Magic Hold Off Huskies for 7-6 Victory

For the first time since the 2017 season, Owatonna lost a regular season game. The Huskies came up just short 7-6 at Monticello. OHS attempted a game-winning field goal from around the 15-yard line on the final play, but the snap didn't get to the holder properly. Owatonna lost their regular long snapper to an injury earlier.

Monticello was a replacement opponent for the Huskies, who were supposed to play at New Prague, but the Trojans reported COVID on their roster. The Magic were originally scheduled to play St. Cloud Apollo. It was the first meeting ever between Owatonna and Monticello. The game was played on a four-year old turf field on the high school campus with a large video scoreboard.

The Huskies got the ball near midfield with 1:04 to play and no timeouts. They drove down the field with some short sideline passes and and a couple of runs by Tanner Hall. On a third down in the red zone, a run came up short of a first down with the clock around 10 seconds. The Huskies hurriedly got off a fourth-down snap and quarterback Brayden Truelson rushed to his left for a short gain.

It was initially ruled short of the first down, but a measurement gave Owatonna the first down. They sent the field goal unit on for the game-winning try. As the snap missed its mark, Owatonna holder Nick Williams got run over by a pair of Monticello players and the Magic wildly celebrated near midfield. The Magic (3-1) were coming off a close 14-0 loss to top-five ranked Rogers from week three.

Huskies coach Jeff Williams discussed the game on the AM 1390 KRFO High School Coaches Show Saturday morning. Click on the link below to hear him.

OHS football coach Jeff Williams

Owatonna scored on their second drive of the game, covering 76 yards in nine plays and about three-and-a-half minutes. Truelson connected with Connor Budach for a 13-yard touchdown. Budach made a great play to get around a defensive player after catching the ball near the OHS sideline. The extra point try was blocked.

Monticello's only score came on their first drive of the third quarter. The Magic went 65 yards in seven plays, using about three minutes. Speedster running back Sam Valor got to the edge for a 15-yard TD run. The extra point was good for the 7-6 lead.

A key call early in the fourth quarter resulted in a muff by the Huskies return team, leaving the ball in Monticello's possession. Owatonna coaches felt their return man was interfered with while making a fair catch call. Officials felt Owatonna's player touched the ball before being touched.

Linebacker/full back Matt Seykora left the game with an ankle or foot injury. He is the team's long snapper.

The Huskies (3-1) host Mankato West Friday, November 6 at 7 pm. In the second game of Friday's showcase at Monticello High School, Moorhead blanked Rogers 21-0 in a battle of top-five rated teams.