HUMBOLDT — Derrick Elman has been around high school football long enough to know when he sees something special happen.

Elman’s Humboldt team put the finishing touches on an unbeaten regular season here Friday night, downing North Central Conference rival Algona, 35-26.

“I’m so proud of our kids,” Elman said. “The way they’ve prepared and battled week in and week out. This is a special group of seniors.

“It’s hard to go nine games and win them all.”

Caden Matson, one of those seniors, was 14-for-21 passing for 195 yards with three touchdowns through the air, adding another 121 yards rushing and a score on 20 carries on the ground.

Will Orness caught five passes for 115 yards and a TD while Jacob Heier had four receptions for 45 and a score. Corey Dettmann hauled in the other touchdown from Matson.

Lance Coon ran for 45 yards and a score for the Wildcats, who won their first district title since 2012 and improved to 9-0 on the year.

On defense, Tanner McKimmey had eight tackles and a sack.

“I’m happy for our team, our coaches, our school and our community,” Elman said. “We are ready for the second part of the season.”

Colby Lane, Matson, Nolan Lammers, Sam Numedahl, Christian Alacala, Heier, Carson Berte, Jacob Pedersen, Joe Weydert, McKimmey, Ryder Wickett, Jace Baker, Tracen Troyer, Daniel Illg, Levi Newton, Jackson Fischer, Ben Kuehnast, Casey Westling and Hayden Holm are seniors who won 20 games over the past four seniors, including 14 in the past two.