Both Stillwater and Richfield were undefeated with the state championship on the line.  Richfield came into the game touted as one the best high school teams to ever play the game in the state of Minnesota.  Parade Stadium was packed and the stands were filled on both sides of the field. There were 14,000 fans on hand, and at that time it set a single-game playoff attendance record. 

Richfield scored early and threatened to score often.  The Big Red's defense led by linebackers Al Schmidt and Dave Rogers, along with stellar play from seniors Jeff Rosell, Mark Nelson, and others, dug in and held the Spartans at bay.  Aided by strong secondary support from Joe Eichten, John Uppgren and Perry Montpetit, the Ponies trailed by seven at the half.  Running backs Todd Butterfield and Terry Richert ran for key yardage behind the aggressive Pony offensive line in the second half, while quarterback Mike Nolan kept the Spartan defense on its heels with options and quick releases to his receivers. Nolan completed only six passes in the game, but they were good for 124 yards.  His main target through the air was Bob de St. Aubin who caught five of those passes for 97 yards. 

On fourth down, the Ponies trailing 13-17 with only 18 seconds remaining on the clock, Butterfield took a toss from Nolan on what appeared to be a sweep play, pulled up, and hit de St. Aubin in the end zone for the winning touchdown.  The Ponies had their first ever State Football Championship - the fans were ecstatic, the town went wild, and the team enjoyed a police-escorted caravan through downtown Stillwater.