Big Southeast

The Big Southeast football season began with six blowouts, but the biggest news is the tragedy out of Austin, where a 14-year-old player passed away Saturday from complications from cardiac arrest according to the Austin Daily Herald.

The first day of the first Prep Bowl to be held at US Bank Stadium featured a pair of tight games and a blowout or two. Section 1 teams fared well.

Unbeaten and top-ranked Elk River is winning their games by an average of 48-12. They have done it with a deceptive running game and virtually no passing attack.

Sophomore running back Jason Williamson was named the Red Division Offensive Player of the Year. Thirteen OHS players earned All-District or honorable mention.

The Huskies jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead at Century, scoring nearly every time they had the ball. OHS won the Big Southeast, Red Division title with a 5-0 record.

Top 10 ranked squads Winona and Mankato West kept their winning streaks alive Friday night. The teams go head-to-head on Wednesday, October 19, in Mankato.

Mankato West whipped Rochester Mayo is a battle of unbeaten teams Friday 34-7 to improve to 5-0. Winona topped Northfield 24-14 to keep pace with the Scarlets.

Faribault had a chance to tie Mankato East on the final play and Century could have stunned John Marshall on its final snap Friday night. Each came up short.

Upcoming Owatonna opponents Northfield and Rochester Mayo improved to 3-0 Friday. Mankato West and Winona are also unbeaten on the season.

Owatonna pulled away from John Marshall in the fourth quarter for a 26-7 win. West rallied from behind against East in Mankato and held on for the 28-23 win Friday night.