MSHSL Prep Bowl Crowns Seven State Football Champions

Seven Minnesota high school football champions were determined Friday and Saturday at US Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.

Here is a summary of each of the title games.  Starting with Saturday action.

Class 5A

Elk River  33  Alexandria Area  24

The game was tied 24-24 at the half in the game featuring contrasting styles.  The Elks run the Power-T to perfection while the Cardinals love to fly.

Elk River rushed for 388 yards and four scores.  Alexandria Area threw for 305 yards and 3 touchdowns.  The Elks only loss this season was to Andover 47-31.

Elks had two interceptions of Alexandria passes while committing no turnovers.

There were 767 total offensive yards in the pristine conditions. Elk RIver 412 total yards, Alexandria Area 352 total yards.

Elk River wins their third title, second in last three seasons.

Class 3A

Stewartville  43 Dassel-Cokato  22

Tigers win second straight championship by jumping out to a 23-7 halftime lead.  There were 12 total passes thrown in the game.  Eight by Stewartville, four by Dassel-Cokato.

The Chargers finish their season with two losses while Stewartville runs the table.

Dassel-Cokato had no penalties in the game with 268 total yards compared to Stewartville's 348 total offensive yards.

The Tigers were 8 for 12 on third down.  Chargers 2 for 11.

D-C finished with two turnovers (fumble and interception).  Stewartville had no turnovers.

The Tigers lost a title game in 1977 to Granite Falls 44-6 before their back-to-back titles the past two seasons.

9-Player Championship

Fertile-Beltrami Falcons 20  Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots  8

This game was tied 0-0 at the half.

Falcons had 314 total yards, Patriots 204.  Fertile-Beltrami was 6 of 12 on third down conversions while Hills-Beaver Creek converted 3 of 9,  Both teams were 1 for 4 on fourth down conversion attempts.

HBC had 4 turnovers, FB finished with one fumble lost.

Falcons win their first championship after a perfect season.  They fell in 2021 title tilt to Leroy-Ostrander.

Class 6A

Maple Grove Crimson  28  Minnetonka Skippers  21

Crimson win second title (2022), were second in 2021.  Minnetonka committed 3 turnovers, Maple Grove 1.

Total yardage was 384 to 265 in favor of Crimson who finish the season undefeated.

Both teams were 4 of 10 in third down conversions.  Difference in game was a 7-0 advantage in points off turnovers.

Class 2A

Jackson County Central Huskies  42 Staples-Motley  Cardinals  26

Huskies win their first title.  They finished second in Class 3A in 1997 and 2015.

JCC led 36-20 at the half and outscore Staples-Motley 16-6 in points off turnovers.

Total yardage was 388 to 251 in favor of Huskies who go undefeated this season.

Class 4A

Becker Bulldogs  24  Totino-Grace Eagles  8

Becker took a 14-0 lead at the half.  They scored off a turnover and outgained the Eagles 283 to 152.

Both teams were woeful converting third downs.  Totino-Grace was 0 for 10, Becker 2 for 10.

Bulldogs go undefeated and win their second title.  They were champions in Class 3A in 2005 and placed second in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 1990 (Class C).

Class 1A

Minneota Vikings  70  Springfield Tigers 20

Minneota goes undefeated and wins third straight Class A title as Ryan Meagher sets prep bowl record with 6 rushing touchdowns (tied it last year with 5) as Vikings capture third straight championship and 10th overall.

Minneota had back to back to back titles in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

Meagher finished the game with 290 yards rushing on 22 carries.  Minneota has 10 touchdowns in the game and was 6 for 6 in third down conversions while Springfield went 3 for 10.

Nine touchdowns on offense and a pick six for the Vikings.