Recap: Chatfield excelled on both sides of the ball for the first three quarters. Gophers’ running back Jacob Neis surpassed 100 yards rushing in the second quarter on his way to a game-high total of 233. “Our line punished their line and linebackers, and holes just opened up,” Neis said. How dominant was the defense? Hawley’s 72-yard third quarter touchdown pass was almost double its overall yards gained to that point. Chatfield allowed a total of just one yard rushing. A late Hawley comeback was the only glitch in Chatfield’s otherwise dominant performance.

Key of the game: Down 28-7 after three quarters, Hawley clawed back into the game and trailed 34-21 in the fourth quarter. Then Neis took off on a first down touchdown run of 49 to seal the outcome. “There was a sense of urgency,” Neis said. “We had to keep on taking it to them.”

Quote: “It brings us all together. They are more people at these games then there have been all year.” — Jacob Neis, on the community rallying around the football team

One thing to know: Chatfield advances to the Prep Bowl championship game on Nov. 29, its first since being crowned the 1996 Class C champion. Worth noting: The Gophers beat Hawley for the title.

DAVID LA VAQUE