There’s something special brewing in Elk River. If it wasn’t evident before, it was undeniable after the Elks thoroughly dismantled a very good Rogers team, 49-7.

“You can feel it,” senior running back/linebacker Sam Gibas said. “It’s a pretty amazing feeling. You feel like you just can’t lose.”

This was expected to be the Elks’ toughest test of the season. Rogers went into the game with only one loss and had shut out its past two opponents. While the Elks’ victory was not a surprise, the dominant manner in which it unfolded was.

The Elks, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, were unstoppable in the first half, scoring touchdowns on all six of their possessions. They took the opening kickoff and went 59 yards in just three plays, with Gibas breaking off tackle for a 19-yard touchdown.

Nothing special about that. The Elks’ power wing-T offense, with its deception and fakery, has developed a reputation for quick strikes. But it was Elk River’s second possession that indicated something extraordinary was at work.

Quarterback Blake Hills, who had completed just five of nine passes in the season’s first five games, hooked up with Gibas twice on the drive, once for 16 yards on third-and-13 and again for a 29-yard touchdown four plays later for a 14-0 lead.

Elk River’s ground attack averages 460 yards per game. But passing? Who knew?

“We’ve faced Rogers a lot, and we knew our receivers could get behind them,” Hills said. “I just had to put [the ball] on them and hope for the best.”

Hills, brimming with confidence after his strong start, found Gibas again for a 77-yard score the next time Elk River had the ball. For the game, the senior completed all five of his passes for 183 yards and the two touchdowns, numbers that shocked even him.

“Wow. I would never have thought that. Not at all,” he said. “We throw, like, twice a game usually.”

Elk River kept the pressure on until halftime, scoring on all six of its possessions, taking a commanding 42-0 lead into the locker room. The Elks have outscored their six opponents by a combined 274-41.

“This is a lot of fun,” coach Steve Hamilton said. “Every game has been pretty much over by halftime. It’s really helping my stomach. No worries.”

Elk River started fast and didn’t slow down until halftime, rolling up a 42-0 lead en route to a shocking 49-7 victory over rival Rogers.

The Elks, known for their relentless wing-T rushing attack, unveiled a passing attack that few outside the team knew existed. Starting quarterback Blake Hills, who had completed just five passes in the previous five games, was a perfect five for five for 192 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.

Elk River scored touchdowns all six times it had the ball before halftime. Sam Gibas scored three first quarter touchdowns for the Elks and Hills added a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Elks, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A. They improved to 6-0 and took possession of the Paddle, the traveling trophy between the rivals.

Rogers got its only score in the fourth quarter on a seven-yard run by Hunter Derouin. The Royals fell to 4-2.

Check back later for more on the game.

Key to the game: Rogers put in extra time to prepare for the Elks’ wing-T running game, only to find out the Elks can move the ball in the air. Quarterback Blake Hills completed all five of his passes, doubling his season total of completions, for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Big play: Leading 6-0, Elk River faced third-and-13 from its own 18-yard line. On his first pass of the game, Hills found Sam Gibas for 16 yards and a first down. Elk River scored four plays later and the rout was on.

The quote: “I’m not sure I want to go in yet. This is our last regular-season game at home. I might want to go out and roll around on the grass a little.” — Elk River senior running back/linebacker Sam Gibas

The Paddle returns: Elk River regained possession of The Paddle, an oar that is the traveling trophy between the two teams. The Paddle did not make the trip to the game, however. “[Rogers coach] Marc [Franz] and I decided not to bring it, just to make sure nothing happened if our kids ran over to try to get it. Rogers is a classy team. We didn’t need anything bad to happen.”

Jim Paulsen