SAM GIBAS
Elk River • football
Gibas, a senior running back and outside linebacker, felt uncommonly good going into the Elks' clash with Class 5A, No. 1-ranked St. Michael-Albertville on Friday. Though Elk River had lost four consecutive times to the Knights, Gibas had an inkling this time would be different.
"Our seniors knew what we needed to do," Gibas said.
Elk River made a big statement in routing St. Michael-Albertville 43-6, with Gibas was in the thick of it on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns; on defense he came up with six tackles, including two for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
Elks coach Steve Hamilton called Gibas "the best player on the field. He's the heart and soul of the defense and relentless as a running back."
Gibas acknowledged that the thoroughness of the victory surprised him.
"It does stun me a little bit, but when you know how much time we put in and how hard we worked for this game, it's not surprising that we won," he said. "This is the biggest victory I've ever had, for sure."
TANNER TEIGE
Big Lake • football
The senior running back did nearly everything in the Hornets' 34-25 victory over North Branch. He accounted for 363 all-purpose yards — 294 rushing, 51 on returns, 18 receiving — and scored five touchdowns.
