first two drives. Then he had a 20-yard touchdown catch to take a 28-21 lead in the third quarter.

“I’m always ready for the ball, no matter what,” Koberoski said. “[McAninch] and I have a really good connection. He knows, and I’m always ready if he looks my way.”

Andover deflates after Pemberton injury

In just two drives, Andover quarterback Chase Pemberton accrued 106 passing yards, two passing touchdowns on three passes, and he ran for 53 yards on three rushes. But it was one of those rushes where he hurt his left shoulder.

Pemberton was pushed at full speed out of bounds, where he landed hard on his shoulder. He remained in the game for one more play, a touchdown pass to Cameron Begalle, but Hudson Maynard was in at quarterback on the next drive, and Pemberton was on the sideline in a sling.

The Andover offense was not the same after his injury. Maynard held his own. He led a touchdown drive in the second quarter that finished with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Obe Eyafe.

But the Huskies could not muster an answer to McAninch and Mankato West’s offense while their defense grew confident after each stop.

Begalle finished with five receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns. 

Here is our photo gallery from the game.

Mankato West vs. Andover

Photos by Earl Ebensteiner