They play a pretty good brand of small-school football in southwest Minnesota, especially the area near Highway 75 — just a long touchdown pass (or two) from the South Dakota border. Seven-time state champion Minneota (the Vikings’ most recent titles came in 2014, 2015 and 2017) is among the Class 1A standard bearers. So, too, to a lesser extent, is Dawson-Boyd, Minneota’s neighbor to the north which won the Class 1A title in 2011 and finished second in 2013 and 2014.
About 28 miles separate the schools, whose football teams are unbeaten and ranked in the top four in Class 1A as they approach Thursday’s regular-season-ending showdown.
The No. 4 Blackjacks needed a phenomenal performance from senior quarterback Micah Olson to eke out a 28-25 win against Lac qui Parle Valley last Friday. Olson rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns, and completed 5 of 9 passes for 86 yard and another TD to spearhead Dawson-Boyd's victory.
Minneota, in an odd coincidence, has allowed six points in each of its five games this fall. The No. 3 Vikings are coming off a 37-6 triumph over Russell-Tyler-Ruthton on Nov. 6 in which senior quarterback Jacob Hennen threw for 242 yard and two TDs and ran for another touchdown.