Elk River built a big halftime lead Friday against Alexandria, bumbled a bit in the second half, then cemented victory with a nine-play, 62-yard fourth-quarter drive that clinched a 44-34 victory at Elk River.
The final drive ended with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Levi Harris.
Brecken Keoraj, who had rushed for two touchdowns and more than 100 yards in the first half, was the defensive hero for Elk River in the second half, intercepting a pass by Alexandria quarterback Chase Thompson to halt an Alexandria drive that could have cut the Elk River lead to single digits.
Harris scored three times for Elk River, once on a 48-yard punt return.
Chase Thompson produced three touchdowns for Alexandria, running for two and passing for another.
Elk River, ranked sixth in Class 5A, improved to 7-1. Alexandria, down to third in Class 5A after being No. 1 before losing to Moorhead last Friday, fell to 6-2.
