Holdingford called on every shred of its resiliency to win the Class 2A Prep Bowl, forcing overtime on the game’s final play and outlasting BOLD in two extra sessions.

BOLD took a 6-0 lead with 3:04 to play but the Huskers fought back. Senior quarterback Austin Gerads scrambled for a fourth-down touchdown with no time remaining in regulation.

Teammate Nathan Brinker scored in the first overtime and threw a 8-yard touchdown pass to a diving Gerads in the second overtime.

“He can do whatever we ask him,” Gerads said of Brinker, the Huskers’ part-time offensive lineman, running back and linebacker.

The Huskers defense forced a fumble on BOLD’s final overtime chance and earned the program’s first state title since 1981.

Holdingford outlasted BOLD 20-18 in the Class 2A Prep Bowl championship game.

The teams played in the first double-overtime Prep Bowl game since 1998.

Austin Gerads caught a touchdown pass from Nathan Brinker and Matt Messman ran for the two-point conversion to start the second overtime.

BOLD’s chance to answer ended with a fumble on the Warriors' conversion attempt.

BOLD scored first in overtime but its extra point hit the upright. Holdingford answered with a touchdown but failed on a two-point run attempt.

In regulation time, Holdingford quarterback Austin Gerads scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown run to tie the 6-6 with no time remaining. BOLD blocked the point-after attempt to force overtime.

BOLD used a 17-play scoring drive in the fourth quarter to take a 6-0 lead. Quarterback Lane Stadther and receiver Nick Kubesh connected twice for third-down receptions to prolong the drive.

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Key of the game: Roll right, come back left. The two biggest touchdowns of Holdingford’s victory began the same way: Gerads’ 10-yard touchdown scramble with no time remaining and his 8-yard scoring pass from Brinker in the second overtime.

The Quote: “It’s definitely a Cinderella season. We turned ourselves around and I’m still floating on air. It’s an awesome feeling.” Brinker, whose team lost two of its first three games to start the season.

One thing to know: BOLD defeated Hawley and Caledonia — the top teams in Class 2A — in consecutive state tournament games. Those victories magnified the Warriors’ disappointment. “When you set your goals high and come so close – it’s tough to swallow,” Warriors coach Steve Solem said.

DAVID LA VAQUE