DeLaSalle's King savoring final football season

DeLaSalle running back James King Jr. was one of the last players to leave the field after a 42-6 victory Friday at St. Anthony.

As a senior, he is fully aware that his high school career is nearing it's end, and he's determined to enjoy every moment of the season.

"When I got here, it seemed like we were going to win a bunch of state championships, but now here I am, in my senior year, and we haven't done it," said the 5-9, 200 pound King, who took over as the Islanders' top running back this season.

So far, two Islanders — quarterback Billy Hart and highly-recruited lineman Drayton Carlberg — have dominated DeLaSalle coverage. But it's players like King, with his prototypical running back's body, which houses a combination of power and elusiveness, have set DeLaSalle apart.

"They have so many great athletes that it's impossible to match up with them," said St. Anthony coach Todd Niklaus.

As he stood under the lights in a quickly-emptying stadium, King said that he doesn't care who gets the credit. He just want the victories.

"It's our season," he said. "Everyone on this team is going to do everything they can to win a championship. "

Junior forward Callen Knutson scored two goals in a 2-1 victory over Washburn, which was then leading the conference. The victory avenged an earlier 1-0 loss to the Millers, who are ranked No. 1 in Class 1A.

Knutson played a key role in a 2-1 victory over South on Saturday, taking the ball 60 yards downfield to set up the game-winning goal with six seconds left, giving Southwest its first season-sweep of South since 2010.

Since 2001, the Lakers have won 10 conference titles, six in the past eight years. They will clinch at least a tie for the conference championship if they beat or tie Minneapolis Roosevelt on Thursday.

As kickers go, Edina senior Patrick LeCorre has had one of the most notable careers in recent history.

LeCorre first gained attention when he made a game-winning field goal as time ran out — the first field goal of his career — in a 2011 playoff victory over Hopkins.