The Elks use a familiar formula - with a twist.

Stop me if you have heard this one before. The Elk River Elks have another solid team behind a great running game. They put up points in bunches against almost every defense they see behind an athletic offensive line and at least four skill position players who can take it to the house on any play.   That, again, was a crucial part of the program's undefeated season and its 29-26 Prep Bowl victory over the defending 5A champion Mankato West Scarlets. The Elks Achilles heel has often been a defense that was behind the offense – leading to some spectacular offensive games and tough losses – not so much this year.   Only one team – Andover twice – scored over 29 points against the Elks, and the defense held six teams to two touchdowns or less. While the defense will not be compared to the Purple People Eaters' defense – some of whom have their names hanging in US Bank Stadium where the Elks and Scarlets capped off the 2022 Minnesota high school football season – but made it, so the offense didn't have to be perfect.   After the West defense forced an opening drive punt, it didn't look like the Elks' defense would be able to slow down the Scarlets' offense. On third and long, West running back Jackson Froderman caught a screen and wove through his blockers to pick up a first down and put his offense into the red zone. Froderman would cap off the drive with a seven yard touchdown run a few plays later.   The Elks' offense would answer. After going a bit out of character on the first drive – throwing two passes, which were both unsuccessful – Elk River got back to basics. Relying mainly on the running of running back Logan Bunker and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='112060' first='Cade' last='Osterman'] the Elks quickly pulled to within one. Elk River kicker Breanna Bernardson made Prep Bowl history, becoming the first girl to score a point in a Prep Bowl, tying the game. She would end her day a perfect three-for-three, kicking extra points.   West would move out near midfield, but the Elks' defense behind some penetration by Lucas Daleiden and later a break on the ball and pass break up by Darioh Balisidya forced a punt.   The punt had the Elks backed up inside the ten yard line, but then lightning struck. It came in the form of an inside trap and a Prep Bowl record 93 yard touchdown run by Bunker. A great pull block by Steven Hembre opened just enough of a hole for Bunker, and he did the rest.   Mankato West would quickly answer Bunker's record-breaking run. Quarterback Barton McAninch called his own number on a third and short near midfield and not only picked up the first down but broke into the open field and wasn't stopped until he was inside the five yard line. The Elk River defense made that last yard tough to get, but finally, on fourth and goal from the one, [player_tooltip player_id='368595' first='Gage' last='Schmidt'] threw a great block, and McAninch got into the end zone. The Scarlets missed the extra point – keeping the Elks in the lead.   Coming out of the locker room, West rolled the dice. Faced with a fourth and short at their own 35 yard line, McAninch would pick up the first down behind excellent blocks by Schmidt and [player_tooltip player_id='245761' first='Ty' last='Neils']. A deep ball to [player_tooltip player_id='368532' first='Jalen' last='Smith'] – who made a great adjustment on the ball - got the Scarlets into the red zone – poised to re-take the lead. They would take that lead on a short touchdown pass from McAninch to tight end [player_tooltip player_id='112185' first='Dylan' last='Williams'].   Trailing 19-14, the Elks' offense does what it does so well – beat you with athletic offensive linemen and a Three Card Monte game of where is the ball in the backfield. Gavin Schmidt picked up twenty yards, Myles Gordon picked up thirty-two yards, and [player_tooltip player_id='303687' first='Pj' last='Bono'] finished the drive with a five yard touchdown run.   After a successful two point conversion, the Elks led 22-19, but West's offense was on the move again. This time, the Elks' defense stood tall. Daleiden shot a gap and made a tackle for a short loss. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='313018' first='Yube' last='Badio'] had tight coverage on a deep cross forcing an incompletion, and on fourth and long, Gordon's tight coverage gave the ball back to the Elks' offense.   The home run hitting running game of the Elks struck again off the turnover on downs. Behind great blocks by Joel Cooper and Bunker, Bono would shake free and give the Elks a two score lead with a fifty-seven yard touchdown run.   A great pass from McAninch to Smith allowed West to convert on fourth and long. That would set up Froderman to score his second touchdown of the game.   West needed a stop, but Elk River milked the clock and picked up first down after first down – highlighted by two big plays from Osterman. First, he picked up twenty yards and then converted on a fourth and short via a quarterback. A few plays later, Bunker would ice the game with another fourth and short conversion – sealing the 29-26 victory and a state championship.

Stop me if you have heard this one before. The Elk River Elks have another solid team behind a great running game. They put up points in bunches against almost every defense they see behind an athletic offensive line and at least four skill position players who can take it to the house on any play.