Elks shut out by Monticello in Section 7-5A championship
The No. 2-seeded Elk River football team saw its season come to an end with a 23-0 loss to top-seeded Monticello in the Section 7-5A championship Friday, Nov. 6, in Monticello. In a game in which both teams controlled the ball for extended stretches and scoring opportunities were limited, two Elk River turnovers proved costly against a talented Monticello team. The shutout was Elk River’s first in more than 14 years, dating back to a September 2012 loss to Totino-Grace. Monticello opened the scoring on its first possession, marching 74 yards in 12 plays before Max Lofgren scored on a 13-yard run with 6:26 remaining in the first quarter. Carson Deibele ran in the two-point conversion to give the Magic an 8-0 lead. Elk River responded with a promising drive, moving 51 yards in 12 plays to the Monticello 21-yard line as the first quarter ended. However, a fumble on the first play of the second quarter ended the threat, giving the Magic possession at its own 13. Monticello capitalized, driving 87 yards in 10 plays and scoring on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Deibele to Johnny Moore with 7:12 remaining in the half. Deibele and Moore connected again on
