Owatonna Hosts Northfield Friday Night in Section Football Championship Game

Owatonna battles Northfield for the Section 1-5A championship Friday night at 7PM, with coverage on KRFO AM 1390 beginning at 6:30PM.

Owatonna (7-2) beat Northfield (7-2) on September 23. The Huskies defense held the Raiders to about 165 yards. OHS junior Abe Havelka took over at quarterback in the game and has started ever since. He was 12-for-26 for 120 yards and ran in a touchdown. Jason Williamson carried the ball 28 times for 185 yards and two scores.

The Raiders have made a change at quarterback since that game. Northfield is going with junior Lars Prestemon as the starter. He had been part of a rotation with senior Noah Johnson, who has moved to a receiver spot.

The winner advances to the state tournament on Saturday, November 12, at Lakeville North High School against the winner of the Apple Valley (6-3) and Park of Cottage Grove (7-2), who also play Friday night. All the Class 5A section finals are the same night.

Top-ranked Elk River (9-0) faces St. Michael-Albertville (8-1) in Section 6. The Elks won the head-to-head meeting 43-6 this season. The Section 8 final pits Alexandria (8-1) against Sartell-St. Stephen (6-3).

Mankato West (9-0) is ranked second in the state yet plays at top-seed Chanhassen (9-0) in Section 2. Another battle of unbeaten teams features Mahtomedi (9-0) against St. Paul Academy-Minnehaha Academy-Blake (9-0) in Section 4.

Andover (4-6) played Class 6A teams during the regular season and takes a losing record into the Section 7 title game with St. Francis (6-4). The Section 5 championship tilt has Robbinsdale Cooper (8-1) playing Spring Lake Park (9-0).

State quarterfinals are November 11 and 12 at various locations. State football semifinals will be at US Bank Stadium.