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DAWSON -- In a matchup between two of Minnesota's top-ranked Class A football teams, No. 1 Minneota remained unbeaten with a 28-21 road victory over No. 9 Dawson-Boyd.
The Vikings improved to 8-0 on the season, while the Blackjacks fell to 6-2 in a competitive battle between two of southwest Minnesota's top programs.
Both teams scored seven points in each of the first two quarters, sending the game into halftime tied at 14-14. Minneota then scored the only touchdown of the third quarter to take a 21-14 lead before the teams traded touchdowns in the fourth.
Dawson-Boyd struck first in the opening quarter, taking a 7-0 lead on a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown. Minneota answered with a 2-yard touchdown run by Gage Johnston, with Ian Myhre adding the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.
The Blackjacks regained the lead in the second quarter when Carson Stratmoen connected on a 53-yard touchdown pass, putting Dawson-Boyd ahead 14-7. Minneota responded before halftime, as Quinton Anderson hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tristen Sussner. Myhre's extra point tied the game at 14-14.
Minneota took its first lead in the third quarter when Sussner scored on a 3-yard run. Myhre converted the extra point to put the Vikings ahead 21-14.
Dawson-Boyd answered in the fourth quarter, with Aedyn Dahl scoring on a 2-yard run to even the score at 21-21.
The Vikings delivered the decisive score when Randy Sorensen broke loose for a 29-yard touchdown run. Myhre's extra point gave Minneota a 28-21 advantage, which held for the final margin.
Sorensen led Minneota on the ground with 88 yards on 16 carries, including the game-winning touchdown. Anderson added 48 rushing yards on six attempts, while Sussner rushed for 11 yards and a touchdown. Johnston also scored on the ground.
Sussner completed six of 13 passes for 122 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Anderson caught one pass for 10 yards and a score, while L. Esping led the Vikings with four receptions for 87 yards.
Stratmoen completed 10 of 17 passes for 106 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Dawson-Boyd. He also threw the Blackjacks' 53-yard scoring pass in the second quarter.
The matchup carried added significance given the history between the programs. Dawson-Boyd handed Minneota its last loss in 2022, edging the Vikings 22-20. Minneota has since established itself as one of Minnesota's dominant small-school programs, winning four consecutive Class A state championships.
The teams also met in last season's Section 4A championship game, where Minneota earned a 42-16 victory.
The win keeps the top-ranked Vikings unbeaten as they continue their pursuit of another state championship. Dawson-Boyd, ranked ninth entering the matchup, will look to regroup heading into the postseason.