How Will Owatonna Football Respond to Adversity?

The Owatonna football team is facing adversity for the first time this season. After sending nearly every game through the first six weeks into running time and shortly after elevating to the top spot in the Class 5A poll, the Huskies dropped a 21-17 duel to Northfield Friday night in a battle of top-five clubs. Owatonna's starters had hardly, if at all, played in the fourth quarter leading up to Friday's encounter.

Afterward, OHS coach Jeff Williams said it was good for his team to play a good team. They have a short turnaround this week with the regular season finale on Wednesday October 18 at New Prague. The Trojans (2-5) have played several teams close, including a 24-6 loss to Northfield. Their wins have come over Red Wing and John Marshall.

Northfield secured the Red Division title of the Big Southeast District with the win over the Huskies and the top seed in the section. Owatonna should be the second seed and would open the playoffs at home on Saturday October 28. If the teams take care of business that night, a rematch with the Raiders will happen Friday November 3 with a trip to the state tournament on the line. Williams marveled at how many different sets and plays the Raiders ran and said OHS will need to clean up a few things if the potential rematch has any chance of having a different outcome.

Football schedule for Wednesday October 18:
Owatonna at New Prague, KRFO AM 1390
Blooming Prairie at Rushford-Peterson, Kat Kountry 105FM
Zumbrota-Mazeppa at Triton, KDHL AM 920
Lake Crystal-Welcome Memorial at NRHEG
United South Central at Medford
Faribault at Mankato East, Power 96
Rochester JM at Rochester Mayo
Northfield at Century
Mankato West at Red Wing
Austin at Winona