Class 5A Elk River 21, Chanhassen 19 The Elks ran for 240 yards on a day where they attempted just two passes in a battle of the last two Class 5A champions. Brecken Keoraj led the Elks with 73 yards on the ground, while Carsyn Kleffman and Levi Harris each found the end zone. All in all, it was a strong defensive performance for the defending champion Storm, who couldn’t quite get enough offense of their own. Chanhassen quarterback Nathan Ramler threw for 282 yards — 106 of which went to Ty Jensen — and two scores, but he was also picked off twice, the first of which was returned by Ben Hickman for a touchdown to put Elk River up 7-6 in the second quarter. Kleffman’s 17-yard run put the Elks up 21-12 in the fourth. Ramler found James Kopfmann for an 8-yard scoring strike with 1:44 to play, but Chanhassen couldn’t convert the ensuing onside kick and Elk River was able to run out most of the remaining clock to end the Storm’s title defense. Elk River will face Owatonna or Alexandria in the Class 5A final at 4 p.m. on Nov. 23. Class 6A Maple Grove 26, Shakopee 14 Shakopee defensive back Brody Miller intercepted a Maple Grove pass and returned it all the way to the Crimson’s 1-yard line. A play later, TJ Clark made his way into the end zone for a rushing touchdown and the Sabers claimed a 14-13 advantage over Maple Grove in the third quarter. The upset was on. And then it was off — Crimson star running back Charles Langama made sure of that. The senior rushed for 66 yards on Maple Grove’s ensuing drive, capped by a 40-yard sprint to the end zone to put Maple Grove back on top. On Maple Grove’s next possession, he did nearly the same, this time going 43 yards for a score to effectively put the game on ice midway through the final frame. On a night when Crimson quarterback Kaden Harney went 1 for 12 through the air and was picked off three times by the Sabers (10-2), Langama rushed 18 times for 198 yards and four touchdowns to carry Maple Grove into the Prep Bowl. Maple Grove’s defense was spectacular in the win, holding the Sabers to just 103 yards of total offense. Shakopee also lost a pair of fumbles. The Crimson will meet Minnetonka for the Class 6A crown at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22. Maple Grove beat the Skippers 31-21 in mid-October. Maple Grove (12-0) is one win from its second title in a three-year span. Class 2A Jackson County Central 34, Kimball Area 26 Kimball took a 26-20 lead on a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Brandon Henkemeyer with just more than nine minutes to play. But Jackson County Central answered almost immediately, with Ben Dahlin going 53 yards for a rushing score to knot the contest. Then, with just under four minutes to play, Gage Johnson scored his third rushing touchdown of the game — this one from 18 yards out — to lift Jackson County Central to victory. Kimball’s last-gasp attempt to drive down to tie the contest was snuffed out by a Dahlin interception on 4th and 10. Dahlin finished with 88 yards on the ground, adding 33 more receiving, while Clay Malchow ran 19 times for 117 yards and a score. Jackson County Central dominated the time of possession, holding the ball more than 30 minutes on a day where it went 3 for 3 on 4th-down conversions. Staples-Motley 36, Chatfield 24 For just the second time in program history — and first since 1988 — Staples-Motley will play for a state title. The Cardinals (12-0) will meet Jackson County Central in the Class 2A Prep Bowl at 4 p.m. on Nov. 22. Colbe Tappe ran for 170 yards and tallied four touchdowns — three rushing and one receiving — while Eli Rutten was 13 for 19 through the air for 195 yards and two scores, and Alex Schultz had 111 yards receiving on a night where Staples-Motley never punted. Turner Beachy led Staples-Motley with six tackles, while also logging a pass break up and an interception. Ben Carrier had 103 yards and a touchdown on the ground for Chatfield to go with two catches for 85 yards and a score receiving. Chatfield (11-1) was attempting to reach its third Prep Bowl in a span of four seasons. Related Articles High School Sports | High school football: A big run, and a couple big kicks, lead Totino-Grace past Orono and into Class 4A title game High School Sports | High school football: Saturday’s state semifinal predictions High School Sports | High school football: Anoka falls to Minnetonka 48-27 in Class 6A semifinal High School Sports | State football roundup: Becker cruises into Class 4A final High School Sports | High school girls swim and dive state meet preview