Key of the game: Minnetonka overcame its mistakes. Quarterback Braden Sikes had an uneven performance, but he made big plays down the stretch, including two completions on the final drive to move the Skippers into field-goal range. Minnetonka won despite 11 penalties and three fumbles.
Quote: "Coach Nelson is getting old. We gotta make things easier on him." — Skippers senior running back Vance Barnes, laughing.
One thing to know: Going into the game, Becker coach Dwight Lundeen and Minnetonka coach Dave Nelson had a combined 552 victories in 73 years of coaching. They also have three state titles between them — Lundeen won the Class 3A title at Becker in 2005 and Nelson won at Blaine in 1988 and Minnetonka in 2004.
JIM PAULSEN
