VERMILLION — Warner’s elusive state football championship was one for the record books. 

The Monarchs outlasted Deubrook Area, 76-54, in a wildly entertaining Class 9A state football championship game Thursday at the DakotaDome. 

The back-and-forth affair, which was full of momentum swings and big plays, broke the state record for most combined points in a state championship game. Warner’s 76 points tied Kimball’s 2001 state record for most points scored in a state championship. 

“I didn’t know we could score that much in a day,” Warner coach Kerwin Hoellein said. “But our offense before this game had scored 500 points on the season. So our kids can score points and we had to do what we had to do today.”

For the Monarchs (12-0), they also got the proverbial monkey off their back. The Monarchs entered Thursday with a 0-4 record in state football championships, including last season’s loss against Gregory. 

Warner flipped the script and captured its elusive state championship.  

“It feels great,” Warner senior Charlie Dulany said. “We thought we were going to get it last year. We didn’t, but coming in here, graduating 11 seniors, nobody really thought we were going to get here.”

On Thursday, the Monarchs and Dolphins (8-4) put on a show. Warner erupted for 642 total yards — 454 rushing and 188 passing. Joe Robbie MVP Hunter Cramer powered Warner with 211 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Jesiah Baum added 153 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Delany scored four rushing touchdowns and 89 yards rushing. 

Cramer, who was also the Outstanding Back, added 188 passing yards and one touchdown. 

Warner also controlled the time of possession, holding the ball for just over 35 minutes. 

“That was a weird looking game,” Cramer said. “There were like 20 points in the first quarter. I thought it was the fourth quarter. I am not going to lie, I was so gassed. That was a high-scoring game. It was a different game, but we came out on top.”

The Dolphins, who were the No. 7 seed and were making their first DakotaDome berth since 2012, didn't seem fazed by the bright lights. In fact, multiple Deubrook Area players shined. 

Gavin Landmark rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns, while passing for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Jacob Jorenby and JP Rogness hauled in touchdown receptions. 

Rogness dazzled fans in the return game, finishing with two kickoff returns and one punt return for a score. 

“They are great, great players,” Cramer said. “They had a lot of big plays. I have to give them credit, too.” 

The record-setting affair was off and running in the first quarter. Rogness’ kickoff return for a score capped off a 22-21 Deubrook Area lead. The first 12 minutes also included a Jorenby 73-yard pick-six.

The teams continued scoring at will in the second quarter. Landmark had a 52-yard TD run, while Vomacka hit Rogness for a 41-yard TD reception. 

Cramer’s TD run evened the score at 36-36 with 2:37 before halftime. On the ensuing kickoff, Warner recovered a squib kick and Cramer’s TD made it 42-36. 

The halftime score might have resembled a final result on most games, but the teams had 24 minutes left to play. 

“It was crazy,” Hoellein said. “We just kept answering the bell. We certainly didn’t think our special teams would play like that today, but they have athletes on their team and they exposed us a little bit. But I was proud of our kids for not giving up.” 

In the third quarter, Dulany’s TD run made it 50-36. Warner popped up the ensuing kickoff, it took a Monarch bounce and they recovered at Deubrook Area’s 30. Dulany added another touchdown for a 56-36 advantage. 

But no matter, because Rogness was in the end zone just 13 seconds later. Rogness returned the ensuing kickoff for a score, slicing the deficit to 56-42 with seven minutes left. 

After forcing a rare punt, Rogness returned a punt for a score and Deubrook Area was within 56-48 with 4:49 left. 

“It was intense. Very intense,” Dulany said about the game. “Exhausting and to be honest, a little emotionally damaging. We gave up a lot of big plays. I am not going to lie.”

But the Monarchs began to wear down the Dolphins, using a long scoring drive to help seal it. Dulany’s TD run made it 62-48 with 3:37 left in the third quarter. 

Cramer’s TD run capped off an eight-minute drive that covered the third and fourth quarters, pushing Warner ahead 69-48 with 4:25 left. 

“We knew we had to hold onto the ball and just keep going,” Dulany said. “Don’t let the exhaustion get the best of you and just run out that clock and we knew we had ourselves a ring.”

The scoring, however, wasn’t done. Cramer intercepted a Deubrook Area pass and Baum rumbled for a touchdown, making it 76-48. In the final seconds, Vomacka hit Jorenby for a 13-yard TD and the final points of an instant classic. 

The Monarchs, who also had runner-up finishes in 2012, ‘16, ‘20 and ‘22, relished the championship moment as the clock ran out. 

“You saw that sea of blue up there,” said Hoellein, gesturing to the Warner fans. “They’ve been here a few times and it was nice to hear that volume coming from the fans. It’s kind of like Seattle and the Sixth Man. It was nice to have them up there.”