Quarterback Brayden Heiderscheidt rolls out to avoid the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton pass rush in the first quarter.

Defensive back Carson Uecker tries to catch up to a deep RTR throw as No. 17 Adam Steffensmeier covers the intended receiver. The pass was incomplete.

Adam Steffensmeier and Merrick Mathiowetz, left, move into position with the rest of the United defense in the first quarter.

Defensive back Tyler Mathiowetz locks in on RTR running back Tyson Burns before tackling him to end a big gain that went inside the United 10-yard line. RTR would score its first touchdown on the drive, putting them up 6-0.

RTR’s defense thwarted United’s rushing attack much of the night, here stuffing Gavin Fischer on an attempt.

United’s offensive line and backfield protect Heiderscheidt on a pass.

A pass to receiver Carson Uecker in the first quarter sails beyond his grasp. Sleepy Eye’s offense had little success moving the ball by air until late in the game.

With lineman Ethan Schwartz out front, running back Fischer breaks free on one of United’s longest plays of the game late in the first quarter. The roughly 30-yard gain put Sleepy Eye inside RTR territory but United would fail to score.

An RTR defender absorbs the impact while tackling running back Jacob Fulmer on Sleepy Eye’s drive.

Linemen Ethan Schwartz, left, and Emerson Johnson block on a running play early in the second quarter.

The United cheer squad performs for the crowd.

The home crowd watches as Merrick Mathiowetz is tackled on a run to the RTR 22-yard line. Sleepy Eye faced a 4th-and-2 on the next play, which went incomplete on a pass over the middle to Nick Tauer, leading to a turnover on downs.

Lineman Hunter Mertz catches his breath with the rest of Sleepy Eye’s defense while the officials discuss off-setting penalties during an RTR drive in the second quarter. RTR would soon score on a 28-yard touchdown reception.

Colten Thomsen puts the ball across the goal line for the 2-point conversion, making the score 14-0 RTR heading into halftime.

Nick Tauer, top, brings down an RTR player along with No. 74 Ari Krzmarzick, Keeyan Netzke (bottom), and Merrick Mathiowetz (obscured) in the third quarter.

Heiderscheidt lets a pass fly in the third.

Uecker awaits a punt deep in Sleepy Eye territory.

Lineman Jack Windschitl blocks on a play in the third quarter.

Nick Tauer, left, Ari Krzmarzick and Gavin Fischer tackle an RTR player.

Keeyan Netzke gets his fingertips on a pass over the middle but is unable to bring it down with less than seven minutes to go in the game. The incompletion led to a turnover on downs.

United got its best drive of the game going with just minutes left in the game, culminating in a long pass from Heiderscheidt that an RTR defender tipped, only for the ball to carom to Uecker (pictured). The receiver caught the ball and beat the last RTR defender to the endzone for a touchdown. Sleepy Eye’s 2-point conversion failed, however, and United was unable to recover its ensuing onsides kick.