Photo by Ariana Golemis

Written By: Ryan Baker, Journalist

Championship Weekend has arrived. Each team has endured a season of ups and downs, all culminating in their attempts to reach this weekend in Madison.

The Minnesota Wind Chill are making their fourth straight appearance in the final four and could make their third straight finals appearance with a win on Thursday night. However, before any of those possibilities can happen, they will have to go through the Austin Sol.

“I am super pumped to be back at Championship Weekend,” said team leader in assists and throwing yards Gordon Larson. “It has become the standard for this program. I think there is definitely added pressure with that, but at the same time this is a stage we are used to being on at this point, so I’m not worried about anybody being afraid of the moment.”

For the first time, these two franchises will face off in an electric, gritty, and high-stakes matchup.

It’s a new challenge,” said veteran Bryan Vohnoutka. “It’s exciting to play a different opponent. That does come with a bit of extra prep work. I know everyone is watching the clock in anticipation of Thursday so we can finally face off.”

Photo by Josiah Phifer

“I am excited to play a new team with a new style of play,” said Larson. “Austin has been doubted all season, but they made it this far for a reason, and we have to have the utmost respect for them.”

Both teams finished their regular season 11-1, earning the No. 1 seed in their respective divisions. The Wind Chill are coming off a 22-20 win over Indianapolis in the Central Divisional Championship; meanwhile, the Sol are coming off a 24-23 win against the Carolina Flyers in the South Divisional Championship.

Each team had three weeks off to rest, which has mostly paid off. Minnesota isn’t facing any major or new injuries. Tristan Van de Moortele will not suit up this weekend, but Thomas Shope, who has played only two games this season, will be available. Austin has three questionable players but no other significant absences. Those three are impact players Duncan Fitzgerald, Connor DeLuna, and Brandon Dial.

One of the biggest differences between these teams is how they set themselves up in each game. Minnesota has trailed for less than 10 percent of their season. Austin is known for playing from behind and stepping up in crunch time. The Sol have completed four overtime wins this season and have been outspoken about how comfortable they are in tight games.

“Austin has certainly been the magicians of this season, always pulling off crazy upsets and comebacks; it's been fun to watch them,” Larson said. “In many ways, I think we are similar to them; neither team is ever fully out of a game and will always find a way to claw back in.”

Photo by Josiah Phifer

As collective groups, these teams are incredibly similar. They are both in the top seven in nearly every single category and within three percent of one another in completion percentage, hold rate, O-line conversion rate, huck completion percentage, and break percentage. The caveat is that Minnesota edges their opponent out in all of those areas.

The two biggest differences come from the D-line conversion rates and red zone conversion rates. The Wind Chill have a 64.65 percent D-line conversion rate, while the Sol are much lower at 58.33 percent. Austin's advantage is red zone conversion rate, at 86.26 percent, the fourth-best mark in the league. Minnesota has 83.62 percent, the 10th-best mark.

“I want us to be efficient,” Head Coach Ben Feldman stated. “The big focus for me is that we have so much speed and athleticism on our D-line that when we get our opportunities, I want to be able to convert at a very high clip. If we're able to convert 60-70 percent of our breaks in the semis, I think we will be in a good position to play in the finals.”

In terms of individuals, there is a slew of stars suiting up in the matchup. For Minnesota, look for your normal names like Will Brandt, Nate De Morgan, Larson, and Noah Coolman to drive the offense and Justin Burnett, Paul Krenik, Cameron Lacy, and Noah Hanson to produce blocks for their defense.

Photo by Josiah Phifer

“For the offense, we just have to be mentally prepared for the pressure to increase, and be ready to keep playing loose and confident,” Larson said. “I think we will have a great game plan and will win if we can execute down the stretch.”

“Our defense matches up favorably on any team in the league,” Burnett said. “Doesn’t matter who they have in their lineup; we have a coaching staff that could rival Batman for use of prep time, and the personnel to create problems all over the field no matter who is out there.”

Austin drives its production through its stars. Kyle Henke is having an MVP-caliber season alongside his brother, Mark, Evan Swiatek, Reese Bowman, and Myles Armstrong all carrying the load of scoring. Their defense is filled with a mix of veterans and young talent that are one of the most resilient groups in the league.

“They're an athletic and fast team,” said Feldman. “Kyle [Henke] is a focal point of what they do, and he's an incredible player. We’re making sure that we're prepared for what he likes to do, but they also have an incredible supporting unit around him. They're an efficient team. We're going to have to work to take the ball away. I'm confident that we have the necessary winning strategies and tactics ready to go.”

Photo by Darton Weaver

Obviously, if the stars don’t come out to play on Thursday night, the game will sway in one direction. Given the assumption that the top names will produce, it’ll come down to how others step up and impact the game.

Keep an eye on guys like college students Zach Morton, who leads the team in goals with 34, and Micah Davis, whose superb talent is coming to light, Greg Cousins, who makes the biggest catches in the biggest moments, and Lukas Ambrose, who has had a quiet season, but is still one of the most athletic and best defenders in the league.   

“These guys are phenomenal players,” said Vohnoutka. “They have earned their success; it’s been amazing to see this team go from missing the playoffs in those early years to a perennial Champ Weekend contender.”

Photo by Josiah Phifer

As little personal commentary has been provided over the three years I’ve covered this team, this is needed before the biggest weekend of the year. This Wind Chill team is the most congruent, aligned, and fit team I’ve seen over the last three years. They came into this season preaching how well this team is suited for the grueling season. Not only that, but all year they haven’t wavered from the mindset of it being about the bigger picture to reach Championship Weekend and that they have to do it as a team. In a time where players could focus on specific matchups and how they can impact the game, Minnesota is the furthest from doing that.

“This is about the team; we know how to battle as a unit, and I look forward to being in that environment again on Thursday,” Vohnoutka said.

“Obviously, you can’t ignore that Kyle Henke is having a great season, but it’s never just about shutting one person down,” Burnett said. “It’s about containing a team’s priority preferences and getting them to take options they are less comfortable/skilled with. So, we aren’t keyed in on anyone in particular.”

It’s a mindset that umbrellas matchups, game plans, and the overarching goal of the season. It’s never been about the individual for the Minnesota Wind Chill. It’s about the logo they wear on their chest. That mentality has directly influenced the program's success, and reaching the finals would give them a chance to win a second title in three years.

Photo by Daniel Cohen

With a win, Minnesota would match up with the winner of Oakland and New York in the championship.

To watch the semifinal game between the Austin Sol and Minnesota Wind Chill on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT, go here!

To buy tickets to Championship Weekend in Madison at Breese Stevens Field, go here!