The Wayzata Trojans took the field Thursday night with the energy of a new season and the weight of recent history. The program has weathered ups and downs the past two years — finishing 2–7 in 2023 before bouncing back to 4–5 in 2024, a campaign highlighted by a gritty late-season win at Anoka. That backdrop set the stage for a marquee opener against Andover, one of the state’s top Class 5A programs, in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
The game began with plenty of promise. The Huskies struck first, punching in a one-yard score from quarterback Joseph Mapson late in the first quarter to take a 10–0 lead. But Wayzata answered quickly. After a spirited kickoff return by Sam Boo, quarterback Thor Soukup dropped back and hit Jackson Brown in the end zone for the Trojans’ first touchdown of the season. The student section roared as Wayzata cut the margin to 10–6 at the end of the quarter.
Soukup’s arm was a storyline all night. The senior unleashed deep throws with ease, hitting receivers in stride on attempts that traveled 50 yards through the air. Several of those passes had the crowd gasping, even when they slipped through the hands of intended targets. The connection wasn’t always there, but the potential was unmistakable — and something Trojan fans can look forward to as the season progresses.
From there, the night became a showcase for Mapson. The Andover senior showed both speed and power, including a stunning 78-yard dash on the second play of the third quarter that stretched the Huskies’ lead to 24–6. He would finish with five rushing touchdowns and one passing score, powering an Andover offense that piled up nearly 300 yards on the ground.
Soukup kept battling, throwing for two touchdowns and adding a rushing score to keep the Trojans’ sideline engaged. Wayzata tacked on points late, finding rhythm in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was too much to overcome.
The final score:
- Andover 44 (10 | 7 | 7 | 20)
- Wayzata 20 (6 | 0 | 0 | 14)
While the opener ended in defeat, there were bright spots for the Trojans — Soukup’s arm strength, Brown’s playmaking, and Boo’s spark on special teams all gave the home crowd reason to believe. And though the program has endured tough seasons in recent years, Thursday’s effort showed a team still fighting, still competing, and still playing for community pride.
Wayzata drops to 0–1 but showed promise against one of the state’s best. The road ahead is long, and Trojan fans know better than anyone that seasons are measured in how a team responds.
Next Up, Edina
The Trojans won’t have long to dwell on the opener. Wayzata heads back under the lights Friday night at 7:00 p.m.when they travel to face Edina at Kuhlman Stadium. The Hornets are coming off a commanding 49–21 win over Hopkins, a game where they piled up more than 200 yards passing and another 200 rushing to put it away early.
It means the Trojans will step into a charged road atmosphere against an opponent that has shown the ability to score in bunches. For Wayzata, the challenge is clear: tighten up defensively, build on the flashes from Thor Soukup’s arm and the special teams spark from Sam Boo, and carry that fight into one of the toughest venues in the Metro.
