Class 2A: Caledonia QB Owen King's six TDs lead rout of Pipestone

Owen King, Caledonia's exceptional quarterback, sat at the podium in the news conference after the Warriors' 57-6 dismantling of Pipestone in the Class 2A championship game, soaking in another last-time experience.

He was asked about tying a Prep Bowl record for combined touchdowns in a game — King passed for five and ran for one, equaling a 23-year-old record — and whether that held any special meaning.

"No, not really," King answered bluntly. "Coming out on top is what we came here to do, and I'm really excited we were able to accomplish that."

Nothing cocky or arrogant, just pure King, putting team concerns ahead of an amazing individual career.

In three years as the team's starting quarterback, King never lost a game, posting a gaudy 41-0 mark. Tall and strong in the pocket, he threw for 2,858 yards this season, after adding in 246 passing yards on Friday, and 45 touchdowns. He can move a little bit, too, as he showed with repeated scrambles that bought him time to find receivers downfield.

"Is he quick," Pipestone coach Clay Anderson marveled. "Any other quarterback, we probably have eight sacks in that first half. But he just made us miss, miss, miss."

Not surprisingly, King is a Mr. Football finalist and many feel he's talented enough to play at a high-Division I level. But Friday was the last time the 6-3 King will don the shoulder pads and helmet. He's signed to play basketball with South Dakota State, a commitment he made before his junior year and one from which he's never wavered.

King departs as the best quarterback in Caledonia history and, with 8,158 yards and 137 touchdowns passing, one of the best Minnesota has produced. Those numbers, however, matter little.