class 1A dawson-boyd 27, Sleepy eye st. mary's 18

Recap: When Dawson-Boyd's Hunter Olson knocked away a potential Sleepy Eye St. Mary's touchdown pass on fourth down in the fourth quarter, it was cause for a defensive celebration. The Blackjacks (12-1) took over at their own 7-yard line, holding a 21-12 lead over Sleepy Eye St. Mary's (12-1). Undaunted, quarterback Joey Lee connected on a key third-down pass to Kyler Collins and later capped the long drive himself with a 38-yard touchdown run. "There's no better feeling seeing that much green in front of you," said Lee, who finished with two touchdowns rushing and two more passing.

Key of the game: Facing third-and 7-from the Dawson-Boyd 10, Lee hit Collins for a 49-yard gain to shift field possession and build momentum. "Just like that touchdown in the third quarter where Noah [Stelter] stepped up huge, Kyler Collins stepped up huge. That's what it's all about," Lee said.

Quote: "Running into a state championship game — it doesn't get much better than that." — Dawson-Boyd quarterback Joey Lee on his clinching 38-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.

One thing to know: Dawson-Boyd, located in southwest Minnesota near the South Dakota border, returns to the Prep Bowl championship game for the second time in three seasons. The Blackjacks won the 2011 Class 1A title.

David La Vaque