VERMILLION — The streak is over. 

Elk Point-Jefferson made quite the DakotaDome debut and knocked off mighty Winner, 21-14, to secure the Class 11B state championship on Friday. The heart-pounding victory snapped Winner’s 34-game winning streak and prevented it from a Class 11B 3-peat in its fourth-straight championship berth. 

“It is awesome to say we ended that 34-0 streak,” EPJ senior Benjamin Swatek said. “They have been in the Dome for the last (four) years and to end that, that’s a really cool feeling and a memory that will last forever.”

The Huskies (12-0) were playing in their first-ever state championship game and their fans relished the moment. Playing just 15 miles from home, Elk Point-Jefferson backed its team with a sea of blue and chants of “E-P-J” rattled the DakotaDome in the closing seconds. 

“I think our whole town is here,” said EPJ running back Lucas Hueser, who was named the Joe Robbie MVP. “This is the biggest crowd I think I’ve seen. So it means a lot.”

The Huskies gave their fans plenty to cheer about. Elk Point-Jefferson rushed for 253 yards on 42 carries and beat the Warriors at their own game. The Huskies controlled the line of scrimmage and created running lanes for Hueser (119 rushing yards/2 touchdowns) and Swatek (79 rushing yards).

Elk Point-Jefferson’s Lucas Hueser breaks a tackle and runs for a go-ahead 31-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter of the 11B championship game on Friday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

“It starts with the hogs up front,” Swatek said. “They do an awesome job opening up holes for our backs and obviously they did a good job.”

Hueser scored the game’s first touchdown with a short touchdown run in the first quarter. Winner’s Riley Orel busted a 69-yard touchdown run and cut the EPJ deficit to 7-6 with 4:29 left. Noah McDermott’s touchdown run stretched EPJ’s advantage to 14-6 with 2:33 before halftime. 

After a scoreless third quarter, the Warriors faced 4th and 10 at EPJ’s 35-yard line. Winner’s Blake Volmer connected with Ethan Bartels for a 35-yard touchdown strike to even it at 14-14 with 11:55 left. 

But EPJ again responded and Hueser’s 31-yard touchdown run gave it a touchdown lead with 7:53 to go.

“It was pretty sweet,” Hueser said. “Our offensive line made a huge hole. I saw it and saw a cutback lane and that’s all I had to do.” 

The Huskies still had work to do and needed their defense to come through again. That’s when Jakob Scarmon solidified their long-awaited championship. 

Winner’s Ethan Bartels catches a touchdown pass to tie the 11B championship at 14-14 early in the fourth quarter on Friday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

The Warriors methodically moved the ball down the field and Winner faced 4th and 8 at EPJ’s 11-yard line with 55 seconds left. After a timeout, Scarmon recorded his second interception of the season and picked off Volmer. 

“I saw the ball cutting back and I just broke straight for the ball,” Scarmon said. “It was a little low and I just dove into it. It was awesome.”

After the interception, the EPJ party was on and Scarmon’s teammates mobbed him. 

“I was running away and I started yelling and screaming,” Scarmon said. “It was so awesome. There were so many people coming to tackle me.” 

Winner (11-1) received 111 rushing yards on 13 carries from Orel. Aiden Barfuss added 62 rushing yards on 15 carries. The Warriors finished with 201 rushing yards on 39 carries. Volmer completed 5 of 14 passes for 66 yards. Bartels hauled in 45 receiving yards. 

Winner hasn’t lost since dropping a 21-14 decision against Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan in the 2019 Class 11B state championship game.

Ironically, Winner’s last two losses were against Big East Conference teams and by the exact same score.

But Friday’s win was special for EPJ given Winner’s 34-game winning streak and it spoiled a 3-peat. 

“Pure joy,” Swatek added. “I can’t describe it as anything else. I am so proud of this team and what we have accomplished this season. I am proud. That’s all I can say. I am proud of our coaches, proud of our community, proud of the players.”