Border West Routs Wabasso 28-6 in State Opener

Wabasso's five turnovers and three empty red zone trips doomed its Class Nine-Player state tournament opener against Border West.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Football

Border West Routs Wabasso 28-6 in State Opener

Border West defeated Wabasso 28-6 in the opening round of the Class Nine-Player Football State Tournament on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Wabasso committed five turnovers and failed to score on three trips inside the red zone.

Why it matters

The loss ends Wabasso's tournament run in its first game and shows how turnovers and missed scoring chances can decide a playoff contest. Border West advances as the second seed in the south bracket.

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The players

Border West

Border West is a Minnesota high school football program that won the game and advanced as the second seed in the south bracket.

Wabasso

Wabasso is a Minnesota high school football program that lost the opener as the third seed in the south bracket.

The details

Dylan Groebner rushed for a 61-yard touchdown on Border West's first drive, and Owen Deal later threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Teague Nachbor. Wabasso's only points came on a quarterback sneak by Drew Kemp, and coach Joe Kemp cited the turnovers and failed red zone trips as the reasons for the loss.

Thursday, November 12, 2026: Border West defeats Wabasso 28-6 in the opening round of the Class Nine-Player Football State Tournament.

Season Trajectory

Wabasso's first-round exit removes it from the Class Nine-Player bracket while Border West moves on as the second seed in the south. The result reshapes the south bracket's remaining path to the state championship.

Border West now faces the next round of the south bracket as the second seed, while Wabasso's season ends with this loss. Fantasy and roster implications are limited to the teams involved in this result.

The takeaway

Turnovers and missed red zone opportunities were the difference in this game, a reminder that efficiency in close scoring areas often decides postseason outcomes. Teams can prioritize ball security and finishing drives in the red zone during practice.