Elk River Claims Third State Title with Win over Alexandria

MINNEAPOLIS — In a thrilling showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Elk River Elks conquered the Alexandria Cardinals with a final score of 33-24 in the 2024 MSHSL Class 5A Prep Bowl on Saturday. This victory marks Elk River’s third state championship, adding to titles they previously won in 2016 and 2022.

From the start, the contrasting styles of the two teams were evident. Elk River, known for its Wing-T offense, focused on a run-heavy strategy, while Alexandria showcased a more aerial attack with four to five wide receivers frequently on the field. The first half saw a remarkable exchange of scoring, with both teams managing to complete quick touchdown drives. At halftime, they were tied at 24.

Elk River made the necessary adjustments in the second half, dominating play with two impressive touchdown drives that each lasted around nine minutes. Head coach Steve Hamilton anticipated a war of attrition, betting that the Alexandria players would tire out, particularly defensive linemen Jack Morrissette and Evan Zabel. “We weren’t trying to deceive tonight,” Hamilton noted. “It was a lot of going right at them play after play.”

Senior running back Gavin Schmidt expressed confidence in his team’s conditioning, stating, “When we get rolling like that, the confidence goes through the roof.” Meanwhile, quarterback and safety Levi Harris made key contributions, including an interception that paved the way for one of the long drives.

Despite Alexandria’s potent offense, which saw quarterback Chase Thompson throw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, they struggled to maintain possession in the second half, holding the ball for just four minutes. Head coach Mike Empting acknowledged the challenge, mentioning, “The margin for error when you play Elk River is very fine.”

This championship triumph comes on the heels of a 4-7 season for Elk River, illustrating that rebuilding efforts can lead to great success. Schmidt reflected on the journey, sharing, “Winning a state championship doesn’t just happen. It’s a hard thing to do. I can’t begin to explain how excited and happy I am about this.”

As Elk River celebrates this significant achievement, fans and players alike are already looking forward to the future, reminded that hard work and grit can lead to unexpected victories.