VERMILLION — Levi Veskrna was Brandon Valley’s workhorse running back one last time. 

The Lynx senior running back buttoned up his brilliant high school football career in record fashion, setting Class 11AAA title game records for rushing attempts (39) and rushing yards (260). He also rushed for three touchdowns in the 34-27 win over Sioux Falls Lincoln on Saturday at the DakotaDome.  

Veskrna broke his own rushing attempts record (34) from last season and surpassed Lincoln’s Caden Quintanilla record (244) from 2013. He also set the single-season Class 11AAA record for touchdowns with 34. 

But Veskrna went as a state champ, and that’s what matters to him the most. 

“The state championship and being with the team especially is the thing that means the most to me,” said Veskrna, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound hard-nosed running back. 

Veskrna was named the Class 11AAA title game’s Outstanding Back and Joe Robbie MVP. Veskrna, an all-state running back, was featured plenty in his final career in a Lynx jersey. On the game’s opening drive, Veskrna recorded all 93 yards and capped off the drive with a two-yard run. 

Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said it was by design to give Veskrna a heavy dosage of running plays.  

“That was by design and we just know we can trust it. Some people call it child abuse,” Christensen joked. “But at the same time he goes ‘Nope, give it to me again.’ ” 

Veskrna broke multiple Brandon Valley rushing records during his Lynx career, and Christensen said they were a result of Veskrna’s traits as a running back. 

“He is a complete running back of balance and strength and vision and patience and grit,” Christensen said. “He is among the toughest people I have ever met. There’s a whole bunch of people who wouldn’t sign up for one carry against that team — let alone 39 of them.”

Veskrna was especially complimentary of his offensive line after the record-breaking game. The Lynx line is headlined by future Iowa Hawkeye Hudson Parliament, a 6-foot-4, 325-pound senior. Brandon Valley’s Austin Dowd, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior, is a major college football prospect and was a key blocker. 

“All the yards and everything I have ever gotten — all those awards — I give them all the credit,” Veskrna said. “They’re my guys.”

Veskrna also used his wrestling background to churn out the hard yards during his high school career. Veskrna, who finished fourth in the 165-pound Class A division in 2025, credits his wrestling background for running style. 

He also worked extremely hard in the offseason to help the Lynx win the Class 11AAA state championship, their first since 2020. 

“In the summer I was going to Bauer’s elite and working,” Veskrna said. “I was also doing hill runs and just getting in shape, knowing it’s not for me. It’s for the team. I am doing this for the team and not for myself.”

Up next, Veskrna will start wrestling practice on Monday. As for next year, Veskrna will take his hard-nosed running style to the University of Sioux Falls. 

“Me and (Jefferson running back) Daevion Simonsen,” Veskrna said. “We are going to go out there and run the rock hard.”