Elk River has used misdirection all season in its rushing attack, confusing opponents with one or more fake handoffs on any given play.

The Elks executed that rushing game to the tune of eight touchdowns Saturday, defeating Monticello 62-33 in the Class 5A, Section 6 semifinals.

Senior Nick Rice rushed for four touchdown and teammates Blake Hills and Sam Gibas, both seniors, each rushed for two as Elk River (9-0) opened up the middle of Monticello’s defense with strong off-tackle runs early in the game.

“That’s our bread and butter,” Rice said. “We work on it every day, and we just stayed after it today.”

Rice was the primary beneficiary of Elk River’s rushing success, rushing up the middle for a 65-yard touchdown in the first quarter and adding a 5-yard scoring run in the second. Rice scored on a 34-yard rush in the third and added a 70-yarder in the fourth, also adding a 59-yard run in the second half. He finished with 17 carries for 324 yards.

Monticello (7-3) trailed by just 24-15 at halftime, however, thanks quarterback Nick Zwack and wide receiver Jack Hoaby. Zwack found Hoaby for a 34-yard score on fourth-and-long in the first quarter and a 12-yard score in the closing seconds of the first half.

The pair finished with four touchdowns as Monticello scored the most points of any Elk River opponent this season.

“They can play pitch and catch as good as anybody,” Monticello coach Jason Telecky said.

NATE GOTLIEB

Nick Rice rushed for four touchdowns, one in each quarter, as top-seeded Elk River defeated Monticello 62-33 in the Class 5A, Section 6 semifinals.

Rice scored on runs of 70, 65, 34 and 5 yards and also added a 59-yard rush in the third quarter of the game played Saturday at Elk River. Blake Hills and Sam Gibas each rushed for two scores for Elk River (9-0), ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press Class 5A poll.

Monticello's Nick Zwack threw four touchdown passes to Jack Hoaby, including a 34-yarder on fourth-and-long in the first quarter. Casey Chiodo added a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter for the Magic (7-3), who scored the most points of any Elk River opponent this season.

Elk River will face second-seeded St. Michael Albertville (8-1) in the section final Friday at Buffalo High School.

Check back later for more on the game.