MINNEAPOLIS — Grand Meadow senior Michael Oehlke thought his season was over when he hurt his knee in a 35-7 win over Spring Grove in the Section 1 9 man football title game Oct. 24, but luckily for him the Superlarks kept their season alive long enough for him to play one more contest.

Oehlke played offensive and defensive line on about half the plays for GM as they beat Underwood 34-20 for their third straight state championship.

“I thought it was over after Spring Grove,” Oehlke, a senior, said. “It meant the world to me to get back out on the field. When I went to the doctor last week and they said yes, it meant my whole week, my whole year and my whole football season.”

Oehlke had to watch from the sideline as GM won in the state quarterfinals and semifinals, but he was a big factor for GM on Friday. He was able to help the Larks hold off Underwood’s physical front throughout the day.

“It was tough to get used to it and get back in rhythm,” Oehlke said. “Even after two weeks it was tough, because your knee’s not even close to the same. It was easy to find the energy, but it was hard. They’re a very, very good football team.”