GRAND FORKS - In 2006, Kirby Knudtson was a little-used sophomore watching from the sideline as his older brother K.C. helped Watford City win the Class AA state title game.

He longed for a chance to do the same someday, and on Saturday the Watford City senior got it. And like K.C., Kirby helped the Wolves to another state title.

The younger Knudtson rushed for 100 yards, caught three passes for another 92 and scored three touchdowns as third-ranked Watford City downed No. 1 Valley City 40-20 at the Alerus Center for its ninth state crown.

"It's an awesome feeling. This is something you hope for when the season starts," said Knudtson, a 160-pound tailback. "I waited a long time for a chance like this and I'm glad that I could help my team win. It took a total team effort today. Everybody stepped up."

Knudtson ran for 92 yards and two scores in a dominant second half by the Wolves, who outscored the Hi-Liners 27-6 after the intermission. He handled the ball on 20 of Watford City's first 31 second-half plays.

"Kirby's a gamer. He's been that way all season long," said Watford City coach Fred Fridley, whose team improved to 11-1 and extended its winning streak to 10 games. "He plays hard on every down. He sure carried the load for us in the second half."

Knudtson picked up 30 yards in a 66-yard TD drive that put the Wolves up 19-14 with 8:12 left in the third quarter. Quarterback Kevin Sanford finished the march with a 1-yard sneak.

Two Watford City possessions later, the Wolves used a little trickery to extend their lead to 11. On first down from the Valley City 39, Knudtson took the ball from Sanford on a sweep and then handed it off to Trey Jacobson going the other way. Jacobson then stopped and found tight end Justin Flatland downfield for a 39-yard touchdown.

After a Valley City three-and-out, Knudtson carried six times for 30 yards in a 68-yard TD drive that he capped off with a 3-yard run. Sanford and wide receiver Seth Dougherty highlighted the drive with a 38-yard connection to the Valley City 30.

Later, Knudtson accounted for every yard in a nine-play, 30-yard scoring march. His third touchdown of the day came from a yard out with 2:40 left in the contest.

"Our offensive line came out in the second half and took control," Knudtson said. "At halftime, we talked about how we had only 24 minutes left in the season. We wanted to make it the best 24 minutes of the year."

Valley City (11-1), which sought its first football state title since 1936, led 14-13 after a wild first half.

The Hi-Liners took the opening kickoff and marched 63 yards to paydirt, scoring on Derek Elliott's 10-yard run with 7:32 left in the first quarter.

The Wolves were quick to answer. Four plays after the kickoff, Sanford, with three Valley City defenders closing in, uncorked a deep pass to Knudtson, who was running free behind the Hi-Liners' secondary. Knudtson made the catch near the Valley City 15 and then darted into the end zone to complete a 59-yard scoring play to put the Wolves on top 7-6.

The Hi-Liners were on the move again on their next possession, but disaster struck. Derek Kohler fumbled the exchange from quarterback Marc DeLorme on the Wolves' 32, and Watford City linebacker Max Johnson scooped up the ball on the 34 and went the distance for the score.

Flatland, who also plays defensive end, said the Wolves were more committed to stopping the run in the second half.

"We made adjustments, like moving a safety up to help out," he said. "We did a better job filling the gaps and making sure their backs didn't cut back. Running is what they do best, and we didn't give them anything after halftime."

Fridley has coached all nine state title teams.

"I think the older I get, the sweeter this gets," he said. "This is a great group of kids. This game is a tribute to their work ethic. They improved every week."

Elliott, who finished with 117 yards, was named Class AA senior athlete of the year.

Valley City 6 8 0 6 - 20

Watford City 13 0 12 15 - 40

First Quarter

VC “ Derek Elliott 10 run (run failed), 7:32

WC “ Kirby Knudtson 59 pass from Kevin Sanford (Justin Flatland kick), 5:26

WC “ Max Johnson 66 fumble return (kick failed), 3:32

Second Quarter

VC “ Elliott 1 run (Jade Olstad run), 3:12

Third Quarter

WC “ Sanford 1 run (kick failed), 8:12

WC “ Flatland 39 pass from Trey Jacobson (pass failed), 1:51

Fourth Quarter

WC “ Knudtson 3 run (Knudtson pass from Sanford), 8:54

WC “ Knudtson 1 run (Flatland kick), 2:40

VC “ Shane Ost 9 pass from Wayne Engelhard (kick failed), 1:37 Team statistics

VC WC

First downs 15 14

Rushes-yards 42-220 39-151

Passing yards 72 193

Comp-Att-Int 6-11-1 6-11-2

Fumbles-lost 1-1 0-0

Penalties-yards 6-55 3-30

Individual statistics

Rushing: VC “ Derek Elliott 21-117, Jade Olstad 8-49, Riley Adams 8-31, Wayne Engelhard 1-12, Marc DeLorme 3-11, Derek Kohler 1-0. WC “ Kirby Knudtson 24-100, Nolan Kalberer 2-43, Kalin Mogen 1-9, Kevin Sanford 10-5, Dillon Matson 1- minus 1, Trey Jacobson 1-minus 5.

Passing: VC “ Engelhard 3-3-0, 63; DeLorme 3-6-0, 9; Elliot 0-2-0, 0 yards. WC “ Sanford 5-10-2, 154; Jacobson 1-1-0, 39.

Receiving: VC “ Preston Meyers 1-34, Aaron Heck 1-20, Jacob Liebersbach 1-11, Shane Ost 1-9, Kyle Fogarty 1-3, Elliott 1-minus 5. WC “ Knudtson 3-92, Justin Flatland 2-63, Seth Dougherty 1-38.

Interceptions: VC “ Olstad, Kyle Fogarty.

Records: Valley City 11-1, Watford City 11-1.