Even as it got colder outside, the Sargent offense stayed hot, and powered their way to a state championship, downing Howells 21-18 on Monday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Sargent got out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, and then led 21-6 at the end of the first half. Howells made things interesting in the second half, after getting a huge stop after Sargent elected to go for the first down on 4th and 1 from the 15 yard line.

Howells quarterback Mitch Belina found Brian Bayer for a 31-yard pass down to the Sargent 21 yard line, setting up a 1st and 10. Any hope of an apparent comeback by Howells ended when Belina was picked off by Sargent’s Kirby Pomplun at the goal line, setting up Sargent to run the clock out.

Sargent punted on a 4th and 6 from the Bulldogs own 19 yard line, but on Howells first play of the drive, Mitch Belina was picked off again by Tyler Viers at the 32 yard line, sealing the state championship win for Sargent.

Sargent’s win ends the streak of three-straight state championships by Howells and it marks the first state championship win for Sargent. Sargent ends the season at 13-0.