Photo by Rick Thompson: Humboldt players hoist the Highway 169 trophy after beating top-ranked Algona, 21-20, at Mason Maach Field on Friday night.

HUMBOLDT — Derrick Elman’s initial reaction to Friday night’s huge win for his Humboldt football team over No. 1 Algona was simple.

“I’m so proud of them,” Elman beamed.

The second-rated Wildcats (6-1 overall, 3-0 in Class 3A, District 2) went toe-to-toe with the Bulldogs (6-1, 2-1) in this year’s Highway 169 showdown — the 108th meeting between the two schools.

Humboldt held off a last-minute rally from Algona, as a Zane McIntire interception on a two-point conversion attempt sealed the deal at Mason Maach Field, 21-20.

“The guys played hard and played well,” Elman said. “They did their job and I’m so proud of them.

“Anytime you play a rivalry game, it’s a big win. To (come out on top) like that in such a tense and close (outcome) makes it special.”

It looked like a scorefest early on. Iowa State football recruit Alex Manske hit Evan Allie with an 80-yard touchdown pass that he threw about 45 yards. Allie did the rest over the final 35 yards for a 7-0 Algona lead.

Humboldt tied the contest at 7-7 on a nine-yard touchdown run from quarterback Coen Matson.

The rivals fought back and forth and played scoreless until the final two minutes of the half, when Cash McIntire recovered a muffed Algona punt inside the Bulldog 20-yard line.

It took the Wildcats six plays to reach paydirt, capped with a one-yard plunge from Matson.

“We had to take advantage of the little things, and it worked out for us,” Elman said. “In a moment like that we had to step up. We were ready to get the ball on the ground and we went up and answered.”

Algona wouldn’t go into the locker room quietly, as Manske would lead the Bulldogs on a 75-yard drive. The senior sent Algona into halftime at 14-14 with a 26-yard strike to Tate Slagle over the Humboldt coverage.

Manske was 8-for-13 for 159 yards in the first half. Matson was 7-for-11 for 90 yards.

On their first drive of the third quarter, Manske injured his throwing arm and left the game. His sophomore brother, Nathan, Manske took over the rest of the way.

“We came out of the half and struggled on our first drive,” Elman said. “We played with resilience, though. We talked about how we had to maintain drives, get first downs, move the ball and take time off the clock.”

Humboldt’s final score of the night came on a 3rd-and-17, when Cash McIntire ran around the end for a 27-yard trip to the end zone.

The Algona defense stiffened up with under four minutes remaining, as they stopped Humboldt on a short third-down play and got the ball back after the Wildcats turned the ball over on fourth and inches.

Nathan Manske then went to work, driving the Bulldogs down the field from their own 12-yard line.

With under a minute left in regulation, Manske hit Slagle at the 8-yard line. Slagle then pitched the ball to Allie, who jetted the rest of the way to paydirt on a hook and lateral.

The Bulldogs then decided to go for the win on a double-reverse pass, but the ball was intercepted by Zane McIntire in the end zone.

Algona attempted an onside kick that was recovered by the Wildcats, who kneeled for the victory.

The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 54-51-3.

“We felt like they would run some sort of run-pass-option,” Elman said. “The younger Manske came in for his brother and played well. We forced the throw and were there for the interception.

“Got the onside kick and kneeled on it.”