Look Who Big Southeast Teams are Playing

The scenery is changing in high school football. A few years ago the Minnesota State High School League implemented district scheduling which led to some new opponents for some of the southern Minnesota teams right away.

The evolution of scheduling continues this year with the Big Southeast District seeing a new entry with Kasson-Mantorville joining the Blue Sub District, leading to a first-of-its-kind meeting between the Komets and Mankato East on Friday night. Several other teams from the old Big Nine Conference faced opponents they have never played on the grid iron before.

East beat KM 27-7 with a 20-point second half. Cougars quarterback Jared Grams threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. Kasson-Mantorville will also play John Marshall, Austin, Winona, Albert Lea, Mankato West and Faribault. The Falcons upset the Komets in the section playoffs in 2018.

New Prague pulled out an overtime victory against Byron in week one. After the Trojans went up 20-12 after a long third-quarter drive, the Bears scored to force OT. Byron, who is not a Big Southeast team, will play Faribault, Mankato East, Austin, Century and Winona nevertheless from the district. Byron is in the same section as several of those teams.

Red Wing faced Class AA powerhouse Caledonia to open their season. The Warriors hammered the Wingers 55-7. Noah King found his brother Eli on a pair of first-quarter touchdown tosses as the four-time defending state champs won their 55th straight game. Red Wing, who is a Big Southeast team, will play non-district games against Cannon Falls, Lake City, Lourdes and Zumbrota-Mazeppa.

Owatonna opened its title defense with a 44-7 win over Rochester Century. The Huskies rushed for a shade over 200 yards and threw for about 280. Listen to coach Jeff Williams game recap. OHS goes to Northfield Friday, September 6.

The Raiders scored first against Rochester Mayo on Friday, but the Spartans ran away with a 48-15 win. Penalties and turnovers plagued the Raiders.

Austin topped Faribault 19-12 in a penalty-filled game. The Packers scored on a 52-yard pass and 33-yard run.

Winona beat Albert Lea 33-7 on Friday at RCTC as Albert Lea awaits the completion of their new stadium. 'Hawks QB Jackson Bibbelink accounted for all the touchdown either by air or ground.

Mankato West poured it on early against Rochester JM Thursday and led 42-0 at the half on their way to a 49-14 victory. Quarterback Jack Foster threw four touchdown passes and ran in a score.

Sources: Northfield Daily News, Mankato Free Press, Rochester Post Bulletin, Red Wing Republican Eagle, New Prague Times