VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) - Ryan Knutson rushed for 259 yards and Deubrook Area held off a late rally to beat Howard 25-22 Thursday in the South Dakota 9AA football championship game.

Knutson had 244 yards and touchdown runs of 62 and 63 yards in the first half as the Dolphins (12-0) raced out to a 25-6 lead.

The Dolphins had 395 totals yards, including 100 yards passing by Taylor Olsen.

Howard (9-3) made a game of it in the second half. Evan Donahue, who had 84 yards rushing and two TDs, scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter and Steve Larsen caught an 11-yard TD pass from Landon Leible with 2 minutes left.

Howard roughed the punter with 30 seconds left to end its chance for a last-second win.

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