High School

Live score recap: Elk River defeats Chanhassen in MSHSL Class 5A semifinal (11/15/2024)

Get score updates from the 2024 Minnesota high school playoff game between the Storm and the Elks

Jack Butler, SBLive Sports

Chanhassen in the 2023 Class 5A Prep Bowl
Chanhassen in the 2023 Class 5A Prep Bowl / Jeff Lawler

MINNEAPOLIS — In 2024, when everything can be tracked and quantified, momentum is still immeasurable by numbers. It's felt by coaches and players. It's curated by years of experience.

Sometimes momentum swings in a single moment and its as notable as a jackhammer pummeling concrete. Other times, its a small moment, only traceable when the game is over and hindsight is king.

On Friday, the Elk River Elks (11-1) defeated the Chanhassen Storm (8-4) 21-19 in the MSHSL Class 5A semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium. In the first quarter, Chanhassen scored on a Noah Kloke touchdown reception, but Elk Rivers' Cooper Mansfield blocked the extra point, so the Storm only took a 6-0 lead. It was a raindrop with ripples that turned into waves.

One quarter later, Chanhassen quarterback Nathan Ramler threw an interception to Elk River linebacker Ben Hickman, who returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.

"We practice, over and over and over again, these drops," Hickman said. "… I just turned and saw the route we had seen all week in practice, and I looked and I saw the ball. I was definitely looking at the Jumbotron worrying about getting caught."

Elk River converted the PAT for a 7-6 lead, and on Chanhassen's next drive, the Storm and head coach Cullen Nelson decided to go for the 4th-and-1 conversion on their own 29-yard line. The Elks stuffed the Storm and scored with the short yardage and took a 14-6 lead into the second half.

The pick 6, the turnover on downs and the touchdown felt like the jackhammer on the concrete.

"We probably should’ve held them to seven points [as a defense] if I punt the ball on fourth down," Nelson said. 

Chanhassen fought back in the third quarter and cut the lead to 14-12 with a touchdown run from Kade Bush. The Storm tried for the 2-point conversion, but they failed, and the ripples from the blocked PAT grew.

Elk River scored again in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 21-12. Chanhassen now needed two possessions to take a lead or tie the game. The ripples were now a wave.

"The blocked extra point after our first touchdown was probably the momentum play," Nelson said. "You’ve got to try and catch up to a team that you don’t know how many times you’re going to get the ball back."

The Storm scored a touchdown with a pass to James Kopfmann, but Elk River recovered the onside kick. Chanhassen stopped the Elks on four downs, but Chanhassen only had time for one Hail Mary attempt, and the Elks swatted it down.

"Momentum in high school is just everything," Elk River coach Steve Hamilton said. "One play like that turns a whole game."

Elk River will play the winner of Alexandria vs. Owatonna in the Class 5A Prep Bowl on Saturday, November 21 at 4 p.m.

Chanhassen vs. Elk River Class 5A MSHSL Semifinals Live Score Updates

First Quarter Updates

Elk River receives the opening kickoff and we're underway.

Elk River drives to the Chanhassen 6-yard line, but the Elks are called for a false start, and they eventually turn the ball over on downs.

TOUCHDOWN CHANHASSEN! Noah Kloke takes a pass from the backfield to the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown. The PAT is blocked. Chanhassen leads 6-0 with 1:24 remaining in the first quarter.

End of First Quarter: Chanhassen 6, Elk River 0

Second Quarter Updates

TOUCHDOWN ELK RIVER! Ben Hickman intercepts Chanhassen quarterback Nathan Ramler and returns it 65-yards for a touchdown. PAT is good. Elk River leads 7-6 with 5:17 remaining.

TOUCHDOWN ELK RIVER! Levi Harris runs in a 1-yard touchdown after the Elks defense turns Chanhassen over on down in its own territory. PAT is good. Elk River leads 14-6 with 1:38 remaining.

HALFTIME: Elk River 14, Chanhassen 6

Teams are back on the field to warm up for the second half.

Third Quarter Updates

Chanhassen receives the kick and we're underway.

ELK RIVER FUMBLE! Harris fumbles the snap, and Chanhassen recovers on the Elk River 40-yard line. Elk River leads 14-6 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

TOUCHDOWN CHANHASSEN! Kade Bush takes the direct snap and runs in a 2-yard touchdown. Elk River stops the Storms' 2-point attempt. Elk River leads 14-12 with 1:13 remaining in the third quarter.

End of Third Quarter: Elk River 14, Chanhassen 12

Fourth Quarter Updates

TOUCHDOWN ELK RIVER! Carsyn Kleffman runs up the middle for an 18-yard touchdown. PAT is good. Elk River leads 21-12 with 8:10 remaining.

INTERCEPTION FOR ELK RIVER! Brecken Keoraj intercepts Ramler and returns it 69 yards to the Chanhassen 16-yard line. Elk River leads 21-12 with five minutes remaining.

TOUCHDOWN CHANHASSEN! James Kopfmann catches an 11-yard touchdown pass. PAT is good. Elk River leads 21-19 with 1:44 remaining. Chanhassen has one timeout, and the Storm will attempt to recover an onside kick.

Elk River recovers the onside kick.

Chanhassen stops Elk River, and Chanhassen will have the ball on the Elk River 49-yard line with three seconds remaining.

Elk River knocks down the Hail Mary attempt.

Final: Elk River 21, Chanhassen 19

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Jack Butler, SBLive Sports
JACK BUTLER, SBLIVE SPORTS

Jack Butler is a Regional Editor for SBLive Sports, covering Minnesota and Michigan. 

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