For the first time since 1993, Crow is headed to a football state championship game.
The Cougars are getting just their second trip to the state finals after an electric 45-39 victory over Elkton on Saturday afternoon at Cottage Grove High School in a game where 12 of the 18 second-half drives ended in a touchdown.
Cayden Hernandez was responsible for the only score in the first half, as the senior broke off for a 45-yard touchdown rush.
Early in the third quarter, Hernandez was able to escape again for a 47-yard touchdown as Crow took a 12-0 lead, it sparked a shift in the game as the first half was a defensive battle and the second half shifted into an offensive flurry.
After recovering a Crow fumble, Elkton was finally able to respond as Andrew Houx took the ball in for a 1-yard touchdown run.
Crow answered back immediately, as Hernandez took the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.
It took the Elks just four plays to get another score, as Talon Harvey broke off for a 34-ayrd touchdown.
The Cougars hit right back, as Hernandez ran for a 9-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a five-play drive with just under three minutes left in the third quarter.
On Elkton's next drive, Talon Harvey pulled in a 65-yard pass from Darwin Hudson for a touchdown. That was followed by a 24-yard rushing score by Hernandez as both teams continued to trade scores.
The Elks' next drive needed just one play, as Hudson connected with Houx for a 60-yard touchdown.
Crow's next drive was cut off as Landon Saddler picked off Brad Parker to give the Elks the ball back. Two plays later, Houx caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Harvey to make it a 33-33 game midway through the fourth quarter.
Crow was able to retake the lead with 3:22 left, as Hernandez scored on a 7-yard run to make it a 39-33 game.
But Elkton refused to go away. With 41 seconds left in the game, Hudson threw his third touchdown pass of the day with a 30-yarder to Carson Peters to knot it up at 39-39.
The Cougars' offense was able to finally get the win, as they drove down the field in 41 seconds and Hernandez found Levi Betts for a 47-yard touchdown reception at the final buzzer.
Hernandez ended the game with 270 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 23 carries. He also completed 4 of 7 passes for 66 yards and a score.
Hudson led the way for Elkton, completing 15 of 23 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Houx had six catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
Elkton's season ends with an 8-1 record. The Elks have never played in a football title game.