CLASS 3A

Stewartville 43, Annandale 13: Ayden Helder capped off a near-perfect season of quarterbacking by going 15 for 23 for 206 yards and two scores while guiding the Tigers to a state title.

Helder threw 42 touchdowns this season with just two interceptions.

Stewartville as a team was equally as fine-tuned all season, and again on Saturday. Carter Miller ran for 144 yards and two scores. The Tigers (14-0) outgained Annandale 471-190 and did not commit a turnover.

Jayce Klug had two interceptions for the Stewartville defense.

Connor Lampi ran in a score for Annandale (12-1).

It is Stewartville’s first state title after making six prior trips to state.

9-PLAYER

Nevis 14, Kingsland 12: Officiating controversy riddled the 9-player championship game.

Trailing by two with a minute to play, Kingsland had a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Kaaleem Reiland executed a quarterback sneak that was ruled on the field to be short of the goal line. The replay appeared to show the ball breaking the plane, but officials determined evidence wasn’t conclusive and stuck with the call on the field, which turned the ball over to Nevis.

Nevis — which claimed its first state title Saturday — picked up a first down on its ensuing drive and was able to run out the clock from there.

Earlier in the game, Kingsland (13-1) appeared to score a long touchdown that was called back by a rare “assisting the runner” penalty.

Kingsland outgained Nevis 348-97, but Nevis (13-0) managed to take full advantage of its opportunities. Ayomide Ogundeji and Eli Lewis each ran for scores, while Lewis also had an interception that ended a Kingsland drive in Nevis territory.

Related Articles

High school football: Centennial edges Edina in Class 6A championship, claims first state crown

Prep Bowl roundup: Hutchinson, Eden Valley-Watkins, Minneota win titles

Prep Bowl: Saturday’s football state championship game predictions

Prep Bowl: Friday’s football state championship game predictions

Prep Bowl: Four decades later, Centennial’s 1984 state finalist football team hopes this year’s Cougars finish the job