There is one sight Elk River quarterback Cade Osterman — any of the Elk River players, for that matter — never gets tired of seeing: The backs of teammates’ jerseys slowly get smaller as they sprint downfield on yet another long touchdown run.

Big plays and long runs are a staple of the Elks’ Power-T offense, a run-heavy scheme that relies on quickness, precision and a little bit of deception to fool opponents.

It paid dividends once again Saturday afternoon as the Elks outscored Duluth East 54-37 in the Class 5A, Section 7 semifinals.

They scored touchdowns on eight of their 10 possessions, with one ending when the clock ran out at the end of the first half and the other with their only punt of the game with 2:37 remaining.

“I never get sick of seeing that,” said Osterman, a junior who ran for a touchdown and threw — yes, threw, a rarity for Elk River — for another.

“Sometimes in the huddle, we’ll call a play, smile at each other and say ‘This one’s a touchdown.’ Sometimes, I throw my hands in the air right away.”

Six of Elk River’s eight touchdowns came on runs of 32 yards or more. It was the seventh times this season the Elks scored 40 or more points in a game, their fourth time topping 50.

While Elk River (7-2) built a lead that bulged to as much as 29 points and never dipped into single digits, Duluth East refused to let the game get out of hand.

Much of that was due to the play of junior running back Austan Overdahl, whose speed and power proved difficult for Elk River to solve. He produced more than 370 combined yards rushing and receiving and scored all six of the Greyhounds’ touchdowns.

“We saw that on film,” Elk River coach Steve Hamilton said. “We knew he was a great player.”

Hamilton said his team’s inability to put the Greyhounds away was partly because of their opponent’s tenacity, but also by design.

“Our plan today was to get a lead and then try to get as many players into the game as we could,” he said.

Duluth East (4-5) scored their final touchdowns with less than five minutes remaining. By that time, Elk River was well into its bench.

“That’s why you play football, to get the chance to play,” he said. “Especially for our seniors, so that they get one last chance to pay on this field.”

Part of Hamilton’s reasoning was Elk River’s newly remodeled field and athletic complex. With brand-new turf, bleachers, press box, concession area and concourse, as well as a new ice arena and fields, the complex takes a back seat to no one.

“When you walk behind the bleachers, like [the team] did before the game, it feels like a college stadium,” Hamilton marveled.